Do I need a photo on a European CV?

A photo is conventional in Germany, Austria, France, Spain, and Italy. Avoid including one in the UK, Ireland, and Netherlands to prevent unconscious bias.

How long should a European CV be?

1-2 pages for most candidates. Graduates should aim for 1 page. Those with 5-15 years experience: 2 pages. Very senior professionals: up to 3 pages.

Is a cover letter required when applying for jobs in Europe?

A cover letter is expected in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. In the UK and Scandinavia, a strong LinkedIn profile often suffices.

What is Europass and should I use it?

Europass is a free standardised CV from the European Commission. It works best for public sector roles; custom CVs perform better for private sector and tech positions.

How to Write a CV for European Employers: The 2025 Guide

By Laura Schmidt, Senior HR Manager & CV Writing Coach · Published 8 March 2026 · Updated 26 March 2026 · 2 min read

Summary

European CVs differ from US résumés in length, photo conventions, and personal statement requirements. This guide covers ATS optimisation and country-specific nuances.

1–2 pages maximum. Photos conventional in Germany and France; avoid in UK and Netherlands. A 2–3 sentence personal profile is expected by most European employers. ATS systems (SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, Greenhouse) used by most companies with 50+ staff.

How Do I Optimise My CV for ATS Systems?

Use standard headings. Avoid tables and text boxes. Use Arial or Calibri. Include job description keywords verbatim.

Step-by-Step Guide

Tailor CV for every application — include job description keywords
Keep to 1-2 pages (3 only for senior roles)
Use a clean ATS-friendly format: no tables, no text boxes
Include 2-3 sentence professional profile at the top
List experience in reverse chronological order with impact bullet points
Quantify achievements wherever possible
List languages with CEFR level (A1–C2)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a photo on a European CV?: A photo is conventional in Germany, Austria, France, Spain, and Italy. Avoid including one in the UK, Ireland, and Netherlands to prevent unconscious bias.
How long should a European CV be?: 1-2 pages for most candidates. Graduates should aim for 1 page. Those with 5-15 years experience: 2 pages. Very senior professionals: up to 3 pages.
Is a cover letter required when applying for jobs in Europe?: A cover letter is expected in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. In the UK and Scandinavia, a strong LinkedIn profile often suffices.
What is Europass and should I use it?: Europass is a free standardised CV from the European Commission. It works best for public sector roles; custom CVs perform better for private sector and tech positions.