How to write a CV (Lebenslauf) for jobs in Germany

The German CV at a glance

• A Lebenslauf is usually one to two pages, laid out in clear rows with dates on the left (month and year). Ending with the place, date and your signature is traditional but now optional.
• Most recent experience first, then education, skills and languages.
• Language levels on the CEFR scale (A1 to C2), including your German.
• Contact details: name, phone, email, city, and LinkedIn or XING if you use them.
• Write it in German for German-language job ads. International companies often accept English.

Photo, date of birth and personal details

German anti-discrimination law (the AGG) means employers can’t require a photo or personal details, and many applicants now leave them out. A professional photo is still common and accepted if you choose to add one.

• Optional: a professional photo, your date of birth and nationality.
• Leave off: marital status, religion, children and your tax or social security numbers.
• If you’re from outside the EU, a short line on your work permit status helps.

The rest of the application

• A cover letter (Anschreiben) of about one page, written for this job. It’s expected for most roles.
• Employer references (Arbeitszeugnisse) from previous German jobs, and copies of key certificates, if the ad asks for them.
• Send everything as one tidy PDF unless the employer uses an online form.
• If your qualifications are from abroad, mention whether they’ve been recognised in Germany.

Tailor it to each job

• Search StepStone, LinkedIn and the Federal Employment Agency’s job portal.
• Mirror the terms used under Anforderungen (requirements) and Aufgaben (duties) for what you genuinely have.
• Make every date and title consistent between your Lebenslauf, cover letter and certificates.
• Explain gaps briefly; German employers notice unexplained gaps in the timeline.

Common mistakes

• An English CV for a German-language ad.
• Unexplained gaps or vague dates.
• A generic Anschreiben that doesn’t mention the company or role.
• Typos, which German employers often treat as carelessness.

Sample CV

A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.

Why it works

• Clear dated rows, month and year, with no gaps.
• German level stated on the CEFR scale, with the certificate.
• Work permit and degree recognition in one line.
• No photo, date of birth or tax number: optional or not needed under the AGG.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Logistics coordinator

Precise scale and a measurable result suit German employers’ preference for facts.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

Show internships (Praktika), working student jobs (Werkstudent) and your thesis topic, with clear dates. One to two pages.

Changing careers

Explain the change in your Anschreiben, and list retraining (Weiterbildung) with dates and certificates.

Experienced

Two pages. Keep every date consistent with your references (Arbeitszeugnisse) and lead with results that match the Anforderungen.

CV keywords for ATS

Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.

Logistics coordinator

SAP, shipment planning, customs, Incoterms, carrier management

Software developer

Java, Spring, TypeScript, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Agile (Scrum)

Nurse (Pflegefachkraft)

patient care, documentation, recognition of qualification (Anerkennung), German B2

Questions