The CV clause is a mandatory element of your application document, its introduction was aimed at protecting personal data. You must include it in your Curriculum Vitae to be taken into account in the recruitment process. However, many people have a big problem with it. “I consent to the processing…” And what next? The CV clause can cause a lot of trouble even for people who have been looking for a job more than once. Do you want to find out what the current CV clause looks like? We have described everything in this article!

In this article, you’ll learn:

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Is consent to the processing of CV personal data necessary?

A CV clause is a mandatory element that must be included in each of your application documents. The GDPR clause for your CV is something you can’t forget. Without it, the documents may not even be read, due to formal deficiencies.
It can be interpreted that just sending a CV means that you want your data to be processed. However, it is better to include a CV clause, Because each company may have different procedures.
It happens that the recruiter deletes CVs and cover letters if they do not contain a CV clause. The clause on the processing of personal data is something worth remembering.

Why is GDPR needed for a CV?

The recruitment process cannot take place anonymously, the employer must verify your skills and experience. Often, when we are looking for a job, we send dozens of applications, the CV clause is designed to protect your personal data. Therefore, it is necessary so that your data is not used inappropriately or by unauthorized persons.

CV clause

Where should the CV clause be located?

The GDPR clause of the CV should be at the bottom of the document. It is best if you place it in the footer. It will look good when written in a different font or italics.

When you use a professional resume creator, it will show you the finished text to add. You can freely edit the content, changing it for the needs of specific companies or delete the fragment about future recruitment processes. Creator CV will automatically place the GDPR clause in the appropriate place.

CV clause – what happens if you forget about it?

It is very possible that when you do not put the phrase “I consent to the processing of my data… to your CV, it will not be read. This is a significant mistake that means that even the best candidates are not taken into account.

Is there an alternative? Some job boards give you the opportunity to mark your consent on their website, so you accept the terms and conditions of personal data processing already at the stage of sending your CV. This is a very good practice of some websites that post job advertisements, allowing you to avoid rejecting the candidacy of people who forgot to include a clause in their CV.

Which legal acts address the issue of the processing of CV personal data? GDPR clause without secrets

The GDPR clause is a clause containing consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes of the recruitment process. It has its source in the following legal acts:

1) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016. on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), which entered into force on 24 May 2016.

Art. 6 sec. 1 (a): “Processing shall only be lawful if, and to the extent that one or more of the following conditions are met: (a) the data subject has consented to the processing of his or her personal data for one or more specific purposes”

Art. 7 sec. 1: “If the processing is based on consent, the controller must be able to demonstrate that the data subject has consented to the processing of his or her personal data”

2) Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018. (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000, i.e. Journal of Laws of 2019, item 1781).

What data does the CV clause protect?

The GDPR 2024 clause protects your personal data provided in your CV, cover letter or other application documents. It is not only your name and surname with contact details, but also information about your education, experience and skills.

Art. 221. of the Labour Code (Employee’s personal data) states that:

Ҥ 1. The employer requires the person applying for employment to provide personal data including:
1) name(s) and surname;
2) date of birth;
3) contact details provided by such a person;
4) education;
5) professional qualifications;
6) the course of previous employment.
§ 2. The employer shall request the provision of personal data referred to in § 1 points 4-6 when it is necessary to perform work of a specific type or in a specific position.”

Article 221 of the Labour Code does mention the date of birth, but you do not have to enter it in your CV. The employer will need more personal data only when signing the contract.

GDPR CV – what should you know?

The data quoted from the Labour Code article is personal data that is the core of any well-thought-out CV. Without them, the employer will not be able to verify whether the person applying for a given position meets their requirements and expectations. Importantly, personal data is subject to special legal protection in the European Union.

CV clause

Consent to the processing of personal data CV 2024 – short version

The CV clause does not have to contain a legal basis. If you want, feel free to paste the following CV clause into your CV and cover letter. Only fill in the name of the company you are applying to. You then have to change the Curriculum Vitae with each application, this is important because companies often require personalized consents.

“I consent to the processing of my personal data by (insert the name of the company here) for the purpose of recruitment for the position I am applying.”

Always read job advertisements carefully. If you see a ready-made CV clause prepared by the company, copy and paste it into your CV.

GDPR clause extended template

The longest clause of the CV 2024 with a citation of the legal basis (legal acts) may have the following content:

I consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes of the recruitment process pursuant to the Act of 10 May 2018 on the protection of personal data (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000, i.e. Journal of Laws of 2019, item 1781) and in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016. on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (GDPR)”.

CV clause 2024

What does the CV clause for current and future recruitment give you?

Sometimes it happens that the recruiter gets back to someone even after many months from the moment they receive the CV. This is because recruitment for some positions takes a very long time. If the person hired on probation was not suitable or resigned on their own, the company still has a vacancy. On the other hand, companies that are constantly developing are looking for employees from time to time. In such situations, the HR (Human Resources) department may reach for documents that contain a CV clause with consent to participate in future recruitment processes without opening new recruitments.

CV clause for current and future recruitment, is it worth adding?

If you want to work for a specific company, the current 2024 CV clause, placed in your documents, should include a record of future recruitment. You can still apply for new advertisements, but a CV with a CV clause, which will be in the database of your dream company, will increase your chances of receiving an invitation to a job interview. Perhaps the HR department of the company you really want to work for will reconsider your application.

GDPR clause extended template – also for future recruitments

Here is the most comprehensive CV 2024 clause taking into account your participation in future recruitments. It allows employers to store your data. Please note that you can withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal data at any time. The extended formula, which includes a citation of the legal basis, may have the following wording:

I consent to the processing of personal data contained in my application for the purposes of the recruitment process and future recruitment processes (in accordance with the Act of 10 May 2018 on the protection of personal data (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000) and in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016. on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (GDPR)”.

What else can the consent to the processing of personal data contain?

You can enter the exact name of the company that is the recipient of the consent to the processing of personal data. Many companies indicate in their job offers that only applications with their CV clause will be considered. If the employer asks for a specific statement of consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes of the recruitment in the advertisement, include it so as not to lose the chance to receive an invitation to an interview.

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GDPR in English – what do you need to know?

If you apply for a job offer in English, you can send your CV in Polish and English. The English version of your documents should also include a CV clause in English.

The 2024 resume clause in English is as follows:

“I agree to the processing of personal data provided in this document for realising the recruitment process pursuant to the Personal Data Protection Act of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1000) and in agreement with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)”.

If you are applying to a foreign company, check whether the CV clause is required. It is regulated by Polish regulations, so they do not apply in other countries. When the company has its registered office in Poland, the CV clause will probably be necessary. You should always verify the requirements stated in a specific job advertisement.

See our other guides:
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