de-DE
Writing a CV for Germany (Lebenslauf)
Germany expects a complete application package — Lebenslauf, cover letter and scanned certificates. The CV itself is a tabular, factual document; hiring managers read it for completeness, not persuasion.
The norms
- Length
- One to two pages, tabular layout.
- Photo
- Still common and often expected, though never legally required.
- Personal details
- Name, address, phone, email. Date of birth optional but usual.
- Dates
- MM/YYYY, no gaps left unexplained.
- Attachments
- Arbeitszeugnisse and degree certificates attached as one PDF.
- Signature
- Place, date and signature at the end is a traditional touch.
What gets CVs rejected
- Unexplained gaps. Account for every period, even briefly.
- Skipping references to formal qualifications — German employers weight certified credentials heavily.
- Sending a CV alone when the posting asks for vollständige Bewerbungsunterlagen.
- Overclaiming language level. Use CEFR levels (B2, C1) honestly.
Template & type
Swiss or Classic with the tabular two-column layout, photo enabled.
Language: German, with English accepted at international employers
Finding the roles
- Engineering, industry and Mittelstand employers hire on credentials and stability.
- Berlin startups and international scale-ups accept English CVs without a photo.
- Blue Card routes reward clearly stated degree recognition and salary expectations.
Build a German CV in minutes
Import what you already have, pick the template that matches local norms, and export an ATS-ready PDF with the photo on or off.
Related guides
CV vs résumé: what European employers expect
Length, photos, personal data, dates and language expectations across Europe — and the differences that matter when applying from abroad.
How to write a CV that actually gets interviews
A practical, no-fluff structure for a one or two page CV: what goes where, how to write bullet points that land, and the lines to cut.