Create a German CV (Lebenslauf) in a clear tabular format.

In brief

• Use a tabular Lebenslauf. Germany’s Federal Employment Agency recommends one to two A4 pages, clear time periods, and the most recent experience first within each section.
• Use the job ad’s language. Apply in German when the employer requests German; use English when that is the working language or the vacancy asks for it.
• Photo is optional, though still common. Official guidance says a Bewerbungsfoto is not mandatory, even though many German employers still expect one. Family details, nationality, and religion are voluntary.

Build a tabellarischer Lebenslauf

Use clear sections such as Persönliche Daten, Berufserfahrung, Ausbildung or Studium, Kenntnisse, and optional relevant activities. Start each section with the newest item. For every role, pair month and year with employer, position, location, and three to five concise tasks or results.

• Keep month-and-year date formats consistent.
• Use aligned date and detail columns without turning the CV into a dense table.
• Keep the complete German CV to one or two A4 pages when possible.

Translate the German resume, not your identity

When applying in German, translate job titles and achievements in a way a local hiring team can understand. Keep the original degree, certificate, employer, and product name recognizable, then add a practical German or English explanation where needed.

• Use German vacancy terminology where it is truthful.
• Keep official degree and certificate names recognizable, with an explanation when useful.
• Ask a fluent reviewer to check formal language, grammar, and technical terms.

Decide on photo, personal data, and Anlagen

A professional photo may still be familiar in Germany, but it is optional. Contact details are essential; other personal details should be included deliberately. When the application asks for Zeugnisse, references, or work samples, keep them as clearly named attachments or one organised application PDF rather than crowding the Lebenslauf.

• Read the employer’s application instructions before attaching documents.
• Choose a photo only when it suits the context and your preference.
• Check the final PDF for selectable text, dates, links, and a logical reading order.

Translation note

A translated resume still needs a local review

Translation creates a good working copy, not a final guarantee. Review job titles, certifications, software terms, and formal phrasing against the vacancy. The best result reads naturally to a German-speaking recruiter while keeping your original facts intact.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Sending an English resume to a vacancy that explicitly requires German.
2. Using a decorative layout that makes dates, job titles, or qualifications difficult to scan.
3. Treating a photo or personal detail as mandatory when it is optional.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and further reading

Sources reviewed 2026-07-22. Guidance and services may change after this date.

• Germany Federal Employment Agency: Lebenslauf guidance
• Make it in Germany: job applications

Put it into practice

Use the advice with your own document and the role you’re applying for.

• Translate to German
• Build a resume