A Guide to Writing the Best CV to Get Hired in Cyprus

Who wouldn't want to live in Cyprus? It's a dream country with access to the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, amazing views, delicious food, fascinating culture, and more. However, in order to live somewhere, you have to find a job and support yourself.

Luckily, Cyprus always has a demand for employees in different industries, as many businesses relocate here or register their companies because of a beneficial tax system. For example, you can check out PUNIN GROUP careers, which is a company that helps foreigners and expats manage their businesses. 

Such corporations are always looking for people to hire, so you can find a job that you enjoy and which allows you to earn a decent living in Cyprus. You need to create a killer CV, as there are many people looking to get hired, so you ought to stand out. This article explores tips and recommendations on how to create a CV that will land you a great job in Cyprus. 

Cypriot Job Market and In-Demand Skills

Cyprus has a mixed economy that depends on finance, professional services, real estate, tourism, health and beauty, entertainment, and technology. Many local firms, including international groups such as PUNIN Cyprus, often look for foreign professionals who bring specialized knowledge. 

Companies regularly search for these types of employees:

• IT specialists;
• legal consultants;
• project managers;
• finance experts;
• marketing strategists;
• HR officers;
• health workers;
• estheticians and cosmetologists;
• administrative coordinators. 

Each role requires a different set of skills. Moreover, some positions are available only to people with the right certificates. For example, legal advisors must understand Cypriot and EU laws, plus they have to submit proof of citizenship in a Member State, a certificate of registration in the relevant professional body of their home country, and a certificate of good standing from their home country's Bar Association.

IT applicants must know programming languages like Java, Python, or C#, and understand tools such as SQL, Git, or AWS. Financial experts should know financial modeling, data analysis, and compliance standards. 

Candidates must research the market and understand what skills and documents they need. So, study job descriptions, trends, and company goals before you even apply. As a result, you can match your strengths with actual business needs of those companies. 

For example, PUNIN GROUP hires for different divisions:

• Developments.
• Head Office.
• Health & Beauty.
• HoReCa.
• Wine & Spirits.

You can check out job descriptions and what skills you need. Thus, you can tailor a CV according to those descriptions. 

How to Tailor Your CV for a Cypriot Audience

Hiring managers in Cyprus prefer simple and logical CVs. A two-page structure is standard, so delete any filler or irrelevant information. However, you can use other tips to improve your chances to be noticed and hired:

• Start with contact details. Always write your phone number with an international prefix. Then add a short personal summary. Mention your current job title, your biggest strength, and the role you want next. 
• Use reverse chronological order in your work experience. Start each line with a verb. Write results that you've achieved. For example, say: »Led a 5-person sales team that closed €2M in annual revenue.”
• Write your education history using standard degree names. List the institution, country, and year of graduation. Add certifications only if they match the job type.
• Add a skills section that names both hard and soft skills. Mention tools like Excel, SAP, HubSpot, or Power BI. Also write soft skills such as negotiation, public speaking, conflict resolution, or people management.

Let's use as an example the already mentioned PUNIN GROUP Cyprus. The company hires people in different fields, so you must study the description before you apply. Luckily, there's plenty of options, each with sufficient details on the requirements, responsibilities, and what you get in return

Visit their website, follow their business news, subscribe to social networks, and study job postings. Analyze the keywords from their ads and use them inside your CV. It's common nowadays for HR to use various systems that search based on certain words, so having them on your CV increases your chances. Use the recommendations we provided to create a CV, apply, and wait for the results. 

Cover Letters and Professional References

A cover letter gives you a chance to speak to the HR manager. Use it to explain why you want the job, how your skills match the role, and what you can add to the team. Write it for each application, but don't send the same letter twice.

Mention one or two big achievements. Use real numbers; for example, write: «Managed a €300K marketing budget and raised ROI by 15% in six months.» 

Focus on Language Proficiency and Cultural Adaptability

English is the main business language in Cyprus. Most international companies hire applicants who speak fluent English, so you must speak and write it well. Employers check your English level through your CV, your cover letter, and your interview.

You get an advantage when you speak more than one language. Greek helps in legal, real estate, and customer service roles. Arabic, Turkish, and Italian also help in retail, HoReCa, and trade-related positions. Language knowledge can raise your chances in client-facing jobs.

You must prove that you're culturally adaptable. Add examples from jobs in different countries or industries where you worked with people from different backgrounds. Mention group projects, overseas studies, or past roles in international teams. Show that you understand cultural norms and work habits.

Your experience in another country is still relevant. If you handled global clients or led teams from different regions, then recruiters in Cyprus will find your skills useful. You must prove that you can apply your background to local business models and clients in Cyprus.