Quick facts: CVs in Germany
| Document name | ⓘ | Called a Lebenslauf, usually a clear tabular layout with dates |
|---|---|---|
| Usual length | ⓘ | Usually 1-2 pages; two is normal for experienced candidates |
| Photo | ◐ | Common and familiar, but not legally required |
| Date of birth | ◐ | Traditional, but many applicants now leave it out |
| Nationality | ◐ | Useful for non-EU applicants to clarify work authorization |
| Marital status | ◐ | Seen in older formats; not required |
| ATS | ◐ | Large firms use portals and ATS; smaller firms often read manually |
| Language | ◐ | Usually German, unless the job ad itself is in English |
| Paper size | ⓘ | A4 |
| Date & signature | ◐ | Traditionally a place, date and signature close the Lebenslauf; today it is optional |
| Work permit | ◐ | If you are from outside the EU, a short line on your permit status helps employers |
| Europass | ◐ | Recognized, but German employers often prefer a cleaner standard Lebenslauf |
These are common practices; they vary by employer and industry. If a job ad asks for something specific, follow the ad.
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Jordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Photo ⭐
Use this templateJordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Executive
Use this templateJordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Timeline
Use this templateJordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Modern
Use this templateWhat to include
Name, city or address, phone and email. Date of birth and nationality are optional, though nationality helps if your work authorization needs clarifying.
A professional photo is still common in Germany, but it is not required. If you add one, keep it formal with a calm background.
Newest first, with month and year for every role. Focus on concrete results rather than lists of duties.
Degree, institution and dates. If your degree is from abroad, you can mention whether it has been formally recognized.
Give levels on the CEFR scale, such as B2 or C1. Your German level is often one of the first things a recruiter checks.
Tools you genuinely use, with an honest level. Keep them relevant to the role.
Traditionally the Lebenslauf ends with city, date and signature. Many applicants now skip it; either choice is acceptable.
What to leave off
- Unexplained gaps — German recruiters read dates closely; add a short line explaining any break.
- Busy, colourful designs — A clean, formal layout signals reliability.
- Overstating your German — Language levels are usually tested quickly in the interview.
- Casual or selfie photos — Use a professional photo or none at all.
- Going past two pages without reason — Concise and clear beats long.
ATS and CVs in Germany
Larger German companies usually receive applications through their own career portal or via job boards such as StepStone, and many use applicant tracking systems that filter CVs before a recruiter sees them. Small and mid-sized firms (the Mittelstand) may still read applications by hand, but a clear, well-structured CV works in both cases. A traditional photo layout is fine as long as the text itself remains easy to parse.
- Use a single-column template; complex tables can confuse automated parsing.
- Keep standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills).
- Mirror the key terms from the job ad, but only for skills you genuinely have.
- Write dates consistently, for example 03/2022 – 09/2025.
- Send a PDF unless the portal asks for another format.
- Test your file with the CV checker and compare it to the ad with the job matcher.
CV example
Jordan Miller
Software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web services and APIs in Python and TypeScript. Led the migration of a monolith to microservices and cut infrastructure costs by 28%. Comfortable owning features end to end, from design docs to on-call.
- Led the migration of a Django monolith to 9 containerized services, reducing AWS costs by 28%
- Built a real-time appointment API handling 3M requests per day with 99.95% uptime
- Cut p95 page load time from 3.1s to 1.2s by redesigning caching and database queries
- Mentored 3 junior engineers and introduced a code review checklist adopted team-wide
- Shipped 20+ customer-facing features in React and Node.js for an e-commerce platform
- Automated deployments with GitHub Actions, reducing release time from 2 hours to 15 minutes
- Raised unit test coverage from 45% to 82%
Python • TypeScript • React • Node.js • PostgreSQL • AWS (Lambda • ECS • S3) • Docker • Kubernetes • CI/CD • System design • REST & GraphQL APIs
Examples by job
Applying for jobs in Germany
Popular places to look for work in Germany include StepStone, LinkedIn, Indeed, XING (widely used in German-speaking markets) and the job portal of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Many companies also prefer applications through their own career pages.
- Employer references (Arbeitszeugnis): German employers usually issue a written reference when someone leaves, and some recruiters ask to see them. If you have experience letters from previous jobs, keep copies ready.
- Notice periods: these are typically set in the employment contract and vary, so state in your letter when you could start.
- Recognition of qualifications: some professions, for example in healthcare or certain engineering roles, may require formal recognition of a foreign degree.
- Work permits: there are several routes for skilled workers from outside the EU, and the rules change over time. Always check official sources such as the Make it in Germany portal or the German embassy.
Start in the CV builder, pick a photo template if you like, and see our Switzerland guide if you are also applying in other German-speaking markets.
CV language
For most roles in Germany, employers usually expect a Lebenslauf in German, especially at smaller companies, in the public sector and in customer-facing jobs. When the job ad is written in English, which is common in tech, research, international firms and startups in cities like Berlin and Munich, an English CV is normally perfectly acceptable.
To be clear: our builder outputs CVs in English or French only; it cannot write German. It is a good fit for English-language job ads. If you need a German version, have a fluent speaker or professional translator review it.
CV or resume?
In Germany the document is called a Lebenslauf, and "CV" is widely understood. Compared with a US resume it is more formal: a tabular timeline, sometimes a photo, personal details and a signature. A full application pack (Bewerbungsunterlagen) may include the Lebenslauf, a cover letter, degree certificates and employer references. Browse our CV examples for a starting point.
Every period should have a clear start and end date.
Cover letters in Germany
The cover letter (Anschreiben) used to be essential; today some employers, particularly in tech, no longer ask for one. When the ad requests it, keep it to one page with a formal, direct tone: why this company, what you bring, and when you can start. Avoid repeating your CV line by line. You can draft one with the cover letter generator and then edit it yourself.
FAQ
Do I need a photo on a German CV?
No, it is not required. Photos are still common and familiar in Germany, but many international employers do not expect one. If you include it, make it professional.
Should I include my date of birth and marital status?
Both are optional. They were part of the traditional format, and many applicants now leave them out.
Can I apply with an English CV in Germany?
Yes, if the job ad is in English or the company works internationally. Otherwise German is usually expected.
Can the builder create a German CV?
No. It outputs English or French only. For German-language roles, have your CV translated and checked by a fluent speaker.
Do I have to sign my Lebenslauf?
No. Ending with place, date and signature is a tradition, not a rule; both options are fine.
How long should a German CV be?
Usually one to two pages. One page is enough for graduates; two is normal with longer experience.
Should I use Europass?
You can, but it is optional. Many German employers prefer a clean, standard Lebenslauf over the Europass layout.
Is the builder free?
Yes, it is free with no sign-up, and it exports PDF and Word in A4.
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