Swedish CV format: how to write a CV for Sweden

Arbetsförmedlingen, the Swedish Public Employment Service, says one to two pages is sufficient and that you do not need to list everything you have done: focus on experience that is relevant to the job and adapt the CV to each application. Simple structure and clear headings help the employer get an overview quickly. Common headings are contact details, a summary, experience and education, plus your own headings for languages, computer skills or associations.

EURES adds that education and work experience should carry dates and appear in reverse chronological order, and that other attributes of interest, such as positions of responsibility, a driving licence and computer skills, belong on the CV too, alongside language skills and leisure interests.

With little work experience, show examples of collaboration and efficient work from studies or other activities. To build the summary around one advert, use the job-specific resume optimizer.^[1][2]

Sweden's Discrimination Act (2008:567) names seven grounds of discrimination: sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age. Ethnicity covers national or ethnic origin and skin colour. The Act says an employer may not discriminate against a person who is enquiring about or applying for work, and the Equality Ombudsman (DO) gives not being invited to an interview as an example of a disadvantage.

The Act also gives applicants a useful right: if you were not selected for an interview or the job, you can ask the employer for written information about the education, experience and other qualifications of the person who was.

None of this stops you sharing details voluntarily. EURES lists date of birth and possibly nationality among the usual personal details, and Arbetsförmedlingen's templates come with or without a photo. If you include a photograph, the agency says to choose one that looks professional.^[1][2][6][7]

EURES describes the usual written application as a personal letter with a CV attached, while noting that many companies use application forms on their websites and some have stopped asking for a letter. Read the advert to see how to apply. Arbetsförmedlingen says a good personal letter is at most one A4 page and complements the CV rather than repeating it: start with the job and why you fit, tailor it to what the employer is looking for, give examples of your personal qualities instead of clichés, and leave dates and details to the CV. The cover letter builder keeps the letter in the same design as your CV.

For references, choose two or three people who know you through work, never friends or relatives, and ask them first. Enclose certificates or testimonials only if the advert asks for them, and take copies to the interview. Send the CV and letter as PDFs, named for example "CV Forename Surname", before the last application date.^[1][2][3][4]

Arbetsförmedlingen runs Platsbanken, which it describes as Sweden's largest and most visited employment website. You do not need to register as a job seeker to search it, and its vacancies are also copied to the EURES portal. EURES points out that adverts are usually in Swedish, that many jobs are never advertised externally and that contacting an employer on your own initiative is common and usually seen positively. Recruitment agencies, company websites, LinkedIn and private boards such as Monster also list roles.^[1][5]