Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2002 on a common European format for curricula vitae (CVs) (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2002) 516)
Date: 2002-03-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: dissemination of information, document, information medium, job application, professional qualifications, vocational training

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Official Journal of the European Communities

22.3.2002

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 11 March 2002

on a common European format for curricula vitae (CVs)

(notified under document number C(2002) 516)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2002/236/EC)

(6) Whereas the National Resource Centres for Vocational
Guidance (NRCVG) should, as a part of their designated
work on promoting vocational guidance and counselling
at national and European level, assist in the dissemina-
tion of the CV format.

(7) Whereas the EURES network, as part of its services to
jobseekers, maintains an electronic CV (EURES CV-
search) reflecting the same structure as the common
European format for CVs,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS:

1. The common European format for curricula vitae (CVs) as
set out in the Annex should be available for use by citizens
on a voluntary basis when communicating details of their
to employers and to
qualifications and competences
providers of education and training in their country of
residence and/or abroad.

2. Member States

the
common European format for curricula vitae so that it is
widely known and available to citizens.

should promote

and disseminate

Public employment services, the social partners and non-
governmental organisations
the
common format available to their members, be they individ-
uals, enterprises or other organisations, and to promote its
acceptance as a useful tool.

invited to make

are

3. The Commission will, by the end of 2004, carry out an
evaluation of the common format for curricula vitae and of
how the scheme has been implemented.

The Commission will,
necessary, recommend changes to the format.

the evaluation shows it

if

to be

Done at Brussels, 11 March 2002.

For the Commission

Viviane REDING

Member of the Commission

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Articles 149, 150 and 211
thereof,

(1) Whereas the Council Resolution of 3 December 1992
on transparency of qualifications (1) invites the Member
States to take steps to increase the visibility of qualifica-
tions and competences through the introduction of a
common format for the presentation of individual skills
(portfolio), a part of which should be a common format
for CVs.

(2) Whereas the Presidency conclusions of the European
Council held in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000
requested that a common European format be developed
for curricula vitae (CVs), to be used on a voluntary basis,
in order to facilitate mobility by helping the assessment
of knowledge acquired, both by education and training
establishments and by employers (2).

(3) Whereas the Recommendation of the European Parlia-
ment and Council of 10 July 2001 on mobility within
students, persons undergoing
the Community for
teachers and trainers (3)
training, young volunteers,
underlines the need for a common European format for
CVs, to help individual citizens communicate their quali-
fications and competences in an efficient and trans-
parent way.

(4) Whereas the Communication from the Commission on
Making a European Area of Lifelong Learning a
Reality (4) underlines the role to be played by a common
European format for CVs in promoting the transparency
of qualifications and competences.

(5) Whereas the Communication from the Commission to
the Council entitled ‘New European labour markets,
open to all, with access for all’ (5) requests the develop-
ment of an electronic CV system, to be maintained by
the European Employment Services (‘EURES’), and a
common European format for CVs.

(1) OJ C 49, 19.2.1993, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 73, 23.3.2002.
(3) OJ L 215, 9.8.2001, p. 30.
(4) COM(2001) 678 final.
(5) COM(2001) 116 final.

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ANNEX

Common European format for curricula vitae (CVs)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

1. The common European format for CVs is a resource for the systematic, chronological and flexible presentation of

individuals' qualifications and competences.

2. It is available in an easily accessible electronic form, as well as in a paper version. The CV format includes categories

for the presentation of:

(a) information on personal matters, language proficiency, work experience and educational and training attainments;

(b) additional competences held by the individual, emphasising technical, organisational, artistic and social skills;

(c) additional information which might be added to the CV in the form of one or more annex(es), and guidance on

how to do so simply and clearly.

3. The common European format for CVs is backed by an electronic library of sample CVs, illustrating how individuals in
different countries, with differing work and educational backgrounds, have used the model CV for different purposes.

4. There are electronic links to instruments and resources at Community and national

level on how to present
qualifications and competences (e.g. Diploma supplements, Certificate supplements, Europass, the European Credit
Transfer System, the European Computer Driving Licence etc.). The CV format is therefore one element in a broader
strategy with a view to improving the transparency of qualifications and competences.

5. The ‘jobseeker's database’ (‘CV-job search’) developed and managed by the European Employment Services (EURES)

reflects the above principles and requirements.

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