April 16, 2025

How to write an effective curriculum vitae

Finding a job always starts with a well-structured curriculum vitae (CV), since it is your calling card, the element that determines the first impact an employer will have on you. For this reason, your CV should be clear, professional and in line with the standards of the market where you would like to start working. But remember, in some countries, like Italy, there are certain peculiarities in the format and structure that it is important to take into account. First, the CV should be concise but complete, preferably not exceeding two pages. Remember, recruiters take 10 seconds to review a CV! Then use bullet points to create well-defined sections and strategic spaces to make reading easy and fast. Here are the key points to create an effective CV.

Personal data and contact details

At the top of the document it is essential to include first name, last name, phone number, email and, if relevant, link to LinkedIn or an online portfolio. If you have a well-done LinkedIn profile, adding it to your CV might be a way to show recruiters extra details that don’t fit into the document.

Short presentation

Dedicate a few lines to your motivations: why did you choose this job in health care? Why do you want to work in this hospital? Remember to customize your CV according to the position, using the keywords contained in the job advertisement.

Professional photo

In Italy, for example, the photo is not mandatory, but it is often required or appreciated. If you decide to insert it, make sure it is formal and of good quality. Many Italian employers find it useful to see the candidate’s appearance, but avoid casual or unprofessional images.

Work experience

It means the experiences in reverse chronological order (from most recent to least recent), specifying role, company, period and main responsibilities. Remember that recruiters receive hundreds of requests for each ad and that it is therefore essential to stand out from the crowd and capture attention. Avoid simply describing your experiences: instead use impact microstories that give concrete facts.

Training

Enter your studies, highlighting relevant degrees and specializations. In Italy, there is a tendency to focus also on complementary training such as refresher courses, certifications and masters.

Technical and soft skills

As already mentioned, it is essential to study the job advertisement well and identify the keywords used. Make them your own and reuse them in your resume to mention your technical skills (hard skills). In addition to job-specific skills, it is useful to mention soft skills. Soft skills such as the ability to work in teams, problem solving, leadership and communication are particularly valued in the Italian selections.

Spoken languages

Specifies the level of knowledge with clear references such as the European framework (e.g. B2, C1, etc.). Knowledge of Italian is important for many positions, but the fluency of other languages, especially English, is a great plus.

Authorisation for data processing

In Italy it is necessary to add a statement for privacy, such as: "I authorize the processing of personal data pursuant to D.Lgs. 196/2003 and GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679)". This authorization is an integral part of the Italian CV and is required by law.

Double revision

A typo can cost you dearly! Misspelling a word, in fact, could communicate to the recruiter a lack of interest towards this opportunity, or worse: imagine you make a mistake in entering your contacts. This oversight could prevent the interested recruiter from contacting you, which would end up costing you a great opportunity. Before submitting your CV, check several times that everything is correct.

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