germany resume format doc

German CV Template in English [Ultimate English Guide]

Researched & written

by Jen Palacios

May 27, 2024

If you’re searching for a German-style CV in English that will increase your chances of nailing more job interviews in Germany, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, you will find tips for creating a CV that follows the German format, as well as the chance to purchase our German CV template in English that you can use on your next job application.

According to a recent study done by Stepstone, 91% of HR recruiters name the CV as the most important document of an application .

Recruiters and HR spend less than 30 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether it goes to the next round or not.

🖌️ Table of Contents

Simple German-style CV template in English

A CV is the first impression you will make. Like all first impressions, your CV only has a few seconds to impress hiring managers. The goal of your CV is to get you an invitation to a job interview .

“Remember, the person reviewing your CV may review 50+ others that day. Making it easy to quickly understand your information will make you stand out more than a quirky design or information overload.” by Jamie Rogers, Tech Recruiter in Germany working for Darwin Recruitment

We highly recommend investing some time in polishing your CV before applying for jobs in Germany. Here is an overview of the format German HR, recruiters, and hiring managers would expect in a CV:

If you don’t want to spend time designing your own CV, you can download our German-Style CV template in English from our shop.

• Easy-to-edit CV template in English that follows German standards for Microsoft Word and Mac Pages
• 2 REAL WORLD CV Examples
• 50-page in-depth guide to nail each section in your CV
• 30-day money-back guarantee

How to write a German CV ( Lebenslauf ) in English

The expectation of a German recruiter might be different than what you are used to. 

The German CV ( Lebenslauf ) is considered less of a marketing product and more of a factual document. You are encouraged to write real, hard facts and avoid all kinds of fluff or self-promoting sentences. HR departments in Germany prefer the KISS method: Keep It Short & Simple.

In Germany, a CV is between one and a maximum of two pages and has five or six sections. Let’s explore each one in more detail.

1. Personal Information

The minimum personal details you should include in this section are your name and your address. German recruiters expect to see a few more personal details about you, though. So if you don’t add all the personal information described below, be prepared to answer some similar questions during your interviews.

Good To Know

Just like in many other countries, it is illegal for companies to reject an application based on gender, age, race, or sexual orientation.

Most Germans include additional personal information in their CV. As an expat, it is important to understand how this extra information might help you in your application.

• Passport size photo : As per Jamie, a tech recruiter in Germany, “ a profile picture should be professional but not too formal. Think happy, welcoming, and relaxed – not a formal suit and tie (unless you are searching for a job in law or finance). ” Germans will judge your professionalism based on this picture, so make it count! There are some foreign names that Germans are not used to hearing, so providing a photo might help them know what pronoun to use for you.
• First and last name : Germans usually have only one first name and one last name. For those who have long names (I have two first and two last names), I would recommend using the first name you want to be called by and the last name. This reduces confusion on the employer’s side on what name to use. I had an Egyptian colleague who added all of her names to her application, and this led to confusion. The employer took her first two names and considered them to be a first and last name. This was a mess when they sent her the contract and set her email address.
• Address : Don’t forget to include your country!
• Phone number : Only add this if you have a German phone number . If your phone number is required, make sure to add it with the correct country code.
• Email address : Use a professional email address consisting of your name.
• Nationality : This could help the employer know if they will need to sponsor a work visa for you or not.
• Date of birth : Written DD/MM/YYYY.
• Short profile (optional) : A summary of your skills and qualifications. Mention in two to three sentences why you are relevant for the job you are applying for.

Additionally, feel free to add professional social networks, such as LinkedIn or the German Xing. If you are a techy, you must include your GitHub !

2. Work Experience

Start with your most recent job and highlight relevant experience for the position you are applying. For each position, make sure to include the: 

• Name of the company
• Title of your position
• Type of work you did : For example, part-time, full-time, internship, just for the project, etc.
• Dates you were employed : Include the month and year.
• Country  
• Key responsibilities : We recommend listing your responsibilities as bullet points to make it easier for the reader to scan through your CV. Remember to stick to the facts.
• Translate achievements: Be sure to translate your responsibilities into factual achievements, e.g. increased sales by 20% or increased conversion by 15%.

Germans like to read ‘gapless’ curriculum vitae. So if you took a year off between your jobs to travel, you should mention this in your CV. Any gap above three months is worth mentioning in your CV.

Also, you are encouraged to mention any voluntary work you have done.

“Context is critical! That’s why ‘Work Experience’ is the most important part of a CV. It’s the part that we learn where and how you have applied the skills listed elsewhere in a CV.” by Jamie Rogers, Tech Recruiter in Germany in Darwin Recruitment

3. Education

This section should have your education, including secondary and higher education. You should list your latest education degree first. Each degree should include:

• Name of your university or school
• Program that you studied
• Period you studied for : make sure to include the month and the year
• City and country you studied in

Use this section to list any other relevant qualifications or skills to the role. Some examples of what you can include are:

• Languages : Make sure to indicate the language and the proficiency level
• Computer skills : Mention any IT skill you have which is relevant to the position
• Relevant achievements or certificates
• Driver’s license (optional): Some jobs might require you to drive the company car to go to fairs or for other purposes. So make sure to include the driver’s license you have and for what type of vehicle. 

Read Our Related Guide

German Driving License Explained

5. Hobbies And Interests (Optional)

In this optional section, you can feel free to include any hobbies or interests that might be relevant to the position. Remember, Germans love facts, so if you add this section, make it short and sweet.

Also, try to be specific about your interests. Travel is very generic, and almost everyone loves to do it. 

6. Your Signature

Bonus points if you add this to your CV. Germans usually sign their CV with the date and their name.

Once you have created your CV, download it as a PDF and then digitally sign it by using a tool like Smallpdf .

German or English – In which language should you write your CV?

If you are applying for an English-speaking job, it is a good idea to write your CV in English. Since you are applying for a job in Germany, chances are a German person will look over your CV. If you are learning German, you can write your CV in English and indicate in the language section that you are currently learning the language.

Can I work in Germany without speaking German?

If your German level is good enough, go for it! Just a word of caution, though: Germans, like any other sane person, dislike typos and grammatical errors. So you better have a native German proofread your CV. Also, make sure only to do this if your German is good enough to handle the interview in German as well. If you create your CV in German, you are already setting the expectations for your future employer that you have good German skills.

Regardless of the language you choose for your CV, make sure to follow the standards German hiring managers expect. 

Final Thoughts

In this guide, you learned that a CV in Germany is a one to two-page factual document, and it is not used as a promotional tool. You can add your soft skills and other details of your experience in your cover letter .

German Cover Letter Guide with English Sample

German recruiters and employers expect to receive an application free of typos and grammatical mistakes. So only send your CV in German if you are truly confident with the language.

Download our German-Style CV template in English from our shop to save you time and clear all potential doubts about what to include in your resume for the German job market.

Remember only to include information that is relevant to your role and the job requirements. Now, it is time for you to scout the job market in Germany and get your dream job.

Happy job hunting!

About the Author

Jen Palacios is a researcher and writer at Simple Germany specializing in aiding international skilled workers to navigate the complexities of German life.

Jen brings a unique immigrant perspective to her writing. Beyond her professional pursuits, Jen is an avid learner with interests ranging from woodworking to web development.

She is committed to writing guides and producing YouTube videos for Simple Germany that provide practical guidance for internationals aiming to settle into life in Germany more smoothly.

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German Resume Guide: Template, Formats & Writing Tips [2024]

Germany is one of the countries in Europe that has tremendous career opportunities for English-speaking candidates from around the globe.

German companies are known for their precision and attention to detail. That's exactly what they're looking for in a German resume .

All resume examples in this guide

German Resume Example

Ben Stroke ‍ Direktionsassistent https://www.linkedin.com/in/benst

Persönliche Daten

Ändern : 28 Geschlecht männlich Beziehungsstatus: Verheiratet E-Mail: [email protected] Telefon: 0211 4535961

Master in Strategischem Marketing, 2018-2019 Columbia University, New York

Bachelorstudium Betriebswirtschaftslehre, 2014-2018 Columbia University, New York

Arbeitsgeschichte

K-Mart Supermarkt Stellvertretender Filialleiter August 2017 bis heute New York City

• Verwaltetes Inventar für 3 Einzelhandelsgeschäfte, einschließlich Quittungen und Retouren
• Durchgeführt Rekrutierung für Geschäfte
• Verantwortlich für das Erreichen der monatlichen Umsatzziele ‍

Erobern Sie Restaurants Stellvertretender Restaurantleiter Juni 2014 bis August 2017 New York City

• Verantwortlich für Menüänderungen und Verfügbarkeit
• Social-Media-Marketing für Seiz
• Verantwortlich für die Verbesserung der Kundenzufriedenheit und Bewertung
• Zusammenarbeit mit Marketingagenturen von Drittanbietern ‍

Fähigkeiten

• Verhandlung und Kommunikation mit Lieferanten
• Starke Führung
• Budgetierung
• Digitales Marketing
• Datenanalyse ‍

Fähigkeitszertifizierungen

• Abgeschlossene digitale Garage von Google für digitales Marketing und SEO
• Microsoft Office-Spezialist: Excel Associate abgeschlossen ‍
• Social-Media-affin
• Verfassen eines Newsletters zum Thema Marketing (3000+ Leser) ‍

A German CV is called Lebenslauf – a factual document of the information of the candidate. This CV is quite different from a typical American-style resume. To get a well-paid job in Germany relevant to your area of expertise, you should be able to write a perfect German CV.

Whether you are a student looking to emigrate to Germany or a professional looking to work overseas in a German-speaking company, this article will help you:

• To find the best resume format and layout
• To pick the right cv templates that fit the German Corporate Culture
• To write each section of the German CV
• To identify the DOs and DON’Ts in writing a German-style resume

We will also cover everything you need to know about writing a CV for jobs in German-speaking countries like Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Liechtenstein.

In order to demonstrate the correct structure of a German resume, we have provided an example resume for an assistant manager:

Differences Between the German-style Resume and the American-style Resume

German CV specifications and American standards have many differences. Most standard resume practices in Germany are affected by their culture and the way the corporate works.

For instance, strict labor laws in Germany have made it difficult for companies to fire employees – making recruitment decisions critical. Most recruiters expect much detail about the candidate before making a final decision.

Here is a list of differences between the CVs in the two styles 👇:

Nevertheless, multinational companies have started to seek American-style resumes when hiring for their German subsidiaries. Most of the small and medium-sized businesses in Germany still prefer their own style of CVs.

How to Write A German Resume

As in writing any resume, you should first start with defining your CV layout, format, and template.

A typical German resume layout is as follows:

• Resume header
• Work experience
• Additional sections

The main difference in this layout is that it does not have a Professional Summary or an Objective Summary as in most American-style resumes. German resumes are considered factual documents – that do not include a sales pitch about the candidate.

The format defines the way you present your experience section. There are mainly three standard formats:

• Functional (skill-based): experience is listed based on the relevant skills.
• Reverse Chronological (traditional) : The most recent experience is listed first, followed by the rest of the work experience in reverse chronological order.
• Hybrid (combination resume) : a combination of functional and reverse chronological formats.

For the German resumes, we recommend using the reverse-chronological format to list your work experience as German hiring managers are more interested in your recent experience.

German CV Template

Picking the right resume template would be extremely important as German CVs are not considered a good place to showcase your creativity. However, a CV template could still be used to make a great first impression.

The recruiters prefer CVs with limited colors and text formatting. Therefore, use a template that is simple yet well-structured. Avoid using contrasting colors, or different fonts.

You can check out some of our ready-to-fill resume templates for your next German resume.

Create my CV

Begin Your German CV with The Header

As in American-style resumes, German CV starts with the header – but keep in mind the header in a German resume is way different than the American one.

Compared to an American resume that contains the name and contact information in the header, a German resume includes personal and contact information (Persönliches und Kontaktinformationen) .

Personal details

This shows a major difference from American resumes. German recruiters expect a certain level of personal information of the candidate to make a hiring decision. You can always choose not to disclose some of this information though.

• Name - Name
• Marital status - Familienstand
• Age/ Date of birth - Geboren
• Nationality - Staatsangehörigkeit

Contact details

Contact details should include the following:

• Address - Adresse
• Phone number - Telefonnummer
• Email - Mail
• Link to your personal portfolio or the LinkedIn profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/levid

Gender: Male

Marital status: Single

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0211 3465978

The photo: Vital on The German CV

Another important part of a German resume header is the attachment of a professional photo of the candidate. This is a common practice in Germany whereas, in America, Canada, the UK, Australia, and some other countries, this is considered a capital offense – one that can send your CV straight to trash.

While you selecting a template , make sure you pick one with space to add a picture.

Here are the key photo guidelines you should consider:

• The photo should be a professional headshot – showcasing head and the shoulder only
• Dress appropriately for the photo. Try to wear low contracting colors that go with the resume colors
• Consider hiring a professional photographer
• Choose a suitable background color or a composition
• Keep your eyes on the camera
• Smile and let your personality shine through
• Do not use selfies
• Avoid distracting hairstyles or fashions
• Avoid holiday or party photos

Experience (Berufserfahrung)

As in the American resumes, you should use reverse-chronological format to write the experience section – starting with the most recent experience and going backward.

What is different here is how you write the section and the information you provide about the previous employer.

Steal this format to write your experience section👇

• Company name and industry
• Job title: you can list multiple job roles you held in the same company
• Time period
• Location: State the country and the region
• Description: Short description highlighting the duties and key responsibilities you held and the type of work you carried out

Writing the description in your work experience would be quite different from an American resume. Here, you do not have to write about the skills utilized while doing the job, achievements in your job, or the accomplishments – only write the factual information about your work.

In contrast to American resumes, instead of writing about jobs that are irrelevant to the position you apply for, write about an internship or a volunteering work you have participated in.

Here is an example experience section for a teacher:

Sprachlehrer

Aug 2018 to May 2021

• Kursmaterial für die Sprachen Deutsch, Englisch und Französisch erstellt
• Vorbereitete Aufgaben und Tests
• Durchführung von Klassen für Schüler der Sekundarstufe und des
• Einzelne Klassenaufzeichnungen aktualisiert
• Verantwortlich für den jährlichen Modulwechsel

Education (Ausbildung)

The education section in German resumes usually come before experience. This is partly because German hiring managers give more value to your education and skills rather than your achievements.

However, you can place this section before or after work experience based on your profile – if you have a strong academic background, you could give priority to the education section.

When listing your education, use reverse chronological format to state the latest education qualifications first.

Both your secondary education and higher education are important for the German CV.

German GPA scale system is different from the USA system which ranges from 5 (the lowest) to 1 (the highest) as opposed to the USA scale system which goes from 0 (lowest) to 4 (highest).

If you possess good grades that you want to communicate, make sure you do that without confusing the German employers.

Shortly state the key learnings of each degree or educational qualification.

Here is an example education section for a German resume:

Bachelorstudium Betriebswirtschaftslehre, 2013-2016

Australische Nationaluniversität

• Rekrutierung
• HR-Strategie
• Arbeitgebermarke

Höheres Nationales Diplom in Informationstechnologie 2018-2019

Institut für Informatik, Melbourne

• Fortgeschrittene Computerkenntnisse
• C-, C++-, Java-Programmierung

Skills ( Fähigkeiten)

Unlike in the American resumes, you should not use the skills section to promote yourself in the German CV – as your resume should only include factual information.

Write a mix of soft skills and hard skills giving priority to your hard skills.

Soft skills

These are the skills that characterize your relationship with others and provide the recruiter an idea as to how you behave under different situations. These are more generic skills and difficult to prove.

• People skill
• Negotiation and communication skills
• Business intelligence
• Problem-solving
• Organizational skills

Hard skills

Often based on your most recent job experience or education. German recruiters value these because they are industry-specific.

• MS Office 360 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Programming in Java, Python, C++
• Object-oriented programming
• Artificial Intelligence
• Saas product marketing

Refer to the German job description to find out the key skills they’re looking for. Five to seven skills in bullet points would be ideal.

About Me: Summarize Your Professional Profile

The professional summary section accounts for the major difference between American and German-style resumes.

In American resumes, a professional summary stands as a sales pitch to the hiring manager highlighting the key skills, expertise, and achievements of the candidate. It also emphasizes why they should hire the candidate and how his/ her expertise could be beneficial to the company.

German resumes on the other hand do not require such sales pitching from the candidate – it’s a factual document of the candidate’s education, experience, and skills.

Therefore, a German resume does not consist of a professional summary .

However, if you’re applying for a multinational in Germany with foreign management, you may still include a professional summary on your resume. If you wish to include one on your resume, below is an example that may help. 👇

Professional Summary for a Software Developer

Ein Softwareentwickler mit über 5 Jahren Erfahrung und praktischer Erfahrung in C++, JAVA, Python und PHP, der nach einer Gelegenheit in einer leitenden Position sucht

Ein leidenschaftlicher Software-Ingenieur mit über 5 Jahren Erfahrung freut sich darauf, GETECH in Deutschland beizutreten, um die auf künstlicher Intelligenz basierende Produktlinie auf die nächste Stufe zu bringen. In meiner vorherigen Position bei US TECH habe ich einen KI-basierten Videoersteller mit Python und JAVA entwickelt, der für 20 Millionen US-Dollar verkauft wurde

Professional Objective

A Professional Objective is similar to a Professional Summary, which you should not repeat on the resume. The Professional Objective is intended for those with limited work experience: students and candidates going through a career transition.

However, we advise you not to include this section on your German resume.

Additional sections for your German Resume

Additional sections are a great way to provide factual information that will influence the HR recruiter’s decision. Below we have highlighted the type of additional sections you can include in your German resume. Take a good look and only include the sections that are relevant to your personal profile.

Language proficiency is something that most recruiters are concerned about. If you are an ex-pat looking for an employment opportunity in the Germany, having proficiency in German language would be a big plus.

Your fluency in English and other EU languages will give you an edge in the shortlisting process.

When you are writing the language section, have a look at the Common European Framework of Reference ( CEFR ).

Examples for Education on German Resume

English Proficiency

German Intermediate

French Beginners

Also, check out our ready-to-fill resume templates where you can find plenty of German-style resume templates that come with simple yet great features to demonstrate your language proficiency and other sections.

Computer Skills & Certifications

If you have completed any course on computer science, programming, or information technology, you may list them here.

Having basic computer and system literacy would be valuable in any job as German companies employ many computer-based systems in their businesses.

Some jobs in Germany require the candidate to present a valid skills certification. Mention it if you already hold one. If not make sure you apply for one immediately. For instance, if you are applying for a job that involves you driving a vehicle, you should have the required EU driving license.

Publications

If you are a student or applying for an academic-related job, you may list the research papers and publications that are under your name.

German recruiters are a little biased towards the educational qualifications of the candidates. Therefore, if you have such academic achievements, make sure you put them in an additional section to gain more visibility.

Interests and Hobbies

This is another place where the German resume differs from the American one. You can list a couple of personal interests in your German resume.

However, make it relevant to the job you apply for.

Whether the CV is German or American, it should only include the relevant information. In a full factual document, this is the only chance you get to express your personality and communicate how you would fit into the organization’s culture. The interests you mention here should add value to your candidacy – not just the things you do in your free time.

Examples for interests and hobbies on German Resume

• Reading books
• Collecting coins
• Watching Football matches
• Writing blogs for an international sports channel
• An active member of Toastmasters club
• Writing a monthly newsletter on technology

Candidate Signature

This final section completes the German resume: date and the signature of the candidate. As you have the flexibility to add a couple of pages to your German resume, keep space to put the date and signature at the bottom.

Do not put a separate section naming it as “Candidate Signature”. You can also put your e-signature here.

Tips to Improve Your Resume in German

Make your next German CV stand out from the crowd with these pro tips:

• Check the job description to determine whether the potential employer expects the CV to be in English or German
• Include a link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio website in the header of your document. Verify that the link works in both PDF format and MS Word format.
• Choose the right resume template that matches German Corporate Culture as well as your personality – check out our ready-to-fill resume templates .
• Get your final CV draft checked by a native German writer.
• Prepare a cover letter to go along with your resume – check out our cover letter templates to get an idea

The Facts of the German Job Market

Germany’s salaries are among the highest in Europe. Statistics suggest Germany’s average salary is around 42,500 Euros a year 💰 ( statista.com ), whereas Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Iceland top the list with 65k, 66k, and 67k annual salaries consecutively.

Nevertheless, Germany is a popular destination for English-speaking professionals and workers to settle in relatively good careers.

Summary: Write a Perfect German Resume

• Be factual rather than self-promotional.
• Include your name, contact information, and personal information in the header of your resume.
• Do not include a professional summary.
• The experience section should be succinct, and factual.
• Showcase your education qualifications together with key learnings.
• Include a combination of soft and hard skills.
• Use additional sections such as languages, skills certifications, and interests to demonstrate relevant extra traits.
• Put your signature and date at the end of the document.
• Your German resume could extend to a couple of pages (ideally 2 to 3).

Complement Your Resume with Your Cover Letter

A cover letter would be a great way to showcase your personality and achievements to the hiring manager.

As the German resume only focuses on the factual information of the candidate, the cover letter can be used to describe your interest in the company and the position.

You could write about your key achievements in the previous job, how your experience and skills helped the previous employer, and how that would be potentially valuable to the new employer.

Have a look at our cover letter templates to create a great cover letter for your German recruiter.

FAQs about the German Resume

German recruiters are very much concerned about employment gaps in your CV. However, having career gaps is natural for most candidates.

If you have a gap in your career, you should disclose it to the recruiter without trying to hide it in the resume.

State what you did in that period. This may include volunteering, traveling, taking part in a research project, or taking part in an expedition. You should include this information in your German CV.

It depends on the company and the position you apply for. If you’re applying for a job in a multinational organization in Germany, they would expect your resume in English. However, most German companies operate in Germany.

Refer to the job advertisement for the language requirements. Use the language of the job advertisement if there is no reference to the CV language.

The German market goes beyond its language. In many cases, even if you don’t master the German language, your English skills may be highly desirable. However, we do recommend having a basic command before aspiring to jobs abroad.

Create your resume with the best templates

What’s a Rich Text element?

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Create your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed cover letter templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

Sample letters to download

Cover Letter

Advice for getting a job, instructions.

How to Write a German CV? Free Template, Example Word / Docx, Tips.

Stay calm. Creating a German CV is not atomic physics science. You must know that every country has its own preferences when it comes to structure and content in the CV. German HR departments expect that your CV will be Short and Simple. Recruiters usually 7 to 12 seconds read a CV to check if a candidate matches the job requirements. It's not a joke. A few seconds have an impact on Your job career. If you are not applying for a specialized job position, you only need to prepare a 1-page A4 resume with the most important information relating to the job offer.

When writing a German resume, be specific (this rule also applies to writing resumes in other languages) . After all, you know what the content of the job offer was. What skills and experience the employer expects from the candidate. Match the document to the job offer, use similar phrases that are in the job offer. As I wrote before, every recruiter is busy. Once the employer gets the document in hand, he wants to find a suitable candidate. Will the job applicant go to the next stage of recruitment? This will be determined by the quality of the information provided in the CV that attracted the interest of the German employer.

The German labor market is faced with a labor shortage, it would seem that there is a shortage of people willing to work, nothing could be more wrong, people want to work, the only problem is inadequate competences of candidates for a given job. You are responding to a job offer, show the employer that you are not a random candidate, match your resume to the offer, write in a professional summary (in German: "Kurzprofil") about your strongest skills, use keywords like those used in the job offer.

German CV Format MS WORD - Docx Template Download

German CV Example (Format Microsoft Docx / Word / Free) download

German CV Template (Format Microsoft Word / Docx / Free) download

Write your CV – so that it fits the German standard!

We have prepared a few tips. How to write/create an effective CV. Ready examples. So we start.

TIP 1: Design

When building Your CV, it is important to design it in a way that appears attractive to the employer/recruiter – make your CV easy to read. I've already written about it 7-12 seconds this is time to analyze your CV. Remember that your CV is your business card which supposed to show off your experience, skills and education. Use the 11-12 font size, don't get crazy with a coloured text or italic fonts. Remember - a simple and readable document! Length of the German CV? There used to be one page CV, currently, it can be up to two or three pages, but only if you describe that many important tasks and skills.

Preparation of documents does not have to be difficult. Use the free examples of the German CV (document templates below).

TIP 2: Structure / Format

• Personal details (Persönliche Daten).
• Career Summary (Kurzprofil) - Optional .
• Work Experience (Berufserfahrung).
• Education (Ausbildung).
• Skills (Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten).
• Interests & hobbies (Interessen und hobbys).

TIP 3: Content

The recruiter is not interested in information that your first job took place in a plant nursery (unless you apply as a gardener) and nobody wants to know that you worked as a waiter at every weekend during your studies (unless you are applying for a job in gastronomy). Never add to a CV all the details of your work history. Just include information that might be useful for the profession and that shows skills, expertise which may add value to your potential employer.

TIP 4: Personal details (Persönliche Daten)

How to write a German CV? Tips - Personal details.

Add to your CV all necessary personal details that might help the recruiter to contact you and to understand who you are.

Your Photo in the CV. A professional photo in your CV should have good quality and business format. You do not have such a photo? Maybe you should use the services of a professional photographer. Optional - but this element can help us recruit . Don't make this mistake - don't include your holiday or party photos.

Name and Surname. First and last name add to the CV, use a bold and larger font size for this purpose.

Phone, Email address. Your sim card to the mobile phone was purchased in Germany? If not? Remember to add the country code (area code) before the phone number.

Address. Place of residence.

Age/Birth date. It is worth giving the date of birth to facilitate work for the recruiter. Optional - but it helps to get a full picture of the candidate .

Citizenship. This is important information to the employer whether the candidate needs a visa or work permit in Germany.

Marital Status and number of children. Optional - but it helps to get a full picture of the candidate .

TIP 5: Career Summary (Kurzprofil)

How to write an effective German CV? Tips - Career Summary.

This is a summary paragraph of two to four lines in size, which is listed at the beginning of the german CV before the presentation of the work experience.

Voluntary: Of course there is no obligation to add a Career Summary for the German CV. Experienced managers and qualified specialists can give an overview of their individual career strengths, goals and experiences with a short profile.

• Would you like to highlight your industry experience?
• Would you like to prove your action strength?
• Would you like to demonstrate your ability to innovate and your creativity?

TIP 6: Work Experience (Berufserfahrung)

How to write a professional German CV? Tips - Work Experience.

Include the work history in reverse chronological order. Add your most recent job first on the top of the section. Include the name of the company, the dates you worked for them (eg. 07/2016 - 05/2019) and also add the city (company location).

Add your position, examples: "Senior Java programmer" or ""Junior PHP programmer"" or "Graphic designer " or "Cook" etc.

Mention your responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for the job you are applying for. Use bullet points to show 4 to 8 of your most important tasks.

TIP 7: Education (Ausbildung)

How to write a perfect German CV? Tips - Education.

Same as before, add the education in reverse chronological order. Keep in mind to include names university, schools as well as the date you attended school. Attach information about acquired professional titles and diplomas.

TIP 8: Languages (Sprachen)

Include reality foreign language skills. To determine the level of knowledge languages use the scale of the Council of Europe. Examples: "English - C2", "Chinese - B1", "Spanish - B2".

TIP 9: Skills (Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten)

Did you have training that is relevant to the profession applied for? Mention it here.

Here you can determine computer skills and programs, example: "MS Excel (advanced level, knowledge of macros and pivot tables)". Next example: "Excellent knowledge of the Y tool allowed me to reduce costs by X".

TIP 10: The correct format of application documents.

After writing, save the CV and cover letter to PDF format. You will be sure that the employer will correctly read your application documents.

# Free Example 01 (editable in MS Word 2013)

# Free Template 02 (editable in MS Word 2013)

Germany is the largest and strongest economy in the European Union. The size of the economy translates into a large number of job opportunities. The large number of vacancies and good salaries cause many residents from different countries, not only those in the European Union, to emigrate to Germany for work. German companies are having great difficulty finding qualified workers. On economic websites, one can find out that the shortage of skilled labor oscillates between 500,000 and 600,000. This is the number of unfilled jobs. These are mainly professions in which high qualifications are required.

According to recent calculations, the shortage of skilled workers is having a negative impact on the entire German labor market. Large shortages are in the areas of health and care, social services, education, and everything related to construction technology. The shortages are huge, for example, just the area of health alone lacked suitably qualified people for more than half of the available vacancies.

Labor shortages are hitting the resource extraction sector hard, as well as manufacturing, information technology, and there are also shortages in agriculture, animal husbandry and horticulture and forestry. In recent months, the number of job openings for qualified people for positions related to energy technology as well as aviation has increased strongly. Germany is no exception here, similar pains are affecting other strong European economies including the UK.

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