Europass CV: European CV Template & Format Examples (2024)

What is the best way to apply for a European job with people who don’t know what GCSEs are? A Europass CV.

A Europass CV enables you to present your qualifications, skills and competences in a way understandable for any EU citizen. The five documents it combines help potential employers understand your background, your training and your potential.

However, once you end up in the Europass Builder, it can get overwhelming. It is a slightly different format from a common British CV, and requires a slightly different approach. Here’s a Europass CV example and tips on how to make a great Europass CV.

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Europass CV template

That’s a top-flight Europass CV example. Let’s get started on your own.

1. Fill out your Europass CV personal information

Europass CVs do not contain a personal statement at the top like our traditional CVs, and instead call for an attached cover letter. This means your CV is more matter-of-fact. Cold hard facts.

To start off with, 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 the name of it is professional), as it will be cheaper and easier for European employers to contact you than by phone.

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 personal information

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. 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, make a list of 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 advertisem*nt, and provide numbers and evidence for your claims.

Europass CV example — work experience section

3. List your education on your Europass CV

Recording your education is slightly more detailed than in a normal CV. Enter the dates, name of qualification, 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, 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.

Europass CV example — education section

4. Make a list of your Europass CV skills

The Europass CV skills section is broken up into languages, and skills:

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 will be able to 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

These CVs can get long and there is no need to copy and paste skill lists. 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 add Certifications, Citations, Conferences, Courses, Honours and Awards, Memberships, Presentations, Projects, Publications, References or Seminars sections to your Europass CV.

Europass CV example — skills section

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, your GCE certificates for your secondary education. For each of those, you need either a certificate or diploma supplement to explain them 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 explains to your prospective employer what your higher education degrees pertained to, explaining the information in your transcript, and is issued by the same institution awarding the degree—that is, 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. Write a 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, and allows you to do a bit of storytelling and focusing 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 the strongest argument you have for you 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 genuine interest in the company and explain what you can do for them. Be confident and ask for an interview.

7. Check your Europass CV one last time

To get a first-class ticket to the continent, make sure to:

• Check your Europass CV in preview mode, check all the dates and details.
• Upload the appropriate attachments for your application.

That’s how easy getting the Europass is. Bon voyage!

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.