European CV vs American Resume: Key Differences Explained

Every week I receive CVs from professionals who have adapted a document built for the US or Canadian market and sent it to a company in Spain or Portugal. It looks fine to them. It reads wrong to the recruiter on the other side.

I review CVs for European companies every day. Here is what actually needs to change.

Length

In the US, one page is almost always expected. In Europe, two pages is the norm for anyone with more than five years of experience. One page works for junior profiles. Three pages is almost never right unless you are in academia.

Every line should be there for a reason. Two pages of substance beats one page of filler.

Format and design

European CVs are cleaner. Columns, icons, heavy graphics, unusual fonts most hiring managers in Spain, Portugal and Greece do not expect these and some find them distracting.

ATS filters are also more common in European companies now. A heavily designed CV can fail the automated screen before a human ever opens it. Simple formatting is not boring. It is strategic.

Personal information

• Name and professional email: always.
• LinkedIn URL: yes, if your profile is in good shape.
• City and country, or your target city if you are relocating.
• Phone number with country code.
• Date of birth and nationality: not required anywhere in Europe. Leave them out.
• Photo: not required in Spain, Portugal or Greece. Personal preference.

The professional summary

American resumes often open with an objective statement about what the candidate is looking for. European CVs work better with a short professional summary: who you are, what you do, what you bring. Three to four lines, written for the role you are applying to.

Achievements, not responsibilities

This is where most CVs fall short, no matter which market they were written for. Listing what your job description said is not the same as showing what you did.

European recruiters want numbers. Not 'Managed a sales team' 'Managed a team of eight and grew revenue by 34% in 18 months.' The specificity is what makes it land.

Language skills

Far more important here than on an American resume. List every language you actually speak with an honest level: native, fluent, professional working proficiency, or a CEFR level if you have a certificate.

In Barcelona, Lisbon or Athens, a strong language section can be the thing that gets you the call over someone equally qualified.

What to cut before you send

• The objective statement.
• References available upon request assumed in Europe, takes up space.
• GPA or university grades unless you graduated in the last two years.
• Extracurricular activities from university unless you are a recent graduate.
• Full street addresses or zip codes.