Job hunting among the smaller, local companies calls for a CV prepared according to local customs and style. Be careful how you present your talents and experience, whether you’re using a CV or the shorter American style resume. Luxembourgers are a modest and rather conservative people and may see your claims for major accomplishments in prior jobs as bragging. Even if you did single-handedly save millions of euro for your last employer by working through your lunch break or cutting the distance between your desk and the coffee machine, it’s safer to supply only a brief explanation of your assigned duties in each job you’ve held. Your cover letter should generally be in the same language as the job posting you’re responding to, unless the employer has specifically requested applications in English.
With so many foreigners in the workforce, most employers in Luxembourg are familiar with a wide variety of CV styles. CVs for Luxembourg should include a good photograph and exam results where applicable. Be sure to include your language skills, with an evaluation of your written, reading and speaking level for each language claimed. Employers in Luxembourg place great value on extracurricular activities in school and on social and civic responsibilities, so be sure to include these either in your CV or in your covering letter. Covering letters in Luxembourg should be hand written in French or English. Like the French, the Luxembourgers place great faith in graphology and they use it to determine if you are a good ‘fit’ for both the position and the organisation.
This article is an extract from Living and Working in Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg.