How to Write a German CV (Lebenslauf): Format, Photo and Length

What a German Lebenslauf looks like

A Lebenslauf is a structured, tabular CV. Each entry sits on its own line with dates on the left (month and year, for example "03/2021 – 11/2024") and the role, employer and city on the right. It is ordered with the most recent position first, and recruiters read it as a timeline: every period of your working life should be accounted for.

Two pages is the normal length for someone with a few years of experience. One page is fine for graduates. Unlike a US resume, a German CV is not a sales document trimmed to the highlights; it is closer to a complete record, written in a factual, restrained tone.

Sections to include, in order

Personal details (Persönliche Daten): name, address or city, phone, email and, optionally, a LinkedIn or portfolio link. Date of birth and nationality used to be standard; today they are optional, and many applicants leave them out. If you need a work permit, saying clearly that you have one (or which visa you are eligible for, such as the EU Blue Card) helps more than your nationality does.

Work experience (Berufserfahrung): job title, company, city, dates, then three to five bullet points of responsibilities and results. Education (Ausbildung): degree, university, dates and, if strong, your final grade. Skills (Kenntnisse): languages with a level (use the CEFR scale, for example "German B2, English C1"), software and technical skills. Optional: certifications, volunteering and interests if they say something relevant about you.

Photo, signature and date: still expected?

Since Germany's anti-discrimination law (AGG) took effect in 2006, employers may not require a photo, and international companies and startups increasingly prefer CVs without one. In traditional companies and the public sector, a professional photo is still common. If you include one, use a recent, professional headshot, not a holiday picture.

A handwritten signature and the date at the bottom of the CV were once standard. They are now optional and mostly found in applications to conservative employers. Leaving them out will not count against you at an international company.

Gaps, language and the cover letter

Because a Lebenslauf reads as a timeline, an unexplained gap of several months draws questions. Name it briefly instead: "Parental leave", "Career break: language course in Berlin" or "Job search after relocation" is enough.

Write the CV in the language of the job ad. An English ad at a tech company means an English CV is fine; a German ad means a German CV, even if your German is not perfect yet. Most applications also include a one-page cover letter (Anschreiben), though many tech companies now make it optional. When it is requested, tailor it to the role rather than repeating your CV.

Common mistakes international applicants make

Sending a one-page US-style resume with no dates for education, listing skills without levels, leaving out the city for each job, and using a heavily designed template with columns and icons that applicant tracking systems cannot read. A clean single-column layout with clear section headings works for both German recruiters and ATS software.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a photo on my CV for jobs in Germany?

No. Employers cannot legally require one. A professional photo is still common in traditional companies, but international companies and startups often prefer CVs without photos.

How long should a German CV be?

One page for graduates, two pages for most experienced candidates. Longer is acceptable only for senior or academic roles.

Should my CV for Germany be in German or English?

Use the language of the job advert. English is widely accepted in tech and at international companies; for German-language ads, apply in German.

How do I explain gaps in a German CV?

Add a short line for the period, such as parental leave, further education, relocation or job search. A named gap is far better than an unexplained one.