The Lebenslauf vs. the Anglo-Saxon Resume
A German Lebenslauf is more structured and detailed than a typical English-language resume. It includes a professional photo, full date of birth, nationality, and marital status. While anti-discrimination laws exist, these personal details are still expected by most German employers — omitting them may raise questions.
Include a Professional Photo
German CVs traditionally include a professional headshot in the top-right corner. The photo should be a recent, high-quality portrait shot with a neutral background. Business attire is expected for corporate roles. Use our photo upload tool to crop and position your image perfectly.
Personal Details Section
Place these details at the top: full name, address, phone, email, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, and marital status. While date of birth and nationality are optional under EU law, they remain standard practice in Germany.
Chronological Order: Newest First
German employers expect reverse-chronological order for both work experience and education. Include exact dates (month/year) with no unexplained gaps. If you took time off, explain it briefly — e.g., "Parental leave" or "Language course in Germany".
Education and Qualifications
List your highest degree first. Include the institution name, degree title, field of study, and final grade. For international candidates, consider mentioning the equivalent German grade or a brief explanation of your grading system.
Language Skills Are Critical
For international candidates applying in Germany, language skills can make or break an application. List your German level using the CEFR framework (A1–C2). Be honest — many employers will test your language skills in the interview.
Sign and Date Your CV
A formal Lebenslauf traditionally ends with a handwritten signature and the place and date: "Berlin, 15. Januar 2025". For digital applications, a scanned signature or a clean text signature is acceptable. This signals professionalism and attention to German customs, which matter disproportionately in the German-speaking market.
How to Structure Work Experience on a Lebenslauf
Under "Berufserfahrung", list jobs in reverse-chronological order with MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY dates on the left and the employer and role on the right. Follow each entry with 3–5 concise bullet points describing responsibilities and measurable results. Use the German tradition of starting each bullet with a noun rather than a verb ("Entwicklung von…" instead of "Entwickelt…") — this is common in traditional Lebensläufe, though verb-first lines are increasingly accepted in tech companies.
Length and Page Layout Expectations in Germany
Two pages is the standard and often the maximum for a Lebenslauf, even for senior candidates. Use a clean, single-column layout with 2–2.5 cm margins, 10–11pt body text, and generous spacing between sections. German recruiters value clarity and structure over visual flair. A color accent is fine, but avoid dark backgrounds, dense icons, or photos anywhere other than the top of page one.
Should You Translate Foreign Qualifications?
Always include the original degree name ("Bachelor of Science in Computer Science") followed by the closest German equivalent in parentheses ("entspricht Bachelor of Science in Informatik"). For regulated professions (medicine, law, teaching), mention any anabin classification or official German recognition (Anerkennung) you hold. Recruiters outside HR may not recognize foreign universities, so a one-line note about ranking or accreditation ("top 3 technical university in Ukraine") can help.
What to Include in "Weitere Kenntnisse"
The "Weitere Kenntnisse" (further skills) section typically includes languages (with CEFR levels), IT / software skills, driver's licence class if relevant ("Führerschein Klasse B"), and optionally hobbies that show cultural fit or discipline. Keep it focused — 6–10 lines maximum. Hobbies matter more in Germany than in some markets: "Mannschaftssport" (team sport) or "Ehrenamt" (volunteering) signal reliability and social skills without sounding generic.