It’s better to have used a skill rather than have done a course: rather than writing about having done an English course it’s preferable to be able to say that you work on a daily basis - both verbally and in writing - with colleagues in the company’s UK headquarters. The same applies for a project management course: it’s better to have managed a project in accordance with standard methodologies rather than have done a course. But it’s OK to specify certifications for skills that were acquired through exams. If a person has worked for a multinational for a number of years, people will assume they have undergone the standard training for their career path. In such cases it is therefore advisable to only specify in a summary form that you have had professional refresher courses.

Even with regard to training there are different priorities: the courses you refer to must obviously be recent – given that you are presenting yourself to the market on the basis of what you can offer now– and they must be relevant: courses of one or two days (as opposed to longer courses) could be omitted. Another aspect is the institution that provided these courses: a course from Bocconi University is obviously going to be more prestigious than a course from a local college.

Languages have become all the more important: today you have to have English at the very least, but a second European language is becoming more sought after. And if you are young enough or forward-looking enough to have already picked up an Eastern language … even better! But if you’re still thinking about it, remember that nowadays Chinese is more useful than Japanese!

For language courses the same points apply, unless you can show the level you have reached through standard exams (e.g. A1, B1, C1).

Even IT skills are essential: at least office suites (e.g. MS Office) and the use of email and the web. For certain jobs other IT skills could make the difference e.g. a procurement manager or an accountant being able to use business applications like SAP.

In terms of personal interests, I am of the opinion that if a person is passionate about a sport, a discipline, a language, an author, etc. this should be specified so that they can “set themselves apart” and be “themselves”. Obviously this has to be done with common sense: some sensitive information– like your religion or political party – should be explicitly avoided. Although this information will be examined from a business perspective, don’t forget that it’s going to be read by another person so it’s good to have that human dimension.

Other types of activities you are involved in, e.g. a voluntary work association, could demonstrate additional skills that a role might not require but it may still be seen as a useful addition to your presentation!

Flexibility can also be seen through a person’s willingness to be mobile. Clearly this flexibility needs to be consistent with a person’s responsibilities. It is normally expected that the more responsibility a person has within a company the more travelling they will have to do. In any case I would leave this information to the covering letter or even to the interview stage.

I would leave “price” related information to the interview, when you are face to face with your prospective employer. The level of responsibility you have and your professional standing should come across from your cv, but details can best be provided when you know the situation and the context better.

Unfortunately, nowadays many people are “forced” to enter the labour market through company policies like redundancy schemes. Since this information does have an economic implication for companies, in terms of the tax breaks granted by the law, you should have no hesitation in mentioning that you are registered on certain redundancy schemes (CIG, CIGS, ASPI, NASPI). You will be selected for your professionalism, but if you make it onto a shortlist you might get the nod because of this condition.

Belonging to protected categories is another condition that should be specified for the reasons in the previous point. In addition, companies have constraints with regard to the percentage of its workforce that belong to protected categories, so don’t have any qualms about stating this.

References? NO! In Italy references are not normally provided in a cv, although it may be the norm in other European countries - e.g. Switzerland. So leave this to the interview and selection process.

For some time there has been a law in Italy for the protection of personal data, which obviously applies to the contents of a cv. It’s best to provide a release clause on the basis of the current legislation, rather than wait to be asked for this expressly. This is another sign of thoroughness and professionalism.