A German CV, the Lebenslauf, is factual and tidy. It reads like a table: dates on the left, what you did on the right. German recruiters expect complete dates and are wary of unexplained gaps.
The layout
- Persönliche Daten: name, address, phone, email. Date of birth and nationality are common but optional.
- Berufserfahrung (work experience): newest first, dates as MM/YYYY, job title, employer, city and a few bullet points.
- Ausbildung (education): degree, university, dates, final grade if good.
- Kenntnisse (skills): languages with levels, IT skills, certifications.
- Optional: interests, volunteering.
Languages need a level
Give each language a CEFR level, A1 to C2, or say native. "German: B2" is clear; "German: good" is not. For many jobs in Germany, the German level is one of the first things a recruiter checks.
Photo and date of birth
The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) of 2006 bans discrimination in hiring, including in selection criteria, on grounds such as age, gender and ethnic origin. A photo is optional: TU Ilmenau's CV checklist calls it optional but still common, and notes that date and place of birth are still often included. It is your call. Dossier templates do not support photos yet; if you want one, you would add it outside the builder.
Length and signing
One to two pages. A Lebenslauf traditionally ends with the date and your signature, handwritten or digital, and TU Ilmenau's checklist still lists this as standard German practice.
Gaps
List every period, including job searches, study, parental leave or travel. A line such as "03/2023 – 09/2023 Elternzeit" (parental leave) is normal. See explaining an employment gap.
The application folder
A full German application often includes a cover letter (Anschreiben), the CV, and copies of degree and job references (Arbeitszeugnisse). Check the job post for what it wants.
The Europa template is built for EU and German CVs. Start a German CV and dates switch to 03/2024 style with nationality and date of birth fields shown.
Questions people ask
- Do I need a photo on a German CV?
- No. It is optional, though still common. The AGG bans discrimination in hiring on grounds such as age, gender and ethnic origin, so whether to add one is your choice.
- How long should a German CV be?
- One to two pages for most candidates.
- Should a German CV be in reverse chronological order?
- Yes. Newest first is the standard today.