Your Free EU Job Search Checklist

Define your target role, seniority level, and 3–5 target countries

💡 Be specific: "Senior Product Manager in Netherlands or Germany" beats "something in Europe".

Research work-permit requirements for your nationality + target countries

💡 EU/EEA citizens can work freely. Others: check Blue Card eligibility, national visa schemes, or intra-company transfer options.

Set a weekly application target (e.g. 10–15 tailored applications per week)

💡 Quality over quantity — but volume still matters. Track your conversion rates to calibrate.

Prepare a master CV with all experience, skills, publications, and certifications

💡 This is your source document. You'll tailor shorter versions for each application.

Write a 2–3 sentence positioning statement for your LinkedIn headline and summary

💡 Example: "Data Engineer | 6 yrs building real-time pipelines at scale | Relocating to Berlin"

Update LinkedIn to "Open to Work" (visible to recruiters only if preferred)

💡 Set location preferences to your target EU cities. Recruiters filter heavily by location.

Convert your CV to European format if applying outside UK/Ireland

💡 Many EU employers expect Europass-style or 1–2 page CVs with a photo (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Check local norms.

Quantify achievements: revenue impact, team size, efficiency gains

💡 "Reduced API latency by 40%" > "Improved system performance". Numbers get interviews.

Prepare 2–3 CV variants tailored to your top role types

💡 A PM CV emphasizes stakeholder management; a technical PM CV emphasizes architecture decisions. Same person, different lens.

Write a modular cover letter with swappable paragraphs for company/role specifics

💡 Keep intro + closing fixed. Middle paragraph adapts to each company's mission and the role's key requirement.

Have a native speaker proof-read if applying in a non-native language

💡 Grammar errors in a German-language application can disqualify you immediately. Invest in a proof-read.

Save all documents as PDF with a clear filename: FirstName_LastName_CV_CompanyName.pdf

💡 Recruiters download dozens of CVs. Make yours findable.

Set up alerts on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and country-specific boards

💡 Country boards: StepStone (DE), Pole Emploi (FR), InfoJobs (ES), Monsterboard (NL). Set daily email digests.

Track every application: company, role, date applied, status, next action, contact

💡 This is where EuJobsAI shines — automatic tracking from your inbox so nothing falls through the cracks.

Apply to each role within 48 hours of posting

💡 Early applications get 3x more views. Speed matters more than perfection.

Tailor your CV for each application (even small tweaks help)

💡 Match keywords from the job description. ATS systems scan for exact phrases.

Log the recruiter or hiring manager's name and LinkedIn profile

💡 You'll need this for follow-ups and interview prep. Future you will thank present you.

Set a follow-up reminder for 7 days after each application

💡 A polite follow-up email increases response rates by 20–30%. Keep it short and professional.

Identify 10 target companies and follow them on LinkedIn

💡 Engage with their posts before applying. Being a familiar name helps.

Send 3–5 personalized connection requests per week to people at target companies

💡 "Hi [Name], I'm exploring [Role] opportunities at [Company] and admire your team's work on [specific project]." Short and genuine.

Join 2–3 relevant Slack/Discord communities for your industry in Europe

💡 Many roles are shared in communities before they hit job boards. Berlin Tech Jobs, Elixir EU, etc.

Attend at least one virtual or in-person industry event per month

💡 Meetups, webinars, conferences. European tech scenes are tight-knit — one connection can open doors.

Prepare a 30-second elevator pitch about yourself

💡 "I'm a [role] with [X] years in [domain]. I'm moving to [city] and looking for opportunities in [area]. Most recently I [achievement]."

Research EU interview norms for your target country

💡 German interviews are formal and structured. Dutch interviews value directness. French interviews may include general knowledge questions.

Prepare answers to the 10 most common behavioral questions using STAR format

💡 Situation, Task, Action, Result. Prepare 5–6 stories that can flex across different questions.

Research salary ranges for your role + city using Glassdoor, levels.fyi, or Numbeo

💡 EU salaries vary dramatically. A senior engineer earns €90k in Berlin but €55k in Lisbon. Know the range before negotiating.

Prepare 5 thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer

💡 "What does success look like in the first 90 days?" "How does the team handle technical debt?" Never ask about salary in round 1.

Test your video call setup: camera, mic, lighting, background

💡 Most EU interviews start remote. A clean, well-lit setup signals professionalism.

Practice with a friend or record yourself answering questions

💡 Hearing yourself helps eliminate filler words and tighten your stories.

Ask for the full compensation breakdown: base, bonus, equity, benefits, relocation

💡 EU packages often include lunch vouchers, transport subsidies, pension contributions, and 25–30 vacation days. Factor everything in.

Research tax rates and net salary for your target city

💡 A €70k salary in Belgium nets very differently than €70k in Portugal. Use salary calculators specific to the country.

Negotiate — most EU employers expect it

💡 Counter with data: "Based on my research, the market rate for this role in [city] is [range]. Given my [experience], I'd like to propose [amount]."

Get the offer in writing before giving notice at your current job

💡 Verbal offers aren't binding. Wait for the signed contract.

Plan your relocation timeline: visa, housing, bank account, registration

💡 Most EU countries require you to register your address within 1–2 weeks of arrival. Start apartment hunting early.