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The Danish CV, short, factual, no fluff

Updated July 2026Reviewed July 2026
The short versionA Danish CV is short (1-2 pages), factual and no-nonsense. Skip the photo-and-flourish style of some countries: Danes value clarity, relevant experience and a plain, honest tone. A tailored cover letter (ansøgning) still matters.

What a Danish CV looks like

Keep it to one or two pages, reverse-chronological, and factual. Lead with a short professional summary, then work experience with concrete results, then education, skills and languages. Danish employers want substance over design, no long personal essays, no gimmicks. A photo is optional and increasingly left off.

The cover letter (ans'+chr(248)+'gning)

Unlike some markets, the cover letter still carries weight in Denmark. Tailor it to the specific role, keep it to one page, and be direct about why you fit and what you bring. Match the tone of the job ad, and remember Janteloven: confident but not boastful.

Danish job-market norms

Networking matters more than you might expect, many roles are filled through contacts and speculative applications (uopfordret ansøgning). LinkedIn is widely used. Referees are usually provided on request. Many professional roles are advertised and conducted in English, especially in tech, pharma and research.

Practical tips

Save as PDF, name the file clearly, and mirror keywords from the job ad. If your qualifications are foreign, note any Danish recognition, see recognition of qualifications. Then prepare for the interview stage with our Danish job interviews guide, and find roles via finding a job in Denmark.

Common questions

Do you put a photo on a Danish CV?

It is optional and increasingly omitted. Content matters far more than presentation in Denmark.

How long should a Danish CV be?

One to two pages, factual and reverse-chronological.

Do I need a cover letter in Denmark?

Yes, a tailored one-page cover letter (ansogning) still matters and is usually expected.