Why I Wrote This?
A lot of my friends asked me how to apply for jobs in Sweden — or how they should prepare their CVs. I realized this wasn’t just a one-time question. Almost every newcomer faces the same challenge: even if you have a solid background, the local job market often works differently than what you’re used to.
That’s why I decided to write this post. Not to just list rules or copy-paste recommendations from other websites, but to explain what I did, what I learned, and what people told me — including recruiters, colleagues, and friends who had already been working here. I started asking people, reading Swedish job boards, and talking to recruiters. I learned something that isn’t obvious until you’re deep in the process: writing a CV in Sweden is not just about information — it’s about context.
How Swedish Culture Shapes CVs
Swedish work culture is rooted in values like equality, modesty, collaboration, and trust. These values show up even in how people write and read CVs. It’s not just about what you say — it’s about how you say it.
We prefer when people write clearly and humbly. Don’t exaggerate.
Swedes appreciate modesty. Overselling yourself can feel off-putting here. You want to show confidence, but in a grounded, sincere way. This concept of balance is called “Lagom” — not too much, not too little. Just enough.
“We want to know what you’ve done, but also how you worked with others.”
Teamwork is essential. It’s important to highlight how you contributed within a group rather than only focusing on solo achievements. CVs in Sweden should reflect that collaborative nature.
“We care more about how your experience fits with our culture than how long your resume is.”
That means formatting matters less than clarity. Use a clean, simple design. Avoid visual clutter and creative layouts that distract. Stick to what’s relevant and easy to follow.
The ATS Filter: What No One Told Me Early On
What really surprised me was that my CV often wasn’t even being read by a human at all. Medium to large companies in Sweden usually use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). These systems scan your resume for keywords that match the job description. If those words aren’t there, your CV might not even be seen.
“Match your CV with the job ad. Otherwise, we might never see it.”
Once I understood this, I began tailoring each CV. If a job post mentioned “Terraform,” “CI/CD,” and “GCP,” I made sure those words were in my experience section — not just buried in the skills list. Tools like Jobscan helped me compare my CV to the job ad and improve my match rate. This shift made a huge difference in how many interviews I was invited to.
First: Every Country Has Its Own CV Style
One of the most helpful things someone told me early on was: “Don’t assume your CV from another country will work here.”
Each country has its own hiring norms. Even within Europe, expectations vary. Swedish CVs tend to be short, focused, and honest. Recruiters notice when something feels out of place or too foreign. For example, including too much personal information, or being overly formal or flashy, can be off-putting.
Choosing a CV Template
I used to love Canva templates. They looked great — until I realized many of them were hard to read and impossible for ATS systems to parse.
“Choose a layout that prints well and doesn’t confuse our systems.”
I started using minimal templates with no sidebars or icons. Clean formatting, clear headings, and standard fonts worked best. Swedish public services like Arbetsförmedlingen even provide standard templates that are widely accepted. Canva is still usable — but choose the most basic designs, and avoid using text boxes or graphics.
One of the templates I’ve personally used and recommend (with some adjustments) is the Blue Simple Professional Resume from Canva. It’s minimal, clean, and easy to adapt for Swedish standards. You can check it out here.
Another excellent resource is Arbetsförmedlingen’s CV examples, which reflect a very "Swedish standard" approach to formatting and content. You can explore them at arbetsformedlingen.se – write CV.
Personal Information: Only What Matters
In Sweden, less is more. You don’t need to include your birthdate, marital status, or number of children. It’s not just unnecessary — it can even be frowned upon.
“Just your name, email, phone, and LinkedIn are enough.”
A professional email address is essential. If your name is available, use it. If you have a GitHub or portfolio site that shows your work, include that too. Your location also matters — at least the city and country — especially if you’re already based in Sweden.
What About a Photo?
Photos are optional in Sweden. If you include one, it should be casual but professional — not a passport photo or a selfie.
“A nice photo is okay, but not necessary. We focus on content.”
If you’re in a creative or client-facing role, it might be a small plus. Otherwise, don’t stress about it.
Your Summary: The Human Introduction
This is your chance to introduce yourself. Swedish CVs often begin with a 2–3 sentence summary that describes who you are, what you’ve done, and what you’re looking for.
“Your summary should sound like how you talk. Keep it honest.”
Avoid buzzwords. Be direct. Say something like, “I’m a cloud engineer with five years of experience in automation and infrastructure. I enjoy solving problems and building reliable systems.”
Work Experience: Add Context, Not Just Jobs
Your work history should focus on impact, not just responsibilities. Include your job title, company name, location, and dates. Then explain what you achieved — in plain language.
“Tell us what changed because of your work.”
Use specific examples. Mention the tools you used, the problems you solved, and the results. Swedish recruiters appreciate detail, but only if it’s relevant.
Education: Keep It Clear
Education isn’t the most important part for most roles, but it still matters. Include your degree, school, field of study, and graduation year. If you did a relevant thesis or project, feel free to mention it.
“Education is helpful, but experience usually matters more.”
Skills: Group and Customize
The skills section should be structured and relevant. Instead of listing every tool you’ve ever touched, group your skills by category.
“Match your skills to what the job ad is asking.”
If you’re applying for a DevOps role and the ad lists Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD, make sure those appear clearly. Don’t just list “cloud platforms” — say AWS, GCP, or Azure.
Other Sections to Consider
If you’re multilingual, include a short language section. Say what languages you speak and at what level. If you have certifications like AWS, LPIC, or Docker, mention them too.
“Mention any open-source or side projects. We love that.”
Volunteer work, side projects, or freelance contributions can really help, especially if you’re changing careers or entering a new field. And if you’re not a Swedish or EU citizen, it’s smart to mention your visa status to avoid any confusion.
Final Thought: One Master CV, Then Tailor
One of the most useful habits I picked up was building a master CV — a big file with every job, skill, and project I’ve worked on. For each application, I create a copy and customize it based on the job ad. It saves time and ensures I always put my most relevant work first.
“You don’t need a perfect CV. Just one that makes sense to us.”
Your CV is your introduction. It’s your first impression. So make it honest, easy to read, and tailored for the Swedish market. If you do that, you’ll already be ahead of many applicants.
Quick Checklist
- Keep it to 1–2 pages
- Use a clean, readable template
- Skip personal details like birthdate or marital status
- Include only a professional photo (if at all)
- Write a short, clear summary
- Focus on impact in your experience section
- Match skills to the job description
- Mention location and visa status
- Save as PDF and check formatting before sending
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