How to Write your CV and Cover Letter in Italy

So, you've been dreaming about La Dolce Vita in Rome, fashion shows in Milan or student life in Bologna for years and now you've just started looking and applying for the perfect internship online?

Well done!

Now, it's time for Mission no. 2. Writing a winning CV can be a rather challenging mission, especially when you don’t exactly know what is expected of you. European, and particularly Italian CVs are very different from those of other countries.

It's not just about the language you write your CV, in fact, most recruiters will ask you an English version of your CV, but you will need to keep in mind that what Italian recruiters are looking for is not what other recruiters look for.
This is why we collected the best tips to write the perfect CV to land a job in Italy

Qualifications

Qualifications are different from country to country, so if for applying for a job in England you can simply write that you achieved a “2:1” or “First,” in Italy, you must write the actual final mark rather than the overall grade. Usually, if someone doesn’t put down their final grade, it probably suggests they got a low score.

Keep it professional

Recruiters elsewhere in the world may actually be interested to read about your passion for cooking and your interest for sci-fi, but in Italy hobbies and passions should be kept minimal unless they are relevant for the job you are applying for. If that's not the case, keep them short and put them in a section at the bottom of your CV.

Nationality

In recent years, many countries, including the UK and the US, have implemented the Employment discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination based on race, colour, or nationality/citizenship. However, employers - including Italian employers - are primarily interested in the eligibility of work (e.g. visa, work permit, etc.). If you don't want to include your nationality but you are from the EU, you could simply add "eligible to work in Italy" if that's your case. If you are an international student and your Visa only allows you to work 20 hours per week, clearly state this eligibility for employment in your CV.
Example: “Nationality: Canadian, Eligible to work part-time in Italy for up to X hours.”

Photo

While it’s not always necessary to include a photo, if you do decide to attach one then it should be a formal passport photo. Forget those bikini or drunk shots you have on your Facebook profile and remember that a natural background looks less messy.

Keep it sweet and short

While most Italians still use the awful European Standard CV, you should totally forget about it and make it nice and short. Ideally, it shouldn’t exceed two pages – when you have around 10/15 years of work experience - and definitely less (one page) when you've just left uni.
Remember: in Italy, recruiters and employers are more interested in actual work experience than skills you think you have, so state all your previous jobs instead of telling them what you can do.

Parli Italiano? Do you Speak Italian?

Since there are no formal certificates of proficiency of Italian, you should just state your level: Fluente (fluent), Buono (good) or Discreto (moderate).
Remember: be honest; you'll get caught sooner or later.

Keep the cover letter (short and) relevant

Many English-speaking countries' employers won’t even consider a candidate unless they attach a decent cover letter, but in Italy, the cover letter is almost optional. Sometimes it takes the form or the email you attach your CV to.
The purpose of the letter of application or cover letter should create interest to push your recruiter to get in touch with you and eventually book you in for an interview. Therefore, your cover letter shouldn't include the same information that is provided in the CV. While keeping it brief, you should state - in a formal language - why you are interested in that job and company. Moreover, don't tell it all, keep something for the interview since in Italy, information is better received in verbal form.

References are not crucial

Italian employers don't expect to find references in your CV, however, it's a good idea to include two names of referees with their contact details, if you wish to.

Your Privacy

Ultimately, in order to allow a potential recruiter to contact you, you need to obey to the Italian privacy laws, by stating you authorise them to use your personal data. Add this statement at the bottom of your CV: "Autorizzo il trattamento dei miei dati personali ai sensi del D.L. 196/2003 ( which means: I agree to disclose my personal information according to the law 196/2003.)"

WRAPPING IT ALL UP:

An Italian CV is generally similar to other countries CVs in layout but it should include the following information:

Personal and contact information (address, contact details including email, and date of birth, nationality and eligibility to work);
Education, including qualifications and final grades;
Work experience (all of them, including internships) in reverse chronological order;
Languages, computer Skills & other skills VS passions and hobbies.

And now! Go for it! Just remember that living in Italy will ruin your life forever!!