How to write a CV for jobs in Finland (with structure)

A recruiter usually skims a CV first and only then decides whether to read it properly. That is why clarity matters most: the reader should see straight away who you are, what you can do and why you would be useful in this particular job.

A clear Finnish CV usually has contact details, a short profile, work experience, education, skills and languages. Your name, phone number, email address and town are enough for contact details, and you can add a LinkedIn profile or portfolio if you have one. Hobbies, positions of trust and referees are optional, so include them only when they support your application.

Start with your name and contact details. Then write a profile of two to four sentences, for example: "Customer-focused sales assistant with five years of experience in grocery retail. My strengths are calm problem solving and onboarding new colleagues." Continue with work experience, giving the job title, employer, dates and main duties. Finish with education, skills and certificates such as a hygiene passport, and your languages with their levels.

List your experience in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first. A list of duties only says what the job involved, so also say what you achieved. "Responsible for customer service" is weaker than "Served around 60 customers a day by phone and email". Use numbers whenever they are true and you can back them up in an interview. Older or unrelated jobs usually need only a short mention.

Tailoring does not mean rewriting the whole CV, only changing the emphasis. Read the job advert and note the skills it asks for. Bring the matching experience forward in your profile and work history, and use the advert's terms where they describe what you can do. Cut details that do not matter for this role. The CV gives the facts, and the cover letter explains why you are applying for this job.

One or two pages is enough for most applicants. If you have little experience, one clear page beats two sparse ones. After a long career, condense your oldest jobs into a few lines. Longer CVs can be normal for researchers, doctors and other specialists, so check the custom in your field.

Your Finnish personal identity code does not belong in an application, and neither do your health, religion or family situation. Avoid exaggeration, because anything you write can be checked in an interview or with a referee. Also avoid small fonts, many colours and layouts that break when the file is opened. A photo is common in Finland but not required.

Make sure your contact details are up to date, your profile is written for this application and your dates are consistent. Proofread the text and ask someone else to read it too. Save the file as a PDF unless the advert asks for something else, and give it a clear name such as CV_Firstname_Lastname.pdf.

Write your CV in the language of the job advert unless it asks for something else. An English CV is often the default at international companies, while an advert written in Finnish usually calls for a Finnish CV.

Highlight your education, internships, summer jobs, volunteering and projects from school or hobbies. Explain what you learned and which skills would be useful in the job you are applying for.

Not always. You can name referees on your CV or say that you will provide their details on request. Always ask a referee for permission first.