How to Write a CV in Slovenia: Format & Guide 2026
Slovenia is a small, high-income EU member state with a diversified economy based on manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and financial services. Situated at the crossroads of Central Europe, the Balkans, and the Adriatic, Slovenia's professional job market in Ljubljana and Maribor is internationally oriented. CV expectations are shaped by both Central European formality and EU Europass conventions.
The Slovenia CV Format
The Europass CV format is widely accepted in Slovenia, particularly for public sector, EU-funded, and large corporate roles. Many employers also accept a clean, tailored reverse-chronological CV. One to two pages is the standard; senior professionals may extend to three pages for roles requiring a comprehensive track record.
Most Slovenian employers expect a CV in Slovenian. English CVs are standard for international companies, foreign investment firms, and EU institutions. A bilingual CV (Slovenian and English) is sometimes requested for cross-border roles.
Language and Personal Information
Slovenian is the language for applications to domestic employers and public institutions. English is expected by international corporations operating in Slovenia.
Include: full name, home address (city), phone number, and professional email address. Date of birth is commonly included on Slovenian CVs. Nationality and driving licence (category B) are listed when relevant. Do not include your EMŠO (national identification number) on a CV.
Professional Photo
A professional headshot is common on Slovenian CVs, particularly for public sector and traditional private sector roles. For technology and international firms, including a photo is discretionary. If you include one, use a recent formal headshot with a neutral background and professional attire, placed in the top-right corner of the first page.
Education
List qualifications in reverse chronological order. The most respected institutions in Slovenia are the University of Ljubljana (UL), the country's largest and most prestigious university, with faculties spanning law, economics, medicine, and engineering, the University of Maribor (UM), the second-largest university with strong technical programmes, and the University of Primorska (UP) in Koper, oriented toward international studies and tourism. The Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS) is the leading research institution for natural sciences and technology.
The Slovenian grading scale runs from 1 to 10 (or 5 to 10 at university level, with 6 as the minimum passing grade and 10 as the maximum). Include your final GPA or average grade. Academic degrees are: diplomirani (Dipl.) for bachelor's level, magister (Mag.) for master's, and doktor (Dr.) for doctoral.
Work Experience
List employment in reverse chronological order. For each role, provide the employer name, job title, employment dates, and three to five achievement-focused bullet points. Quantify results wherever possible.
Employers well recognised by Slovenian recruiters include Krka Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest generics producers in Europe, Gorenje (Hisense), Petrol (energy and retail), Mercator (retail), Nova Ljubljanska banka (NLB), Abanka, Telekom Slovenia, Lek (Sandoz/Novartis), Revoz (Renault), and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. For technology roles, Outfit7, Xlab, and the Ljubljana tech startup ecosystem are recognised employers.
Key Sectors
Pharmaceuticals and chemicals, led by Krka and Lek (Sandoz), are major employers of skilled professionals. Manufacturing, particularly automotive components and electronics, is a strong employment pillar. Financial services, retail trade, and information technology are growing professional sectors in Ljubljana. Tourism is significant, particularly in coastal areas and Bled, contributing to hospitality employment.
Skills and Certifications
List languages with CEFR levels (A1-C2). Slovenian and English are the core professional pair; German and Italian are advantageous given cross-border employment with Austria and Italy respectively. Serbian and Croatian are practical assets for regional business roles. For finance: ACCA, CFA, and CPA qualifications are valued. For technology: AWS, Azure, Scrum Master, and Cisco certifications are recognised. Engineers in regulated sectors may be registered with the Slovenian Chamber of Engineers (IZS).
Cover Letter
A cover letter (motivacijsko pismo) is expected for professional and management applications in Slovenia. One page is the norm. Structure it as: why this role and this organisation, what specific value you bring, and your availability. For startup and technology companies, a briefer, more direct tone is acceptable.
Common CV Mistakes in Slovenia
- No quantified achievements: Numbers matter: "Reduced production downtime by 22% through a revised maintenance schedule" is far stronger than "Improved production efficiency."
- Generic skills section: List specific tools, systems, and certifications rather than generic competencies.
- Outdated photo: A photo from several years ago creates a mismatch; use a recent headshot or omit entirely.
- Omitting language CEFR levels: Stating "English — good" is uninformative; use B2, C1, or C2.
- CV over three pages: Even senior professionals should rarely exceed three pages; focus on relevance.