German CV Tips, Format Requirements, & Examples | VisualCV (2024)

FAQs

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.

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).

Nowadays, a CV in Germany contains the standard sections 'personal data' (“Persönliche Angaben”), 'work experience' (“Berufserfahrung”), 'education' (“Ausbildung”), 'skills' and 'extracurricular activities' (“Qualifikationen und Kenntnisse”) as well as 'hobbies' and 'personal interests' (“Private Interessen”).

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.

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.

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.

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 you write a CV exemple? ›

German recruiters and employers value professionalism, so make sure your photo is high-quality and work appropriate. Personal Information: Near the top of your CV, include your name, home address, phone number, email address, and date of birth.

The following are the most important differences between a German CV and an English CV: Without picture: In the English CV it is not usual to attach a photo. Summary: A short introduction of the person at the beginning.

While technical skills and qualifications are important for a job in Germany, it's equally important to showcase your soft skills during the interview process. Communication skills, adaptability, teamwork, time management, cultural awareness, and problem-solving skills are all highly valued by employers in Germany.

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.

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.

Depending on the cultural and linguistic background of the people that administer the given study program, they will use one of the following expressions for what is called in German "Lebenslauf". It is noteworthy that in Germany, you will come across "CV" more frequently than "Resume".