Your CV is typically your first impression with employers. Research suggests recruiters spend approximately 6 seconds on initial CV screening. Here are proven strategies to help you stand out - but remember, these are best practices, not strict rules. Every recruiter is different, and your university career services can provide personalized guidance.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This guide offers commonly accepted best practices based on feedback from recruiters and career advisors. However, there's no single "perfect" CV format. What works for tech startups might differ from consulting firms. Always consult your university career services office - they know the specific expectations of employers recruiting from your institution and can review your CV personally.

📄 Sample CV Template

Below is a clean, ATS-friendly format that works well for most Greek and international employers. Use this as a starting point, then customize for your field and target companies.

Professional CV Template Example

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[email protected] | +30 6XX XXX XXXX

linkedin.com/in/yourprofile | [City], Greece

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

[Your Major] student at [Your University] graduating [Month Year]. Hands-on experience in [your field] through [number] academic projects and [type of experience]. Proficient in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3]. Seeking [target position] to contribute to [type of work] while expanding [area of growth].

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in [Your Major]

[Your University Name]

[Start] - [End]

GPA: [X.X/10] (optional - include if above 7.5)

Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2], [Course 3], [Course 4]

EXPERIENCE

Web Development Intern

Jun 2024 - Aug 2024

Local Tech Startup | Athens, Greece

Developed 5 new features for e-commerce platform using React and Node.js improving user experience for 10,000+ customers
Reduced page load time by 40% by optimizing database queries and implementing caching resulting in 25% increase in conversions
Collaborated with 4-person team using Git and Agile methodology delivering 3 projects on schedule

SKILLS

Programming: JavaScript, Python, Java, SQL

Technologies: React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Git

Languages: Greek (Native), English (Fluent)

Tools: VS Code, Docker, Figma

↑ Template structure - Replace all [bracketed placeholders] with your actual information

Notice the Google XYZ method in Experience section: Accomplished [X] by [Y] resulting in [Z]

The Essential CV Structure

1. Header (Contact Information)

Your Full Name

Email: [email protected] | Phone: +30 6XX XXX XXXX

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourname | Location: Athens, Greece

✓ Recommended: Professional email (university or [email protected])

✓ Recommended: Include LinkedIn profile (if it's updated)

✓ Recommended: Add location (city only, not full address)

⚠️ Avoid: Informal email addresses (nicknames, numbers)

⚠️ Note: Photos optional in Greece (common in EU, uncommon in US/UK)

2. Professional Summary (3-4 Lines)

"Computer Science student at AUTH (graduating June 2026) with hands-on experience in full-stack development through 2 academic projects and 1 freelance client. Proficient in React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL. Seeking software engineering internship to contribute to innovative projects while expanding technical expertise."

✓ Recommended: State your program and graduation year

✓ Recommended: Highlight 2-3 key skills or experiences

✓ Recommended: Clearly state what you're seeking

⚠️ Less effective: Generic statements ("hardworking student seeking opportunity")

💡 Your career office can help you craft a compelling summary!

The Google XYZ Method (Your Secret Weapon)

Google recruiters use this formula to evaluate thousands of CVs. It's simple: Accomplished [X] by doing [Y] resulting in [Z]

3. Experience (XYZ Format)

Marketing Intern - Local Startup

June 2024 - August 2024 | Athens, Greece

•
Increased social media engagement by 150% by creating and scheduling 40+ posts across Instagram and LinkedIn resulting in 2,000 new followers and 50 qualified leads
•
Reduced customer acquisition cost by 30% by optimizing Google Ads campaigns and A/B testing 15 ad variations resulting in €5,000 monthly savings

❌ Bad Example (Vague):

• "Responsible for social media"
• "Helped with marketing campaigns"
• "Worked on various projects"

Why it's bad: No numbers, no impact, no results

✓ Good Example (XYZ Method):

• "Increased engagement by 150% by creating 40+ posts resulting in 2,000 followers"
• "Reduced costs by 30% by optimizing Google Ads resulting in €5,000 monthly savings"

Why it's good: Numbers + Action + Result = Impact

4. Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) | 2023 - 2027 (Expected)

GPA: 8.5/10 (if above 7.5, otherwise omit)

Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems, Machine Learning

Thesis: "Real-time Fraud Detection in E-commerce Using ML" (if applicable)

5. Skills (Organized by Category)

Programming:

Python, JavaScript, Java, SQL, C++

Technologies:

React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Git, Docker

Languages:

Greek (Native), English (Fluent - IELTS 7.5), German (Conversational)

✓ Recommended: List skills you can discuss in an interview

✓ Recommended: Organize by category for easy scanning

⚠️ Consider: Be honest about proficiency levels

⚠️ Consider: Focus on depth over breadth (10 strong skills > 50 weak ones)

Pro Tips for Students in Greece

🇬🇷 Greek Market Specifics

• Keep CV to 1-2 pages maximum
• English is standard for tech/business roles
• Greek companies appreciate bilingual skills
• Military service: Mention status if applicable

⚡ Quick Wins

• Use PDF format (preserves formatting across devices)
• Name file clearly: "FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf"
• Customize for each role (even 2 minutes helps)
• Proofread carefully (typos can hurt your chances)
• Have your career services review it!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ The "Laundry List" CV

Just listing responsibilities without showing impact. Recruiters don't care what you were "responsible for" - they care what you accomplished.

Example: "Responsible for managing social media accounts"

Better: "Grew Instagram followers from 500 to 5,000 in 3 months"

❌ The "Skills Dump" CV

Listing 50+ skills hoping something sticks. Quality over quantity wins.

Example: Long paragraph with every technology you've heard of

Better: 10-15 skills you can confidently discuss in an interview

❌ The "Template Copy-Paste"

Using the same CV for every application. Recruiters can tell when you haven't customized. Spend 2 minutes tailoring the summary and highlighting relevant experience for each role.

The 30-Second Recruiter Test

Before sending your CV, ask yourself: Can a recruiter answer these questions in 30 seconds?

1. What is this person studying and when do they graduate?
2. What are their top 3-5 skills?
3. Do they have any relevant experience (internships, projects, volunteer)?
4. What makes them different from 100 other applicants?

If yes to all 4 → Your CV is ready to send!

Final Checklist Before Sending

☐ Contact info is current and professional

☐ No spelling or grammar errors (check 3 times!)

☐ Used XYZ method for experience bullets

☐ Tailored summary to the specific job

☐ PDF format with clear filename

☐ Fits on 1-2 pages (no more!)

Remember: Quality Over Perfection

Your first CV won't be perfect, and that's okay. The important thing is to start and iterate. These are guidelines, not rigid rules. Different industries and companies have different preferences.

Most important step: Visit your university career services office! They can:

• Review your CV personally (free!)
• Provide industry-specific templates
• Connect you with alumni in your target field
• Share what's worked for students from your university

Career services exists to help you - use them!

🎓 Before You Apply: Get Professional Help (It's Free!)

Every Greek university has a career services office with advisors who want to help you succeed. They've seen thousands of CVs and know what works for your field.

Book a 30-minute CV review session - it's usually free and can make the difference between getting interviews or getting ignored.

Your career services contact is usually on your university's website under "Career Center" or "Career Office"

Good luck with your applications! Remember: these are guidelines to help you, not rules to stress about. 🚀