Europass CV Format, Template & Structure (+ Tips)

Looking to land your dream job in Europe? A Europass CV can help showcase all your impressive skills and talents in a clear and understandable way to potential employers across the EU.

But, heads up: the Europass CV format differs from a typical British CV, which can be daunting. I’ve made a Europass CV example with essential tips on making such a CV to facilitate the whole process.

In this guide, you'll get an expert Europass CV template, discover who can benefit from utilizing the Europass CV editor, and explore the advantages and disadvantages of the Europass CV creator.

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Europass CV template & format

That’s a top-flight Europass CV template and example. Before heading to the guidelines, let’s define the Europass Curriculum Vitae for those unfamiliar with this format, especially if you're writing your first CV. 

What is a Europass CV format?

The Europass CV is a standardized CV format devised by the European Union to foster transparency and accessibility across the European job market. It helps job seekers present their skills and qualifications, while employers can understand the applications they receive and process them faster.

Besides a CV, Europass gives you an opportunity to create the following documents:

• Europass Language Passport that demonstrates your proficiency in different languages.
• Europass Mobility which highlights your educational experiences across Europe.
• Europass Certificate Supplement providing additional information about your qualifications and certifications.
• Europass Diploma Supplement describing your higher education in a detailed way. 

Who is a Europass CV for?

Europass is a platform that can be accessed by anyone interested in working or learning in the European Union. Whether you’re an EU citizen or from a non-European country, you can use the Europass CV editor to create a unified document for career opportunities.

There are some circumstances in which creating a Europass account will be particularly beneficial.

When to use Europass?

• When applying for a job in Europe: As mentioned earlier, Europass provides a standardized CV template that is familiar to many employers across European countries.

• When it’s expected: Some recruiters might explicitly state that they expect a Europass application from you. In such a case, you can either send your Europass documents to them, or share a link to your profile.

• When you want to save time and money: Setting up a Europass account is free of charge, and so is making a CV in the Europass tool. A Europass CV is built on a simplistic CV layout, and it’s really easy to make.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Europass CV format?

Though the Europass CV editor seems to be a quick and seamless solution, you might want to consider some of its drawbacks, too. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Europass CV format advantages and disadvantages:

Europass CV format advantages

• Versatility: Since Europass CV is based on a standardized CV template, it can be easily understood by employers, no matter your origin, employment record, or qualifications.
• Ease of use: Making a Europass CV involves a few steps only, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. If you’re not accustomed to creating CVs, you might consider it a great merit.
• Recognized in Europe: Europass CV is recognized and accepted across the whole of Europe, giving you a chance to apply for different jobs in various countries.

Europass CV format disadvantages

• Lack of customization: Using a typical Europass CV format doesn’t make your CV document noticeable. It might be a critical obstacle, particularly when you’re applying for a job in a very competitive industry.
• Limited usage: Though Europass CV is commonly known in Europe, it might not be accepted or preferred on other continents. 
• ATS-unfriendly: ATS software might not be able to scan Europass CVs, and hence, your application might be rejected at the earliest stage.

• Outdated format: Europass CVs are considered outdated. With constantly evolving job market trends and digital solutions at hand, creating a plain CV is considered cutting corners.

Nevertheless, in the next section, we’ll go through all the steps you need to complete to get your Europass CV clean and ready.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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How to create a Europass CV online?

To start creating a Europass CV, you need to go to the main Europass website and set up your free account. Once the account is created, you can start making your own Europass profile immediately. Creating a Europass CV is a 5-step process, and it is rather easy and intuitive.

Remember that, alternatively, you can make a European CV resembling a standardized Europass CV template using a dedicated CV builder.

Here’s how to craft a CV aligned to European standards:

1. Fill out your Europass CV personal information 

Europass CVs do not contain a personal statement (or a CV profile) at the top like traditional CVs used in the UK, and instead call for an attached cover letter. This means your CV is brief and more matter-of-fact.

To start, fill in the following personal details:

1. Full Address
2. Phone & Email
3. Website
4. Instant Messaging

It may be a good idea to list your Skype in the Instant Messaging field (make sure your Skype name is professional), as it will be cheaper and easier for European employers to contact you this way.

By ticking 'Additional Fields,' you can also provide data on your sex, date of birth, and nationality, although none of it is necessary.

Europass CV format: personal information example

2. Write your Europass CV job description

Since there is no personal statement on your Europass CV, you must use the work experience section to illustrate your merits as an employee. That's what makes a good CV.

First, pick your type of application and the job you are applying for. Enter the appropriate dates and employer details.

In the ‘main activities and responsibilities’ field, list 5 to 9 bullet points that outline your achievements and impact as an employee. Use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula to help. Start off with your strongest achievement and work down in order of importance.

Make sure not to repeat bullet points between jobs, as these Europass CVs can get long anyway. Focus on what you have deduced is important to the employer from the job advertisement, and provide numbers and evidence for your claims.

Writing a CV with no work experience? Focus on internships, volunteering, and transferable skills relevant to the new role.

Europass CV format: work experience section example

3. List education on your Europass CV template

Recording your education on a Europass CV is slightly more detailed than in a normal job application. Enter the dates, qualification name, and the equivalent European Qualifications Framework level for the qualification. 

Learn more about European Qualifications Framework levels on the European Commission site. GCSEs are EQF Level 3, and AS and A-Levels are EQF Level 4.

If you are a student, or fresh out of school, feel free to add bullet points in the ‘Main subjects / occupational skills covered’ field to describe how you excelled and what you achieved.

If you have several years of professional experience, only list your degree. Use more space to elaborate on your recent achievements.

See an example of the CV education section on a Europass CV:

European CV format: education section example

4. Make a list of your Europass CV skills

What else should you include in a CV? Definitely a list of skills. In the Europass CV, unlike in the standard UK CV outline, the skills CV section is broken up into languages and skills, like below:

1. Mother Tongue
2. Foreign Languages
3. Communication Skills
4. Organisational / Managerial Skills
5. Job-Related Skills
6. Digital Skills

For the Foreign Languages, you can choose your own self-reported proficiency, but remember to upload your certificate if you have one.

For the remaining 4 skills sections, try to break them down into this formula:

Skill: Example of achievement / metric demonstrating said skill

As mentioned earlier, Europass CVs can get long, and copying and pasting skill lists is unnecessary. Just elaborate on what you’re really good at.

You can also add extra sections by clicking Additional Information in the right-hand menu and include Certifications, Citations, Conferences, Courses, Honours and Awards, Memberships, Presentations, Projects, Publications, References, or Seminars sections in your Europass CV.

Europass CV format: skills section example

5. Upload your Europass CV attachments

A range of attachments must be uploaded with your CV for you to reap maximum benefits from this programme. Make sure you have the correct:

Diplomas / certificates

You should use each education entry to upload a supporting file, i.e., your transcript for your university entry and GCE certificates for your secondary education. You need either a certificate or diploma supplement to explain each of those to your employer.

Certificate supplement

A certificate supplement explains to your prospective employer what your education means. This certificate supplement is an appendix to your original certificate (such as GCSE) and is issued by the awarding body. It should be submitted together with the original certificate.

Diploma supplement

A diploma supplement informs your prospective employer what your higher education degrees pertain to, explaining the information in your transcript. It is issued by the same institution awarding the degree—your university.

Europass mobility

If you are going on an exchange between universities, schools, NGOs, or even two companies, contact the organisation sending you abroad and ask them to contact their National Europass Centre.

6. Prepare a compelling Europass cover letter

Every Europass CV is accompanied by a cover letter right there in the system. You have separate fields to enter your opening paragraph, main body, and closing paragraph. 

A cover letter is a great chance to stand out, allowing you to do some storytelling and focus attention on your achievements, which is important in the absence of a personal statement.

Follow this cover letter formula:

• Opening Paragraph (60-80 words)—List how many years of experience you have and provide the strongest argument for being the best candidate.

• Main Body (120-200 words)—Outline the 2-3 most important achievements you have had in your field.

• Closing Paragraph (40-60 words)—Display a genuine interest in the company and explain what you can do for them. Be confident and ask for an interview.

7. Double-check your Europass CV

To get a first-class ticket to the continent, make sure to check your Europass CV in preview mode, including all the dates and details. Plus, upload the appropriate attachments for your application.

Struggling to write an Europass CV? Consider using one of the free AI CV builders and best AI CV builders to help you create a similar CV structure. Or, you can always pay an experienced CV writer. Good luck!

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Did we answer all your questions on how to write a Europass CV? Got any job hunting tips and tricks you’d like to share? Did you find our Europass CV examples useful? Use the comments section below. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.