This guide is written in English for candidates applying to jobs in Sweden. Engineering, life-science and international product teams in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö frequently accept applications in English, whereas public-sector roles and many local companies require Swedish. Use the job advert and recruiter instructions to choose your application language.
Check the vacancy requirements before you start
Swedish job applications commonly pair a structured 1-to-2 page A4 CV with a short personal letter (personligt brev), although some employers now use structured screening questions instead of a letter. Check the portal before drafting.
| Decision | What to verify in the vacancy | Your preparation step |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Swedish vs. English requirement in the advert | Keep your CV and letter in the same requested language |
| Personal letter | Whether a personligt brev or screening form is used | Keep the letter under one A4 page focused on role fit |
| Dates & order | Reverse-chronological history with clear dates | Use consistent yyyy-MM or month-year ranges |
| References | How references (referenser) are requested | Wait to share referee contact details until the employer asks |
| Certificates | Whether degree certificates or work permits are requested | Upload only requested files and keep official credential names |
Structure a factual A4 CV and concise personal letter
Swedish hiring managers look for clear, unexaggerated descriptions of your responsibilities, team collaboration and measurable outcomes. List your work history and education in reverse-chronological order on A4 paper, keeping titles, employer names and dates accurate.
Preserve the exact names of your university degrees and professional certifications. For broader cross-border formatting comparisons, see our international job application guide and preview the chronological classic template.
Same story. A little more breathing room.
Switch the layout. Watch how spacing and hierarchy change the way this sample reads.
Alex Morgan
Product designerProfile
Product designer focused on making complex workflows easier to understand.
Experience
Product Designer · Example Studio
- Mapped the onboarding journey with the support team.
- Designed and tested a clearer account setup flow.
- Documented reusable components for the engineering team.
Skills
Interaction design · Prototyping · Design systems
Everything is asking for attention.
Closely packed headings and text leave fewer visual signposts. Try the other treatment.
Protect personal data and state language skills accurately
Do not include your Swedish personal identity number (personnummer) on a CV, and do not list private contact details for your referees without their permission and an explicit request from the employer. Photographs and marital status are unnecessary in most Swedish hiring processes.
List your Swedish, English and other language skills honestly using CEFR levels or clear proficiency descriptions, without turning basic comprehension into professional fluency.
Inspect your exported files and application form
Open your final PDF files and verify that your name, dates and role titles match across your CV, your personligt brev and the online portal fields.
Use the PDF text check to inspect the text extracted from your PDF in your browser, and check the employer’s application form fields before submitting.
Your experience. A fresh canvas.
Try a different look. These are actual Guul template previews, with illustrative sample content.
Let the details do the talking.
A traditional, text-led layout for a detailed career story. Review the smallest text at normal zoom.
Make this layout yours ↗The builder opens with your selected template.Replace all sample details with your own experience.Explore the resume lookbook →