Language
As when you are applying for a job in any non-English speaking country you should write for the person reading your CV. For roles in Italy this means either writing the cv in Italian or alternatively having it translated for you. If your Italian is not at a high level of proficiency then it is best to ask someone to go through the finished document for you to identify any errors. Preferably this will be a native Italian speaker.
Length
CVs for Italian roles are generally quite short – two pages maximum. Within this it has to include your personal details, qualifications, career history and other relevant information, so you must keep your descriptions concise. Avoid flowing, flowery paragraphs at all costs!
Photographs
Unlike CVs for some other European countries, such as Germany or Spain, photographs are generally not included when applying for positions in Italy.
Personal Information
This includes your: first name, surname, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, marital status, number of children, address, telephone number (with international dialing code), email address, LinkedIn URL and whether you hold a driver’s license. If you have served in the military (including with the Territorial Army), you should also include this information.
Education
Write in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and include the name of the institution, location, dates of attendance, area of study (including your thesis, if applicable), marks achieved and degrees. Also mention any awards or recognition you received. It is sensible to include the Italian equivalents of your qualifications, as it will help to provide some context. The ‘Education’ section can also be used to include your languages (skill level for both oral and written).
Career History
Again, put your most recent job first and specify the name, location and major focus of each employer. Then state your job titles, dates of employment and key responsibilities. Also emphasise any other achievements and particularly any international experience.
Additional Information
Italian employers are sometimes quite interested in leisure activities so it is worth including a section on this. Describe your personal interests, but do so in a way that is interesting to the reader. Avoid just listing activities and instead provide some detail that will add flavour to the description e.g. ‘œI enjoy keeping fit through cross-country running and have participated in two marathons to raise funds for a children’s hospital’.
Data usage
Italian law allows companies to use your personal data and you will usually have to agree to this. At the end of your CV therefore include a note mentioning the law (675/96) and indicating that you are happy for your information to be used in accordance with this legislation. Finish by including an electronic signature.
Cover letter
Employers will also expect your cv to be accompanied by a cover letter, setting out your suitability for the role and answering the key questions:
- Why you want to work for this company?
- Why you can do this particular job? (focusing on your skills, experience and knowledge)
- How your career path has brought you to the point of applying for this vacancy and what your goals are?
Good luck!