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How a German CV differs
A German CV is a Lebenslauf, usually written in table form (“tabellarisch”). Germany’s Federal Employment Agency describes it in its application guide, the Bewerbungskompass:
- Tabular and without gaps: month and year in their own column, the current job first.
- Personal details: name, full postal address, phone, email.
- Optional: date and place of birth, nationality, marital status and children, religion — the guide says to leave them out when in doubt.
- Skills (Kenntnisse): languages, computer skills, driving licence.
- Place, date and signature at the end — the guide lists them under “do not forget”.
On photos, the guide is clear that employers may no longer ask for one — and equally clear that photos are still common. It is your choice.
In English or in German
This page opens the builder in the German format. Keep the CV language at German for a German employer or an authority, or switch it to English: the layout stays German — dates on the left, signature at the end — and the headings become English. Headings, date format and fixed phrases follow the CV language; what you type is not translated.
Language levels
German CVs give language skills on the Common European Framework scale (A1–C2), ideally with the certificate: “German: B2 (Goethe-Zertifikat)”. The builder prints the level in the CV’s language — in German, B2 becomes “sehr gute Kenntnisse (B2)” and C1 “verhandlungssicher (C1)”.
Qualifications from abroad
Write the degree so both are recognisable — the closest German or English equivalent and the original title — and give the school, city and country for every entry. If your profession needs formal recognition (Anerkennung) in Germany, the authority may ask for a German CV without gaps, dated and signed — the health-profession authorities in Baden-Württemberg, for example, ask for exactly that; choose “Recognition or visa application” as the purpose and the form switches the signature on and points out every gap of three months or more.
The application as one PDF
In the Federal Employment Agency’s sample applications, the cover letter (Anschreiben), CV and certificates go out as one PDF. Write the cover letter in the same builder and download both together; add certificates with merge PDF.
How to write a German CV
Step 1: Start in the German format
This page opens the builder set to German rules.
Step 2: Choose German or English
German for German employers and authorities; English where the advert is in English.
Step 3: Fill in every station with dates
Month and year, city and country. The checks show any gap of three months or more.
Step 4: Sign and download
Add place, date and signature — drawn, or a photo of your signature — and download the PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a photo on a German CV?
No. Employers may not require one, though many applicants still include it. The photo is optional in the builder.
Does a German CV have to be signed?
The Federal Employment Agency’s guide reminds applicants to end with place, date and signature, and some recognition authorities require a signed, dated CV.
Can I write a German-format CV in English?
Yes. Choose the German format and set the CV language to English. For recognition and visa files, check whether the authority wants it in German.
How long should a German CV be?
Usually one or two pages. The checks show the page count.
Related Tools
- Cover Letter MakerWrite it section by section with ready-made sentences; your name, design and signature come from your CV, and both download as one PDF.
- Free CV Maker with Cover Letter — No Sign-UpBuild a CV and a cover letter in German, Turkish or international format and download the PDF. No account, no card, and nothing you type leaves your device.