German CV Format for English Speakers: Complete Guide

Moving to Germany for work? Your American or British CV won't cut it here.

German employers have specific expectations that differ significantly from Anglophone countries. Submit the wrong format, and you'll immediately signal that you don't understand German business culture.

The good news: you don't need to know German to write a proper German CV. This guide covers everything English speakers need to know about the Lebenslauf format, photo requirements, and cultural expectations.

Lebenslauf vs CV vs Resume: The Terminology

Before diving in, let's clarify terms:

• Lebenslauf ("life course"): The German word for CV. This is what you'll submit for most German jobs.
• CV (Curriculum Vitae): The same document. Germans use both terms interchangeably.
• Resume: Americans call it this, but in Germany, use "Lebenslauf" or "CV."
• Bewerbung: The complete application package (cover letter + CV + certificates)

In Germany, resumes are called Lebenslauf and follow anti-chronological order, meaning your most recent experience comes first.

The 3 Major Differences from English CVs

German CVs differ from American and British versions in ways that might surprise you:

1. Professional Photo (Mandatory)

A professional headshot is required on German CVs, unlike US/UK resumes. This isn't optional. While technically illegal to require (anti-discrimination law), the cultural expectation is so strong that CVs without photos are often viewed skeptically.

The photo requirements are specific:

• Professional quality (taken by a photographer, called a "Bewerbungsfoto")
• Passport-style but friendlier (slight smile is fine)
• Business attire appropriate to your industry
• Plain or gradient background
• Size: approximately 4.5cm x 6cm
• Positioned in the top right corner

2. Personal Details (More Than You'd Expect)

German employers expect to see your date of birth and nationality on your CV. This would be illegal to request in the US, but it's standard practice in Germany.

Include:

• Date of birth (not age, the actual date)
• Place of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status (optional but common)

3. Chronological Format (Anti-Chronological)

German CVs use anti-chronological order (most recent first), and the structure tends to be more tabular than narrative. There's less emphasis on achievement bullets and more on clear, structured presentation of your career timeline.

Section-by-Section in English

Here's how each German CV section translates:

Persönliche Daten (Personal Details)

Berufserfahrung (Work Experience)

Format:

MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY    Company Name, City
                     Job Title
                     - Key responsibility or achievement
                     - Second point

The date range goes on the left in a clear column. Germans value precise, scannable formatting.

Example:

06/2020 - heute      TechCorp GmbH, Berlin
                     Senior Software Developer
                     - Led migration to microservices architecture
                     - Managed team of 4 developers
                     - Reduced deployment time by 60%

Note: "heute" means "present" in German. You can also write "present" or "current" if writing in English.

Ausbildung (Education)

German employers place significant weight on formal education and often expect to see certificates (Zeugnisse) attached to your application.

MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY    Institution Name, City
                     Degree / Qualification
                     Grade: X.X (German scale) or equivalent
                     Thesis: Title if relevant

German Grade Equivalents:

If your degree doesn't translate easily, write: "Bachelor of Science (equivalent to German Diplom)"

Kenntnisse (Skills)

German CVs often include a detailed skills section with specific proficiency levels:

KENNTNISSE / SKILLS

Sprachen / Languages:
- Englisch: Muttersprache (Native)
- Deutsch: B2 (Intermediate/Upper)
- Französisch: A2 (Basic)

IT-Kenntnisse / IT Skills:
- Microsoft Office: Sehr gut (Excellent)
- SAP: Grundkenntnisse (Basic knowledge)
- Python: Fortgeschritten (Advanced)

Führerschein / Driving licence: Klasse B (standard car)

Sprachen (Languages)

Language proficiency uses the Common European Framework (CEFR):

For English speakers applying to German companies, be honest about your German level. Many international companies operate in English, but some German language is usually expected.

Photo Requirements: The Bewerbungsfoto

This section deserves extra attention because it's where many English speakers make mistakes.

Professional Standards

The "Bewerbungsfoto" (application photo) has specific conventions:

Do:

• Get photos taken professionally (dm or Rossmann photo studios, or professional photographers)
• Wear industry-appropriate business attire
• Choose a plain or subtle gradient background
• Look directly at the camera with a confident, slight smile
• Ensure good lighting without harsh shadows

Don't:

• Crop a holiday or social media photo
• Wear casual clothing
• Use filters or heavy editing
• Include distracting backgrounds
• Submit a full-body shot (head and shoulders only)

Photo Placement

The photo typically goes in the top right corner of the first page, aligned with your personal details. Standard size is 4.5cm x 6cm, though slightly larger (up to passport photo size) is acceptable.

Can You Skip the Photo?

Technically, yes. Germany's General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) makes it illegal to require photos. In practice, most recruiters expect one, and applications without photos may be viewed as incomplete or unconventional.

If you're applying to international companies or startups, you might get away without a photo. For traditional German companies (especially in banking, law, or manufacturing), include one.

Writing in English for German Companies

Many German companies, especially in tech, operate primarily in English. Here's when you can write your CV in English:

Write in English if:

• The job posting is in English
• It's an international company with English as the working language
• You're applying to a startup in Berlin or Munich's tech scene
• The role specifically requires English fluency

Write in German (or bilingual) if:

• The job posting is in German
• It's a traditional German company
• The role involves customer contact with German speakers
• You're unsure (German is safer for traditional industries)

Bilingual CV Option

Some candidates create bilingual CVs with German section headers but English content:

BERUFSERFAHRUNG / WORK EXPERIENCE

06/2020 - Present    TechCorp GmbH, Berlin
                     Senior Software Developer
                     - Led migration to microservices architecture

This shows respect for German conventions while acknowledging your language limitations.

Common Mistakes English Speakers Make

1. Missing Photo

As discussed, German employers expect a photo. Going without one for traditional companies is risky.

2. Wrong Date Format

Germany uses DD.MM.YYYY (with periods, not slashes):

• Correct: 15.03.1990
• Incorrect: 03/15/1990 or 15/03/1990

3. Forgetting the Signature

Traditional German CVs end with a handwritten signature and date. This is becoming less common for digital applications, but some conservative employers still expect it.

Berlin, 23.01.2026

[Your signature]
Sarah Williams

4. Ignoring the Cover Letter

In Germany, the "Anschreiben" (cover letter) is essential. Applications without cover letters are often rejected without review. German cover letters have their own strict format and expectations.

5. Not Attaching Certificates

German applications often include "Zeugnisse" (certificates): degree certificates, reference letters from previous employers, and professional certifications. Not including these for traditional applications can be seen as unprofessional.

Before/After Example: US Resume to German Lebenslauf

Before (US Resume)

SARAH WILLIAMS
Marketing Manager
sarah.williams@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | LinkedIn

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Results-driven marketing manager with 7+ years of experience driving
B2B growth. Proven track record of increasing qualified leads and
optimizing conversion rates.

EXPERIENCE
Marketing Manager | TechStart Inc. | 2020 - Present
- Increased MQLs by 156% through content strategy overhaul
- Managed $500K annual marketing budget
- Led team of 4 marketing specialists

After (German Lebenslauf)

LEBENSLAUF

[Photo]                         PERSÖNLICHE DATEN
                                Sarah Williams
                                Schillerstraße 45
                                10627 Berlin

                                Telefon: +49 30 12345678
                                E-Mail: s.williams@email.com

                                Geburtsdatum: 15.03.1988
                                Geburtsort: Boston, USA
                                Staatsangehörigkeit: US-amerikanisch
                                Familienstand: Ledig

BERUFSERFAHRUNG

06/2020 - heute    TechStart GmbH, Berlin
                   Marketing Manager
                   - Steigerung der Marketing Qualified Leads um 156%
                   - Verantwortung für Marketingbudget von 500.000€
                   - Führung eines Teams von 4 Mitarbeitern

01/2017 - 05/2020  Marketing Solutions Inc., New York
                   Senior Marketing Specialist
                   - Entwicklung und Umsetzung von Content-Strategien
                   - Betreuung von 5 B2B-Kunden

AUSBILDUNG

09/2010 - 06/2014  Boston University, USA
                   Bachelor of Science in Marketing
                   Grade: 3.7 GPA (entspricht dt. Note 1,5)

KENNTNISSE

Sprachen:          Englisch (Muttersprache)
                   Deutsch (B2)

IT-Kenntnisse:     HubSpot, Salesforce, Google Analytics (Experte)
                   Adobe Creative Suite (Fortgeschritten)


Berlin, 23.01.2026

[Signature]
Sarah Williams

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply in English to German companies?

Yes, if the job posting is in English or it's an international company. When in doubt, check the company's website language or ask directly. Tech companies and startups often prefer English applications.

Do startups care about the formal CV format?

Berlin and Munich startups tend to be more relaxed. Many accept English CVs without photos, closer to US/UK style. However, even startups appreciate a clean, professional German-style format. It shows cultural awareness.

Is the photo really necessary?

Legally, no. Practically, yes, for traditional companies. For international companies and startups, you can often skip it. When unsure, include one. It rarely hurts but occasionally helps.

What if my degree doesn't have a German equivalent?

Include your degree as-is with an explanatory note: "Bachelor of Arts (equivalent to German B.A.)" or "Master's degree (comparable to German Diplom)". Credential evaluation services like anabin can provide official equivalency.

How long should a German CV be?

1-2 pages for most professionals. Unlike US one-page resumes, German employers don't penalize longer CVs if the content is relevant. Academic CVs can be significantly longer.

Should I mention my visa status?

If you need visa sponsorship, address it in your cover letter rather than the CV. If you have an existing work permit or EU citizenship, mentioning this in your personal details can be helpful.

Complete Checklist

Before submitting your German CV:

• Professional photo included (top right corner)
• Personal details include date of birth, place of birth, nationality
• Dates use German format (DD.MM.YYYY)
• Tabular, scannable format (dates in left column)
• Anti-chronological order (most recent first)
• Language skills with CEFR levels
• Signature and date at the bottom (for traditional applications)
• Cover letter (Anschreiben) prepared
• Certificates (Zeugnisse) ready to attach if requested

Relocating to Germany? For more on German CV conventions, check out our comprehensive Lebenslauf guide or our detailed guide to German CV photos.