Norwegian CV Format: Which Sections to Use, in What Order, and How Long
Employers in Norway usually expect a CV that is short, factual and quick to scan. They are not looking for creative layouts or long personal stories. They want to see what you have done, what you can do and how to reach you. This article gives you a clear outline to follow: the sections, a sensible order, what to write in each one and how long the whole document should be.
A common order for a Norwegian CV
A common and practical structure for a CV for jobs in Norway, from top to bottom, is:
- Personal details and contact information
- A short profile (optional)
- Work experience
- Education
- Language skills
- Other skills, courses and certificates
- Volunteering and other activities (optional)
- References
Within work experience and education, use reverse chronological order. Your newest job or qualification comes first. The reader sees your current situation straight away and can work backwards if they want to.
What to write in each section
Personal details
Include your full name, phone number, email address and the town or city where you live. Add a link to your LinkedIn profile if it is up to date. A photo is optional and not required. If you use one, choose a simple, friendly picture. Do not include your national identity number (fødselsnummer), bank details or copies of your passport.
Profile
The profile is two to four lines at the top that tell the reader who you are professionally. Avoid empty phrases and be specific.
Before:
Hardworking and motivated team player looking for new challenges.
After:
Trained chef with six years' experience in hotel and restaurant kitchens in Poland and Norway. Used to busy breakfast and lunch service and to training new kitchen staff. Norwegian at B1 level, currently taking an evening course.
Work experience
For each job, write the years, your job title, the employer and the place. Then add two to four short bullet points about what you actually did. Start each one with a verb.
2022–present: Kitchen assistant, Y AS, Bergen
- Prepare breakfast buffet for hotel guests
- Follow food safety routines and fill in temperature logs
- Train new summer staff in kitchen routines
The employer may not know your jobs from abroad. Add a few words about them, for example "a small family-owned construction company".
Education
List your most recent qualification first, then work backwards, just as in the work experience section. For each one, give the degree or programme, the institution, the country and the years. Write the original name of your degree and a short plain-English description, so the reader understands the level and the subject. If upper secondary school (videregående skole) is your highest level, list it here too. You can usually leave out primary school.
Language skills
Many Norwegian ads ask for Norwegian language skills, so make this section clear and honest. Use the CEFR scale (A1–C2) if you know your level, or plain words such as basic, conversational or fluent. Mention what you are doing to improve.
Norwegian: A2–B1, attending an evening course at X
English: fluent (C1)
Ukrainian and Russian: native
It is better to state a modest level you can live up to in an interview than a high level you cannot.
Other skills, courses and certificates
Include a driving licence (førerkort) and its class, safety courses, forklift or machine certificates, health and care courses and the IT tools you use at work. Keep it to things that matter for the jobs you apply for.
Volunteering and other activities
This section is optional, but it can show responsibility and local involvement. Examples include helping at a second-hand shop, coaching children at a local sports club or organising events in a student association. One line each is enough.
References
List two or three people who can talk about your work. Give their name, role, workplace and phone number. You can also write "References available on request". In Norwegian ads you will see this as referanser. Always ask your referees first, and tell them what kind of job you are applying for.
How long should the CV be?
Aim for one to two pages. One page is often enough if you are early in your career. Two pages suit people with several relevant jobs. To keep it short:
- Describe older or unrelated jobs in one line each, or group them ("2012–2015: various warehouse and cleaning jobs, Lithuania")
- Remove long lists of personal qualities
- Drop hobbies that say nothing about you as an employee
- Cut details from courses you took many years ago
If shortening your CV leaves gaps between dates, our guide on explaining CV gaps briefly and honestly shows how to handle them.
Layout: simple beats creative
A clean layout helps the reader find information quickly. A few practical rules:
- Use one readable font and clear headings
- Write dates the same way all the way through, for example 2021–2023
- Avoid skill bars, star ratings and heavy graphics. They tell the reader very little.
- Save and send the CV as a PDF with a clear file name, such as CV_Maria_Kowalska.pdf
- Write the CV in the language of the job ad. An English ad means an English CV is fine.
If you already have a CV, you can upload it to ReadyCV and have it analysed before you start rewriting.
When to change the order of sections
The order above is a starting point, not a rule. Move whole sections when it helps the reader see your best match faster, but keep reverse chronological order inside each section:
- Recent graduates can put education before work experience. This makes particular sense if your thesis or courses are relevant to the job.
- Career changers can move a relevant course or certificate higher up, just under the profile.
- People without work experience can let education, volunteering and school projects carry the CV. See a CV for jobs in Norway when you have no work experience.
Whatever order you choose, keep it consistent. Each section should show something that matters for the job you are applying for. When you find an ad on FINN.no, arbeidsplassen.no or LinkedIn, it is usually wise to adjust your CV to it, for example by rewriting the profile and choosing which bullet points to show first.
Summary
- A practical order is: contact details, profile, work experience, education, languages, other skills, volunteering and references.
- List jobs and education in reverse chronological order, newest first.
- Keep the CV to one to two pages, with short and specific bullet points.
- Be honest and clear about your Norwegian level.
- Use a simple layout and send the CV as a PDF.
- Move whole sections when it helps the reader see why you fit the job.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a photo on my CV in Norway?
No, a photo is optional and not required. Some people include one and many do not. If you add one, use a simple, professional-looking picture with a neutral background.
Should I include my date of birth or age?
It is optional. Many people leave it out and simply list their contact details. What matters most is that your experience and skills are easy to find.
How do I list jobs and education from my home country?
List them in the same reverse chronological order as everything else. Add a short description so a Norwegian reader understands them, for example the type of company or what your degree covered. Write the original name of the degree as well as an English description.
Is a one-page CV better than two pages?
Not necessarily. One page works well if you are early in your career. Two pages are normal if you have several relevant jobs. Avoid going beyond two pages, and cut older or unrelated details first.
What is the difference between a CV and a søknad?
The CV is a structured overview of your experience, education and skills. The søknad is the job application letter. It is usually no longer than one page and explains why you want this specific job and why you fit it. Many job ads ask for both, so it is wise to have both ready.
Read in other languages: Gratis CV-mal på norsk som du kan kopiere og fylle ut