Looking for an internship, ESC project, Erasmus+ mobility, or your first international job?
The Europass CV is your best friend. It’s the official, standardised European CV format used across Europe – clear, simple, and easy to read. Here’s how to create a strong one step by step. 💼✨
1. Start in the Right Place
Go to the official editor:
➡️ https://europa.eu/europass/
You can create your CV online, update it anytime, and download it as PDF.
2. Basic Information – Keep It Clean
- ✏️ Full name
- 🌍 Country & city (full address not always needed)
- 📧 Professional email (no nicknames)
- 📱 Phone (with country code)
- 🔗 Optional: LinkedIn or portfolio
No need for: marital status, religion, full home address, or irrelevant personal details.
3. Job / Opportunity You’re Aiming For
Right under your name, add a short “Desired position / Field” line:
- “ESC Volunteer – Youth Work & Community Projects”
- “Erasmus+ Trainee – Digital Marketing”
- “Master’s Applicant – International Relations”
This helps organisations understand your focus in one second. 🎯
4. Work Experience – Be Specific, Not Dramatic
List your experiences in reverse chronological order (latest first).
For each role:
- Dates (month/year – month/year)
- Organisation, city, country
- Role / position
- 3–5 bullet points with clear, concrete tasks & results
Example:
Supported social media campaigns, answered participant emails, helped coordinate Erasmus+ events for 80+ young people.
Use action verbs: Organised, Supported, Managed, Created, Coordinated, Led, Designed, Facilitated.
5. Education & Training – Show What Matters
Include:
- Degree / programme name
- Institution, country
- Dates
- Relevant courses, projects, thesis (if useful for the opportunity)
If you’re still studying, write:
“Ongoing – expected graduation: 2026”.
6. Skills – Make Them Real, Not Random
Use the Europass sections for:
- 💬 Language skills – be honest (B1/B2/C1 etc.)
- 🛠️ Digital skills – e.g. MS Office, Canva, CapCut, Google Workspace, social media management, basic coding
- 🤝 Soft skills – teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving
- 🌍 Intercultural skills – from exchanges, volunteering, international work
Always connect skills to real experiences. If you write it, be ready to prove it.
7. Volunteering & Non-Formal Learning – Big Plus ✅
Erasmus+, ESC, local NGOs, student clubs, youth councils: put them in!
Examples:
- “ESC Volunteering in Portugal – community activities, workshops, social media”
- “Youth Exchange on climate action – teamwork, public speaking, international cooperation”
This is often more important than classic work experience for youth opportunities.
8. Layout Rules – Simple, Professional, Easy to Scan
- Use max 2 pages (1 page is perfect for most students/young people)
- Use the official Europass layout – it’s already clean and accepted everywhere
- Use one font style, no crazy colours, no photos unless required
- Save and send as PDF
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Long essays – recruiters don’t have time
🚫 Copy–paste buzzwords with no proof
🚫 Unprofessional email (use name.surname format)
🚫 Old or wrong information
🚫 Grammar and spelling mistakes
Always double-check before sending.
10. Final Tip: Adapt for Every Opportunity
Do not send the same CV to everything.
- Highlight different skills for an ESC project vs. a research internship
- Move the most relevant experiences to the top
- Adjust your “Desired position / Field” line each time
Your Europass CV is a living document – update it as you grow. 🚀