Photo is expected
A neutral, professional headshot sits top-right on page one. Legally optional, culturally still standard — leaving it out invites questions.
German CV format (Lebenslauf)
German employers read a very specific document: two pages, a photo, a dated table of every role and a signature at the end. Here is the structure, then let us rewrite your CV into it.
Rewrite my CV for GermanyThe four rules that differ most from a resume
Strictly chronological, tabular
Reverse-chronological entries in a two-column table: dates on the left (MM/YYYY–MM/YYYY), role, employer and city on the right. No gaps left unexplained.
Personal details up front
Full name, address, phone, email and date of birth. Nationality and marital status are optional now but common in traditional sectors.
Language levels by CEFR
State German and English as A1–C2 or 'Muttersprache'. Vague words like 'fluent' are read as unverified.
Lebenslauf structure, in order
- 1
Persönliche Daten
Name, address, phone, email, date of birth, photo.
- 2
Berufserfahrung
Roles newest first with dates, employer, city and 3–5 result-focused bullets.
- 3
Ausbildung
Degrees with dates, institution, final grade (Note) and thesis title where relevant.
- 4
Weiterbildung / Zertifikate
Courses, certifications and licences with issuing body and year.
- 5
Kenntnisse
IT skills and tools, with a level for each.
- 6
Sprachen
Each language with its CEFR level.
- 7
Ort, Datum, Unterschrift
Place, date and signature closing the document.
Mistakes that get applications rejected
- Sending a US-style resume with a summary paragraph and no dates table.
- Unexplained employment gaps — German recruiters expect every month accounted for.
- Missing the Anschreiben (cover letter) and certificates (Zeugnisse), which usually accompany the Lebenslauf.
- Translating job titles literally instead of using the recognised German equivalent.
- Design-heavy templates with columns and icons that screening software cannot parse.
Get a Lebenslauf-ready version of your CV
Upload your current CV, pick Germany as your target country and get a scored review plus three rewritten versions — one tuned for screening software, one for the hiring manager and one shaped to German conventions.