Work and Travel on your CV: the time abroad belongs on it, and it carries weight when you describe it concretely. This guide shows how to place the stay within your CV, when an explanation in the cover letter makes sense and which activities you can name. It covers the application only, not insurance or benefits during the stay.
Short answer: Enter a Work and Travel period as its own entry with dates, country and concrete activity. A gap only arises when there is time without any activity between two entries. The EURES network points to a meaningful CV and a good cover letter and refers to the Europass, which is free of charge. Last updated: November 2026. Source: EURES, retrieved November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Record the time abroad as its own entry with months and years, not as a footnote.
- Name the country, city or region and the concrete activity, for example waiting staff, seasonal farm work or reception.
- A short explanation in the cover letter makes sense if the gap would otherwise remain unclear.
- Describe experiences so that they count for the role: languages, organisation, dealing with people you do not know.
- According to EURES, the Europass offers free templates for CV and cover letter in 31 languages.
How do you enter Work and Travel time on your CV?
On a tabular CV, the time abroad appears in the same form as every other entry: dates on the left, activity on the right. It matters that the period is stated precisely, because months and years show how long you were away. The country is extra information that makes the entry tangible.
| Element | Example | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Period | March to October 2026 | Length of the stay |
| Place | Southern Spain, Andalusia | Where you worked |
| Activity | Waiting staff at a beach restaurant | What you actually did |
| Outcome | Looked after guests in two languages | What you took from it |
The table shows a pattern you can adapt. The examples are invented wording, not a requirement. What matters is that every detail is accurate and that you can explain it in an interview.
When do you need to explain a gap?
A gap arises when there is time without any activity between two entries. If the Work and Travel period runs without interruption between your studies and a job, no explanation is needed, because the entry itself fills the period. Only when months without activity remain is a short sentence worthwhile. That sentence should stay factual and should not sound apologetic.
In the cover letter, one paragraph is usually enough. Name the period, the purpose of the trip, the activities and what you bring to the role from them. Avoid long justifications, because they pull attention away from your profile.
Which skills can you derive from the time?
Skills from this period can often be transferred to many activities. Language is the most obvious point: everyday English or a second language on the job. Organisation counts too, for example when planning trips and appointments, and so does dealing with people you do not know, in service work or in accommodation.
Name these skills with a concrete example instead of claiming them as a trait. A sentence such as “I looked after guests in two languages and coordinated bookings by phone” carries more weight than the bare word “multilingual”.
How do you use the Europass?
The Europass is an offer from the European Commission. EURES describes it as free of charge and available in 31 languages, with editable templates for CVs and cover letters. It is especially helpful when you need a CV in one consistent format for positions in several countries.
The Europass does not replace content. Enter the Work and Travel period there exactly as on your German CV, so that both versions match. Differences between the two versions make the CV harder to check.
How do you describe a stay without a fixed job?
Some stays consist of travel without permanent work, for example when you took up short-term jobs along the way. Describe them honestly as a stay with the activities that actually took place. A line such as “short-term work in hospitality and on farms” is more precise than a vague entry.
If you did not work at all, do not present the stay as employment. Then the time is a travel phase that you explain in one sentence in the cover letter, without filling it with activities.
Which activities count as work on the CV?
Any paid or unpaid activity can appear on the CV if it is concrete. A job in a hostel, a season in agriculture or a position at reception are clear entries. If you worked as a temporary helper, name the activity and the period without inventing a title. An invented title tends to come up in conversation and damages credibility.
Short jobs benefit from grouping. Combine several similar activities into one line, for example “hospitality, seasonal jobs in two countries”. This keeps the CV readable, and the details come up in the interview or the cover letter. Clear structure helps any CV, and it is the easiest way to achieve readability.
How do you prepare for the interview?
In an interview, you are often asked about your time abroad. Prepare two or three sentences that describe the period, the activity and one concrete experience. A situation with a customer, a conflict you resolved or an organisational challenge sounds more credible than a general statement about openness.
Keep the answer short and stick to the facts that appear on your CV. When you explain a gap, name it without apologising and link it straight to the role. Talk about what you learned, not about what you missed. Practise the answer aloud once, so that it sounds natural in the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to mention Work and Travel on my CV at all?
That decision is yours. A clear entry can show language practice and independence. If the time has little relevance to the role, you can keep it brief, but do not hide it if it creates a gap.
Should I also explain the time in the cover letter?
Yes, if the gap would otherwise remain unclear. One paragraph is enough. Name the period, the activity and its value for the role.
Which language should my CV be in?
The language depends on the role. For a German position you write in German, and for international positions an English CV may fit. The Europass helps with consistent templates for several languages.
How do I explain a period without work?
State the period and the character of the time factually, for example as a trip with a language stay or as a trip with short-term jobs. Highlight only skills you actually used.
What to do now, step by step
- List all stations of your stay with period, place and activity.
- Check whether a gap remains between the stations and, if needed, write one sentence about it.
- Transfer the details into the Europass or your own template, so that both versions match.
- Read the CV aloud and check whether every entry can be backed up.
Related guides
- Work and Travel: an overview of countries, visas and budget (in German)
- Finding jobs while travelling without experience (in German)
- Abroad internship or Work and Travel: what suits you? (in German)
- CV for students: step by step (in German)
- Work and Travel checklist: what to sort out before departure (in German)
Sources: EURES, tips for jobseekers on CVs and the Europass (German, no date given, retrieved November 2026)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
