A German CV — the Lebenslauf — follows conventions that are meaningfully different from UK, US, or Canadian norms, and treating it as a simple translation of an English CV is one of the most common mistakes international applicants make. Here's what actually changes.
German CVs are almost universally written in a tabular, reverse-chronological format — dates in a clear left-hand column, details in a right-hand column, for both work experience and education. This structured, highly scannable layout is the expected norm, not a stylistic choice.
Unlike the US, UK, or Canada, a professional headshot (Bewerbungsfoto) in the top-right corner of the CV remains common in Germany, though its use has been gradually declining and is not legally required. If you include one, invest in a genuinely professional, neutral-background photo — a casual photo can do more harm than including none at all.
German CVs traditionally include a "Persönliche Daten" (personal details) section with full name, address, date and place of birth, and nationality. Marital status and number of children were historically included too, but this is increasingly discouraged and considered outdated under evolving German and EU privacy and anti-discrimination norms — many current guidance sources now recommend leaving marital status off entirely. When in doubt, include only what's directly relevant.
In Germany, the cover letter is treated as an essential, weighted part of the application — not a nice-to-have. German employers generally expect a full, tailored Anschreiben alongside the Lebenslauf, and a generic or missing cover letter is a much bigger red flag here than in more CV-centric markets like the UK.
German applications often include copies of relevant certificates, degrees, and reference letters (Arbeitszeugnisse) as attachments, especially for more formal or traditional industries. This is far more common than in English-speaking markets, where such documents are usually only requested later in the process.
Traditionally, a German CV ends with a handwritten-style signature and the date, placed at the bottom. This convention is fading for digital/email applications but is still worth including for a polished, locally-appropriate look, particularly for more traditional or public-sector employers.
💡 Before you send it: run your draft through our free ATS Resume Checker to catch formatting and keyword issues before a recruiter — or an ATS — ever sees it.
For most German employers, yes — a German-language Lebenslauf and Anschreiben are expected even if the role itself is English-speaking. International companies with English as a working language are a common exception, but check the job posting's language first.
No, it's not legally required, and its use has declined. But it remains common enough that including a professional one is still considered a safe, conventional choice for most industries.
One to two pages is standard, similar to UK conventions — the tabular format naturally keeps things compact even when there's a fair amount of detail to include.
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