A German CV, or Lebenslauf, is a tabular CV of one to two A4 pages: dates in a left column, details on the right, most recent first. It usually includes Persönliche Daten, Berufserfahrung, Ausbildung, Kenntnisse and Sprachkenntnisse. A photo is still common but not required by law, and German employers expect a full application with a cover letter (Anschreiben) and certificates.
German recruiters read a CV as a precise timeline. Gaps, vague dates and missing certificates stand out more than in many other countries, so accuracy matters more than design.
German CV section headings
| English | German | What goes there |
|---|---|---|
| Personal details | Persönliche Daten | Name, address or city, phone, email |
| Profile | Profil / Kurzprofil | 2–3 lines, optional |
| Work experience | Berufserfahrung | MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY, role, employer, achievements |
| Education | Ausbildung / Studium | Degree, institution, dates, final grade if good |
| Vocational training | Berufsausbildung | Apprenticeships and qualifications |
| Skills | Kenntnisse / EDV-Kenntnisse | Software, technical skills |
| Languages | Sprachkenntnisse | Deutsch (B2), Englisch (C1) |
| Interests | Interessen / Hobbys | Optional, short |
German CV example
Lebenslauf (fictional)
[Vorname Nachname] · [Stadt] · [Telefon] · [E-Mail] · [LinkedIn]
BERUFSERFAHRUNG: 03/2022 – heute · Softwareentwicklerin, [Firma], [Stadt] · Entwicklung von REST-APIs in Java; Ladezeit um 40 % reduziert.
08/2019 – 02/2022 · Junior-Entwicklerin, [Firma], [Stadt] · Wartung von 6 internen Anwendungen.
AUSBILDUNG: 10/2015 – 07/2019 · B.Sc. Informatik, [Universität] · Abschlussnote 1,9
KENNTNISSE: Java, Spring Boot, PostgreSQL, Docker, Git
SPRACHKENNTNISSE: Deutsch (C1, Goethe-Zertifikat), Englisch (C1), Spanisch (Muttersprache)
[Ort], [Datum] · [Unterschrift, optional]
Photo, age and personal details on a German CV
| Item | Usual practice |
|---|---|
| Photo | Still common, top right or on a cover page; not legally required, and under the AGG nobody may be disadvantaged for leaving it out |
| Date of birth, nationality | No longer mandatory; some employers still expect them |
| Marital status, religion | Leave out |
| Signature and date | Traditional on printed CVs; optional for online applications |
| Gaps | Explain briefly (Elternzeit, Weiterbildung, Jobsuche) |
The German application package (Bewerbungsunterlagen)
Recognition of foreign qualifications
If your profession is regulated in Germany, such as medicine, nursing, teaching or some engineering roles, you need official recognition (Anerkennung) before working in it. The Anerkennung in Deutschland portal explains the process. On your CV, give the original degree name and add "Anerkennung beantragt" or "anerkannt" only when that is true.
German language level on your CV
State your German level with the CEFR scale and the certificate if you have one, for example "Deutsch: B2 (telc)". Overstating it backfires fast, because interviews are often partly in German. See language levels on a CV.
Common mistakes on German CVs
- Using a long American-style resume without dates in a left column.
- Leaving unexplained gaps of several months.
- Writing years only ("2020 – 2022") instead of MM/YYYY.
- Sending the CV without the cover letter and certificates.
- Listing a degree as recognised before the recognition decision.
- What is a Lebenslauf?
- The German word for CV: a tabular overview of your career and education, usually one to two pages.
- Do I need a photo on a German CV?
- It is common but not legally required. Under the AGG, employers may not discriminate if you leave it out.
- Should a German CV be in German?
- Yes, if the job ad is in German. For English-language ads, an English CV in the same tabular structure is fine.
- How long should a German CV be?
- One to two A4 pages.
- Do I sign a German CV?
- Traditionally yes, with place and date; for online applications it is optional.
Compare formats in other countries with our CV format by country guide.
