CV - Sweden

The "Curriculum Vitae" (CV) or "resume" is where your work and other relevant experience is laid out in a more outline-type form. Along with the cover letter (which is more literary and personal), it should clearly show any interested employers exactly what they can expect from you and why they should hire you! The presentation and content of CVs vary by country as well, so take into account the following notes we have prepared for you.

Heading: Curriculum Vitae or Meritförteckning
You normally use a heading for your CV. In Swedish a CV can be called both Meritförteckning and CV, though nowadays CV is the most commmonly used.

Personal Information:
The personal information is usually only your name and surname/s, Address, Contact telephone number/s, fax and email. This doesn´t need a heading on its own and is often just written on the top of the CV (see example).

Professional Experience (Arbetserfarenheter):
Company name and sector. Dates, duties, achieved goals, etc. (use the order that is better for you depending on the experience you want to emphasize: from the oldest to the newest, or vice versa).
Read more about the two ways of organizing your work experience in these two kinds of resumes:

• Chronological resume
• Functional resume

Studies (Utbildning):
List all levels of your studies. Title, place, city, dates of studies (it's better to list these in a chronologically inverse order). Under this section you can also include courses, seminars, congresses or conferences that are relevant in relation to the position. Long or prestigious courses are also interesting. Point out its duration in hours. Do not write down the ones that are not relevant or not recent.

Languages (Språk):
Which ones and what is your level: high, medium or low. Point out if you can translate, speak or write. Say which titles do you have, if any.

Computer Skills (Dator erfarenhet/färdighet):
Programs, applications, etc. Word processing, database, Internet, etc.

Miscellaneous (Övrigt): (optional)
Other relevant information that you don't know where to put, such as geographic and job mobility, driver's license (pointing out the category), having a car, etc. Explaining your hobbies is something that you usually don't do because that's something which tends to come up on the personal interview.

Other things to keep in mind

• It must be short. One or two pages at the most.
• Print an original copy for each application, with high quality paper.
• Be neat: take care of the presentation, design, spaces, spelling, don't use abbreviations, emphasize the sections and things that are important by underlining or using bold type, etc.
• Make sure your CV is organized, so the information can be found easily.
• Do not sign your CV.

• Make a different CV for each job you are applying to, in order to adapt it to their needs.
• It is not customary to attach a picture to your application.
• Write it with the third person of the singular form.
• Give emphasis to your qualities without lying.
• If you have finished the military service, say it. If not, just don't say anything.
• Do not attach diplomas or documents unless they ask for it.
• Attach a cover letter with the CV.
• If you have studied abroad, don't forget to mention it!
• Apart from your previous employments and education, you can add volunteer work, language skills, work you've done for specific organizations and so on. You can also write about your responsibilities on each job.
• You can either start with your education or your previous work experience depending on which order will stress your capabilities and experiences more. If you are a recent graduate you would probably want to put education first since you might not have so much work experience yet.
• After education and work experience, add more personal information which will show what kind of person you are and anything that might appeal to them depending on what they are looking for. (For example, if you are applying for a job with flexible hours and lots of traveling, tell them you're single and love to travel if it's true!)
• End with your references. Most people give references but only if they are sure they will most likely be positive. Some people choose to just say that references can be given upon request. (That way your references will only be contacted if you are really being considered for the job.)
• And finally, check the whole CV again.