Writing a CV

Make sure that your CV is good enough and interesting enough to get you to the next step in the recruitment process – the job interview. Below are some tips on how to create a CV that works. Get started quickly with our free CV templates.

Free CV templates

Many companies and organisations offer neat, modern CV templates. For example, if you Google CV template or free CV template, you will find many good suggestions.

Arbetsförmedlingen has three CV templates that you can download and adapt. Replace the text in the templates with your own. Choose the template that best matches the look of your personal letter.

Download any template for CV

CV template green with photo

CV template, green with photo docx, 1 MB.

CV template with green header where you can put in a photo of yourself. In the CV template, we give some examples of headings and how you can list your work experience and education and training.

CV template blue

CV template, blue without photo docx, 76 kB.

CV template with blue accents without photo. In the CV template we give some examples of headings and how you can list your work experience and education and training.

CV template simple

Simple CV without photo docx, 74 kB.

A simple CV template without photo, with examples of headings and how to list your work experience and education and training.

Matching templates for personal letters

Writing a CV – what to do

In your CV you describe the experience, knowledge and personal qualities that you wish to highlight. Do not forget to adapt your CV to the job you are applying for. Focus on experience that is relevant for the job. In other words, you don’t need to list everything you have done. 1–2 pages is sufficient for a CV.

A simple structure and clear headings help the employer get a good overview quickly. There are various ways to structure a CV. The structure you choose will depend on what job you are applying for, and how you want to present yourself. Some common headings in a CV are:

  • Education. As well as writing the school’s name and what subjects or courses you studied, you can also briefly describe the content of the programme/course.
  • Experience. Jobs, work experience, internships, and other things that might be relevant for the job you are applying for. If you have little work experience, you could instead give examples of things you have done that show your ability to collaborate and work efficiently, or that demonstrate other personal qualities that you wish to highlight.
  • Contact details. Other than your telephone number, email address, and postal address, you can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or your website, if you have one. If you include a photograph, make sure to choose one that looks professional.
  • Summary. Here you can summarise your experience. A brief summary increases your chances of grabbing the employer’s attention quickly.

You can include things other than jobs and education in your CV, such as other languages you speak or computer programmes you are proficient in, etc. Include these under their own headings such as Language Skills, Computer Skills, Associations, etc.

Having trouble getting started? Use Chat GPT or another AI tool. Here's what you can do with the tools:

  • Ask AI to come up with a text suggestion if you need inspiration.
  • Ask AI if the text you have written is clear and easy to read and if it highlights your strengths in a good way.
  • Let AI check your word choice, spelling, and grammar if you are unsure about anything.

Remember to always read through the suggestions you receive and make the text your own. Employers often use a recruitment system with built-in AI support, and there is a risk that your text will be rejected if it is entirely AI-generated. It is also important that you always save your text in Word or as a PDF so that it can be read correctly.

Checklist for writing a CV

  • Always double-check the spelling.
  • When sending in your CV and personal letter by email, always send them as PDFs. You could, for example, name your files “CV Forename Surname”.
  • Submit your application in time – always before the last date for applications.
  • Always send in your CV with a personal letter and remember that the appearance of the documents should match.
  • If you are a member of a trade union, they often offer CV support. Check with your union.

Want to know more?

Here you will find more information that we hope will inspire you.

60 seconds about CV

webbinar
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59 seconds

This is what a CV should contain.

More on play

On play, you will find more films, podcasts and webinars that may be of interest and provide you with valuable information.

Learn more about CV, application and job interview (some videos are subtitled in English)