Having a good curriculum vitae (CV, or Lebenslauf in German) is quite probably the most important step in finding a job in Germany. However, there are some small but crucial differences you need to be aware of when writing your CV. Getting it right, by formatting your resume in a style German employers will recognisegives you the best chance of landing an interview.
Useful websites for writing CVs in Germany
Follow these links to find more hints and tips on applying for jobs in Germany, CV templates and more:
How to write a CV (Lebenslauf) in Germany
In contrast to CVs in many other countries, CVs in Germany are simple “fact sheets”, listing experience, skills and education in a way that is free from embellishment, business jargon or buzzwords. Instead of being a sales pitch, German CVs let the facts speak for themselves. To a lesser extent, the same principle also applies to cover letters.
Although, of course, there is no perfect way to write a CV in Germany, in general, they tend to follow the following structure:
1st section: Personal information (Persönliche Angaben)
In this first section, you list your personal details. Make sure to include the following:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Marital status
- Contact information
- Passport-size photo
- Profile (Profil) - a short description of yourself and your skills / experience / qualifications
2nd section: Education (Ausbildung)
In this section, you detail your education (including secondary and higher education). Make sure to include the name of your university and the programme you studied. Many people also include specific modules or areas of study within the degree programme that are relevant to the position.
3rd section: Work experience (berufliche Erfahrung)
List your previous work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. For each position, include the name of the company, the dates you worked there, the title of the position you held, and your key responsibilities. Here is a good place to also outline any major achievements, but make sure you stick to the facts.
Final section: Other skills / achievements (Sonstiges)
You can use this section to list any other qualifications, skills or achievements that are relevant to the role, such as computer skills, language abilities or certifications. German CVs don’t typically include details about personal interests or hobbies, which are considered superfluous by most hiring managers.
Should I write my CV in German or English?
If your language ability is up to it, it’s a good idea to write your CV in German (unless the job profile specifies otherwise). German is the language generally spoken in the workplace, even if the official company language is English, and speaking it may give you an edge over other candidates. On the other hand, if you have little or no German, writing your CV in German may give a false impression that your language ability is better than it is.
Tips for writing a German CV
- Keep it factual; waffle and fluff do not go down well in the German job market.
- Listing all of your experience, skills and qualifications may not necessarily be helpful - keep it to the point by only listing those that are relevant to the role.
- Recruiters scan numerous CVs for the same position, so get yours noticed by keeping it short - no longer than two pages.
- Make your CV appealing by choosing an appropriate font; avoid dense writing and too many bold or underlined sections.
- Keep it snappy by using bullet points rather than long paragraphs.
- Adjust your CV for different applications to make sure everything you list is relevant to the role you are applying for.
- Be aware of linguistic errors and typos - double, triple, quadruple check it and ask for a second pair of eyes!
- Check out our other employment guides and tools for tips on finding a job in Germany.
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FAQs
First, German CVs typically start with your personal information, followed by your work experience and education. Unlike in other countries, it is not mandatory to include a section on your hobbies or interests. The ideal length for the CV would be one page and can be up to 2 pages in length.
Which CV format is best for Germany? ›
First, German CVs typically start with your personal information, followed by your work experience and education. Unlike in other countries, it is not mandatory to include a section on your hobbies or interests. The ideal length for the CV would be one page and can be up to 2 pages in length.
What are the rules for CV in Germany? ›
The standard structure for a German CV contains the following sections from top to bottom: Personal details, work experience, education, skills (including language) and interests. You finish off by putting in the place and date of submission as well as an electronic signature (*. jpg).
Do German companies use ATS? ›
A lof of German companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in their hiring strategy. It's a little piece of software that screens CVs based on keywords.
What is the difference between German CV and American resume? ›
In a German CV, it is optional to include things like birth date, city of birth, marital status, number of children, nationality, gender, and personal interests. In an American resume it would be considered very inappropriate to include any personal information, things such as age and marital status are never included.
Should a German CV include photo? ›
In a German CV, the first section is usually dedicated to the candidate's personal information. This includes their full name, address, contact information, and date of birth. It's also common to include a professional photo here, taken by a professional photographer.
What is the meaning of Lebenslauf in English? ›
noun. CV , cv [abbreviation, noun] (British) short for curriculum vitae ; a written account with details about a person's education, work experience etc that is often required when applying for a job; résumé(American)
What makes a CV rejected? ›
Most likely the main reason your resume is getting rejected is that it's not tailored for the job you're applying to. Employers want to see that you fit the position they are advertising and are being honest about how your work history fits in with it.
How long should a German resume be? ›
German CVs are not more than 2 pages long. Anything longer than that is considered too long and risks getting rejected by the hiring managers.
What language skills should be included in a German CV? ›
Language skills ("Sprachkenntnisse")
You can specify your language level in German and other foreign languages in the following way: mother tongue or native speaker: Muttersprache. excellent level: verhandlungssicher in Wort und Schrift. very good level: sehr gute Sprachkenntnisse (in Wort und Schrift)
You should always include language skill levels on your resume. That way, your recruiter will be able to understand whether you're a novice or a near-native speaker. Also, use the near-native level if your language skill is almost as good as a native speaker.
How do I make my CV readable? ›
Use a simple and consistent layout
The first step in creating an ATS-friendly CV is to keep the layout simple and consistent. Stick to a basic font, such as Arial or Calibri, and avoid using too many colours, images, or graphics. Use bullet points to break up the text and make it easy to read.
Which ATS does Netflix use? ›
Lever ATS is used by various companies across different industries, including: Netflix. Shopify. Yelp.
What is ATS for Germany? ›
As a result, using an applicant tracking system Germany is a big step forward in the hiring process. These methods not only make it easier to hire people, but they also make HR operations more efficient and effective as a whole. ATS like PNH give companies in Germany a competitive edge.
Which CV format is best in Europe? ›
The Europass CV is one of the best-known CV formats in Europe. It is easy-to-use and familiar to employers and education institutions.
What is the standard CV format in Europe? ›
Your European style CV should be a 1-2 page document that outlines your personal details, work experience, education history, and skills. Because clarity is key, the design is typically simple and professional. Standard fonts are a must with a size of 10-13 for paragraph text and slightly larger for headings.
What is the most attractive CV format? ›
The best CV format for a job in 2024 is, without a doubt, reverse chronological format. It puts your work experience and professional achievements at the heart of your job application, precisely what recruiters and hiring managers expect from a candidate.
