German CV Format: The Lebenslauf.
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland your CV is called a Lebenslauf. It's structured, factual and often laid out like a table, with dates on the left and details on the right.
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The Lebenslauf at a Glance.
Traditionally it includes a professional photo and a personal details section. Since the 2006 General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) employers can't require a photo, but many applicants still include one, and it remains common. The Lebenslauf is usually part of a full application with a cover letter (Anschreiben) and references (Zeugnisse).
- Length
- One to two pages
- Photo
- Common, but optional. Use a professional headshot
- Personal details
- Often: date and place of birth, nationality. Marital status is increasingly left out
- Paper size
- A4
- Dates
- MM/YYYY, e.g. 03/2022 – heute
- Signature
- Place, date and signature at the end
Sections, in Order.
- 1
Persönliche Daten
Name, address, contact details, date and place of birth, nationality.
- 2
Berufserfahrung
Work experience, reverse-chronological, with clear dates.
- 3
Ausbildung & Studium
Degrees, vocational training (Ausbildung) and school.
- 4
Kenntnisse & Qualifikationen
Skills, IT knowledge and certifications.
- 5
Sprachkenntnisse
Languages with levels, ideally on the CEFR scale (A1–C2).
- 6
Ort, Datum, Unterschrift
Place, date and signature to close.
Do This, Not That.
Do
- Account for every period without gaps, month by month.
- Use a professional photo if you include one.
- Write in German if the job ad is in German.
- Sign and date the Lebenslauf.
Avoid
- Using a casual or cropped holiday photo.
- Leaving unexplained gaps in your timeline.
- Writing long narrative paragraphs instead of clear entries.
- Sending a US-style one-page resume without personal details.
Pick the Country. We Handle the Rest.
- Pick the Lebenslauf format and the layout adapts for you
- Photo, personal details and headings set the way employers expect
- Live ATS checks while you write
- A clean, text-based PDF ready to send
Lebenslauf
Questions.
Still unsure? Our team answers every message, usually within one business day.
Contact SupportDo I need a photo on a German CV?
It's not legally required, and employers can't demand one. In practice many applicants still include a professional headshot, and it remains the norm in many industries.
Should I sign my Lebenslauf?
Traditionally yes: add the place, date and your signature at the end. For online applications a scanned or digital signature is fine.
Should my German CV be in German?
If the job ad is in German, write your Lebenslauf in German. International companies that post in English usually accept an English CV.
Other resume formats
Also useful: our free ATS resume checker, the resume templates and the AI resume builder.
Write Your Lebenslauf Today.
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