Writing your CV

The first person to read your CV usually has little time. They want to know three things quickly: What have you done? What can you do? When can you start? If your CV answers those questions on the first page, you have done most of the work.

A structure that works

In Austria, a tabular CV is standard. Your most recent position goes at the top.

1. Personal details: name, phone number, email address, town. A full street address is not needed.
2. Short profile (optional): two or three sentences on who you are and what you are looking for. For example: “Experience in warehouse logistics, forklift licence, happy to work shifts. Looking for a full-time job near Graz.”
3. Work experience: dates, company, location, your position and two to four tasks underneath.
4. Education: school, apprenticeship, courses, each with dates and qualification.
5. Skills: languages with level, driving licences, forklift licence, computer skills, machines you can operate.

A photo is common in Austria but not required. If you use one, choose a recent, friendly picture against a plain background.

Describe your experience so people understand it

“Production worker” says very little. What did you actually do? Compare:

• Weak: “Worked in production”
• Better: “Operated two packing machines in a three-shift system, carried out visual quality checks, recorded output figures”

The second version shows that you know shift work, can handle machines and work carefully. That is exactly what production employers want to know.

Jobs from other fields count too. If you have worked in a restaurant, you know time pressure, weekend shifts and teamwork. Say so.

Be honest about your language skills

State your German level using the Common European Framework (A1 to C2). If you have no certificate, assess yourself honestly and write something like “German: good in everyday situations, around B1”. An inflated level shows up immediately in an interview. An honest one makes you look reliable.

Gaps in your CV

Gaps are normal. Parental leave, moving, job hunting, caring for a relative, training: write a short line about what you did during that time. Unexplained gaps raise more questions than a short explanation.

Readability

• Two pages at most.
• A clear font, size 10 or larger.
• The same date format throughout, for example 03/2022 – 08/2024.
• Save it as a PDF so nothing shifts.
• Use a sensible file name: “CV_Firstname_Lastname.pdf”.

Checklist before you send

• Phone number and email address are correct and you can be reached
• Most recent job is at the top
• Every job lists two to four specific tasks
• Your German level is stated
• Driving and forklift licences are mentioned, if you have them
• No spelling mistakes (ask someone to read it)
• The file is a PDF and is not called “Document1”

If you apply through us, a CV in PDF or Word format is enough. You do not need a cover letter for an open application, but a few sentences in the “experience” field help us understand your background.