Your CV should summarize your experiences and skills, significantly emphasizing those aspects that relate to the job. It provides a quick overview of who you are and what you have done, indicating for the reader what you could do.

Let everything you write be guided by these questions: what does this say about me and add to my application? Is it what the employer is looking for? Could this be said more persuasively or concisely? Can I evidence what I am writing or quantify my achievement?

Very little time will be devoted by a hiring manager to looking at your CV. Let that guide what you write and how you organize the information. Avoid using any words on your CV that do not achieve something. You want the reader’s attention to be completely drawn to the good stuff and not overwhelmed with information. A two-page CV is perfectly acceptable and what we recommend.

Europass can be useful if you want to be visible through EURES or other European job platforms. However, when applying directly to Danish employers, your CV should still be targeted, clear and easy to scan rather than simply sent in a standard template.

Today’s CV extends well beyond what you send to employers, to not just your LinkedIn profile but also professional information that can be found online. Danish recruiters often use LinkedIn, so make sure your profile supports what you write in your CV. A good CV can direct their attention to what you want them to see: LinkedIn, a portfolio, blog, example work, GitHub, publications or other relevant material.

If you are applying for jobs in Denmark in English, make your language skills clear. If a job is advertised in English, it usually means that English can be used in the workplace, but willingness to learn Danish will often be considered an advantage. If relevant, you can also mention whether you already live in Denmark, are relocating, or have the right to work in Denmark.

Producing a good CV is as much about doing things that are relevant to your career aspirations as it is about what you write. The more you can show that your experience is relevant to the role you are applying to, the better. Although preferable, you don’t have to have worked in the same industry to which you are applying. What skills and knowledge do you have that are relevant or interesting for the employer?

Customize every time!

Aim to create a common thread throughout your CV that fits with the requirements of the job to which you are applying, emphasizing features of your experience that match the position requirements. Try to keep a regularly updated record of all your experiences.

Read the job advertisement carefully and identify the keywords, especially the hard skills. In Denmark, recruiters often expect you to mention your most relevant professional skills early in the CV. This is also useful if the employer uses digital screening or AI-supported recruitment tools.

The right structure for your CV?

The structure of your CV is less important than whether it is clear and concise. When written well, a CV that is organized around your skills can be very effective. However, this can be difficult to achieve without unnecessary duplication of information and may leave the reader unclear about the journey you have. For students and young graduates we recommend the chronological style of CV. All CVs should give more information about your most recent experiences.

Use clear headings, simple formatting and standard terms for your education, experience and skills. Avoid hiding important information in graphics, icons or unusual layouts. Your CV should be easy to read for both a person and a recruitment system.

Focus on positive results

Your CV should explain the outcomes of your different responsibilities so the employer knows what you have achieved. The more specific and more quantitative the results you give, the better. You can also provide links to examples of your work and recommendations from colleagues.

If your previous employer, university, job title or project is not well known in Denmark, add a short explanation. This can help the recruiter understand the scale, context and relevance of your experience.

Add breadth to your CV with additional skills

It is worthwhile including additional “hard” skills you have developed if they are not explained in your responsibilities. This could be languages, software, methods, tools, certificates, analysis skills, project management, laboratory techniques, programming languages or other job-relevant skills.

You will likely have done something interesting outside of studying that will have developed you as a person. Include these things if they suggest a positive personal attribute, skills or accomplishment. You may well find that these are topics of conversation in the interview and help you build rapport. Avoid simply listing your interests, such as “reading, chess, baking”, if they add little to your application.

Personal details

Danish CVs may include a short personal section, especially if it helps the employer understand your situation, motivation or connection to Denmark. Keep it relevant and professional. Do not include unnecessary sensitive information, CPR number, passport number or other private details that are not needed for the application.

Be honest

Never lie, but do be persuasive, positive and confident. There shouldn’t be any gaps that might leave the reader with questions. If you used AI to help structure or improve your CV, make sure the final text is accurate, personal and based on your real experience.

Ready to make a CV?

Great - you can find a CV example here to get you started. You can also find advice on writing a CV for Denmark at Workindenmark. Good luck!