[Job Title]
[Key responsibilities and achievements]
| Language | Spoken | Written |
|---|---|---|
| [Native Language] | Native | Native |
| English | Fluent | Fluent |
| [Finnish] | [Level] | [Level] |
Finnish applications are concise, factual and closely tied to the language of the job ad. This page explains the Finnish CV conventions and how to complete the printable template on this page.
The document is called a CV and is written in the language of the advertisement — Finnish for Finnish-language roles, Swedish where the ad is in Swedish, and English for international positions. One to two pages, reverse chronological, with month and year dates. Personal details are lighter than in Central Europe: contact information is essential, date of birth is commonly included, and a photo is recommended — Finnish CVs usually carry a small professional headshot, though it is not strictly required.
Expect the CV to be paired with a motivation letter (hakemuksen motivaatiokirje) unless the ad says otherwise, and be ready to provide references — either a "referenssit" line stating references are available on request, or named referees with consent. If you completed military service, list it as part of the chronology — it is a normal, expected entry for Finnish employers. Language proficiency is read carefully: state Finnish and Swedish levels separately, since both appear in workplace life.
Work through the template top-down: headshot and contact block first, then profile, then experience with exact month/year dates. Fill the Kielitaito table with real proficiency levels, add your military or civil service entry if applicable, and set the references block to "available on request" unless you have named referees' consent. Replace every [bracketed placeholder] and rewrite the sample bullets into results with numbers. Press Print / Save as PDF — A4 is pre-set on this page — and save as Etunimi_Sukunimi_CV.pdf. The resume builder holds an editable version of the same sections if you want to tailor it per application.
Mirror the job ad. Finnish-language ads require a Finnish CV; English-language international ads accept English. For roles where both languages appear in the posting, sending both versions — or a bilingual CV — is the strongest option.
Recommended rather than required. Finnish CVs commonly include a small professional headshot, and omitting it is unlikely to cost you an interview at most employers — but having one makes the document feel complete by local convention.
Have them ready. Writing "references available on request" is fine on the CV itself, but Finnish employers may ask for two named referees with contact details at offer stage — line them up and ask permission before sharing anyone's details.
If you completed it, yes — it is a normal dated entry on Finnish CVs, and recruiters read a gap during that period as expected rather than problematic. If you did not complete service, simply leave the entry out; it needs no explanation.