[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1164},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-en-german-cv":3},{"slug":4,"locale":5,"updatedAt":6,"title":7,"description":8,"keywords":9,"faq":17,"body":36,"toc":925,"templates":953,"related":1102},"german-cv","en","2026-10-17","German CV Format: How to Write a Lebenslauf (2026)","How to write a German CV for jobs in Germany: the tabular Lebenslauf, photo, personal details, grades, language levels, degree recognition and the full application.",[10,11,12,13,14,15,16],"German CV format","Lebenslauf in English","how to write a German CV","CV for jobs in Germany","German resume template","Bewerbung documents","anabin degree recognition",[18,21,24,27,30,33],{"q":19,"a":20},"Do I need a photo on a German CV?","No, you are not obliged to include one. The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) of 2006 does not mention photos directly, but it bans discrimination based on age, sex, ethnic origin and other characteristics, and the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency advises employers not to ask for a photo. Many applicants in Germany still add a professional photo, especially for traditional employers. International companies and many tech firms prefer none. If a job ad says no photo, leave it off.",{"q":22,"a":23},"Should my CV for Germany be in German or English?","Write it in the language of the job ad. If the ad is in German, send a German CV, even if the team works partly in English. Many tech and research roles advertise in English and accept an English CV.",{"q":25,"a":26},"How long should a German CV be?","One to two pages. Graduates usually fit on one page. Two pages are normal with several jobs. Only academic CVs with publications go longer.",{"q":28,"a":29},"How do I show that my foreign degree is valid in Germany?","Check your university and degree in the anabin database. If your university is rated H+ and your degree is listed as equivalent, you can say so on your CV. If not, you can apply for a statement of comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) from the ZAB. Regulated professions such as nursing, medicine and teaching need formal recognition.",{"q":31,"a":32},"Do I have to sign my German CV?","No. A signature with place and date was standard for a long time, but most online applications now leave it out. Public sector employers, trades and apprenticeship applications still often expect it.",{"q":34,"a":35},"Can I make a German CV for free without an account?","Yes. resumeforfree.com builds a CV in German or English with an optional photo and exports a PDF. You do not need to sign up, and your data stays in your browser unless you turn on cloud sync.",{"type":37,"children":38},"root",[39,47,61,68,260,266,271,276,282,287,292,379,384,391,396,421,426,432,437,465,470,476,481,494,523,529,534,540,545,550,555,561,566,572,577,664,669,675,680,708,713,719,724,730,743,749,754,797,803,808,814,819,825,830,836,859,865,870,876,904],{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":42,"children":43},"element","p",{},[44],{"type":45,"value":46},"text","A CV for a job in Germany is called a Lebenslauf, and it looks different from a US resume or a UK CV. It is tabular, often has a photo, lists dates with month and year, and is usually sent together with a cover letter and copies of your certificates and references. This guide explains what German employers expect in 2026, what has become optional, and what people moving to Germany from abroad should add, such as degree recognition, work permit status and German language level. Austria and Switzerland follow mostly the same rules, and the differences are noted where they matter.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":48,"children":49},{},[50,52,59],{"type":45,"value":51},"You can build a Lebenslauf in our ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":54,"children":56},"a",{"href":55},"\u002Fbuilder",[57],{"type":45,"value":58},"free CV builder",{"type":45,"value":60}," without an account. It supports a photo, lets you set the CV language to German so all section headings are in German, and exports a PDF.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":63,"children":65},"h2",{"id":64},"german-cv-at-a-glance",[66],{"type":45,"value":67},"German CV at a glance",{"type":40,"tag":69,"props":70,"children":71},"table",{},[72,96],{"type":40,"tag":73,"props":74,"children":75},"thead",{},[76],{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":78,"children":79},"tr",{},[80,86,91],{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":82,"children":83},"th",{},[84],{"type":45,"value":85},"Section",{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":87,"children":88},{},[89],{"type":45,"value":90},"What goes in",{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":92,"children":93},{},[94],{"type":45,"value":95},"Required?",{"type":40,"tag":97,"props":98,"children":99},"tbody",{},[100,119,137,155,172,189,207,224,242],{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":101,"children":102},{},[103,109,114],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":105,"children":106},"td",{},[107],{"type":45,"value":108},"Personal details (Persönliche Daten)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":110,"children":111},{},[112],{"type":45,"value":113},"Name, city or address, phone, email",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":115,"children":116},{},[117],{"type":45,"value":118},"Yes",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":120,"children":121},{},[122,127,132],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":123,"children":124},{},[125],{"type":45,"value":126},"Photo (Bewerbungsfoto)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":128,"children":129},{},[130],{"type":45,"value":131},"Professional headshot",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":133,"children":134},{},[135],{"type":45,"value":136},"No, optional",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":138,"children":139},{},[140,145,150],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":141,"children":142},{},[143],{"type":45,"value":144},"Profile (Kurzprofil)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":146,"children":147},{},[148],{"type":45,"value":149},"Two or three sentences about you",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":151,"children":152},{},[153],{"type":45,"value":154},"Optional, but useful",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":156,"children":157},{},[158,163,168],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":159,"children":160},{},[161],{"type":45,"value":162},"Work experience (Berufserfahrung)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":164,"children":165},{},[166],{"type":45,"value":167},"Jobs, newest first, with month and year",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":169,"children":170},{},[171],{"type":45,"value":118},{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":173,"children":174},{},[175,180,185],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":176,"children":177},{},[178],{"type":45,"value":179},"Education (Ausbildung, Studium)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":181,"children":182},{},[183],{"type":45,"value":184},"Degrees, vocational training, grades for graduates",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":186,"children":187},{},[188],{"type":45,"value":118},{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":190,"children":191},{},[192,197,202],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":193,"children":194},{},[195],{"type":45,"value":196},"Further training (Weiterbildung)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":198,"children":199},{},[200],{"type":45,"value":201},"Courses, certificates, licences",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":203,"children":204},{},[205],{"type":45,"value":206},"If you have them",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":208,"children":209},{},[210,215,220],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":211,"children":212},{},[213],{"type":45,"value":214},"Skills (Kenntnisse)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":216,"children":217},{},[218],{"type":45,"value":219},"Technical skills, software, languages with CEFR level",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":221,"children":222},{},[223],{"type":45,"value":118},{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":225,"children":226},{},[227,232,237],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":228,"children":229},{},[230],{"type":45,"value":231},"Interests (Interessen)",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":233,"children":234},{},[235],{"type":45,"value":236},"One or two specific hobbies",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":238,"children":239},{},[240],{"type":45,"value":241},"Optional",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":243,"children":244},{},[245,250,255],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":246,"children":247},{},[248],{"type":45,"value":249},"Place, date, signature",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":251,"children":252},{},[253],{"type":45,"value":254},"At the end",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":256,"children":257},{},[258],{"type":45,"value":259},"Optional, depends on sector",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":261,"children":263},{"id":262},"the-tabular-lebenslauf",[264],{"type":45,"value":265},"The tabular Lebenslauf",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":267,"children":268},{},[269],{"type":45,"value":270},"The standard German CV is tabular: the time period on the left, the role or school on the right, and a few bullet points underneath for each job. It runs in reverse chronological order, so your current or latest job comes first. The old style of starting with primary school is gone. List only your highest school leaving certificate, and only in one line once you have a degree or work experience.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":272,"children":273},{},[274],{"type":45,"value":275},"Use month and year for every date, for example \"03\u002F2021 to present\" or \"since 03\u002F2021\". Writing only years makes recruiters wonder what you are hiding, because \"2022 to 2023\" can mean two months or two years. German recruiters check dates closely, and gaps of a few months will be noticed.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":277,"children":279},{"id":278},"personal-details-what-is-required-and-what-is-optional",[280],{"type":45,"value":281},"Personal details: what is required and what is optional",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":283,"children":284},{},[285],{"type":45,"value":286},"Only contact details are required: full name, phone number with country code, email address and at least your city. If you already live in Germany, a full address is fine. If you are applying from abroad, write your current city and country, and add that you are willing to relocate.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":288,"children":289},{},[290],{"type":45,"value":291},"Everything else is optional. Germany's General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) protects applicants against discrimination based on ethnic origin, sex, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual identity. As a result, many employers no longer ask for date of birth, marital status, religion or a photo, and you do not have to give them.",{"type":40,"tag":69,"props":293,"children":294},{},[295,311],{"type":40,"tag":73,"props":296,"children":297},{},[298],{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":299,"children":300},{},[301,306],{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304],{"type":45,"value":305},"Detail",{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":307,"children":308},{},[309],{"type":45,"value":310},"Current practice",{"type":40,"tag":97,"props":312,"children":313},{},[314,327,340,353,366],{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":315,"children":316},{},[317,322],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":318,"children":319},{},[320],{"type":45,"value":321},"Date and place of birth",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":323,"children":324},{},[325],{"type":45,"value":326},"Optional. Many people leave it out, but you will still see it on many German CVs.",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":328,"children":329},{},[330,335],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":331,"children":332},{},[333],{"type":45,"value":334},"Marital status and children",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":336,"children":337},{},[338],{"type":45,"value":339},"Optional and less common now. Leave it out unless you want to include it.",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":341,"children":342},{},[343,348],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":344,"children":345},{},[346],{"type":45,"value":347},"Nationality",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":349,"children":350},{},[351],{"type":45,"value":352},"Optional. For applicants from outside the EU, your work permit status matters more than nationality.",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":354,"children":355},{},[356,361],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":357,"children":358},{},[359],{"type":45,"value":360},"Work permit or visa",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":362,"children":363},{},[364],{"type":45,"value":365},"Strongly recommended if you are not an EU citizen. See below.",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":367,"children":368},{},[369,374],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":370,"children":371},{},[372],{"type":45,"value":373},"Religion",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":375,"children":376},{},[377],{"type":45,"value":378},"Only for church employers, such as Caritas or Diakonie.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":380,"children":381},{},[382],{"type":45,"value":383},"To be honest about current practice: the AGG did not make these details disappear. Plenty of German CVs still include a date of birth and a photo, and nobody is rejected for that. Look at the company. A mid-sized engineering firm in Bavaria will expect a classic Lebenslauf, while an international start-up in Berlin is more likely to prefer a lean one without personal details.",{"type":40,"tag":385,"props":386,"children":388},"h3",{"id":387},"work-permit-status-for-non-eu-applicants",[389],{"type":45,"value":390},"Work permit status for non-EU applicants",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":392,"children":393},{},[394],{"type":45,"value":395},"If you need a visa, recruiters want to know early whether hiring you is realistic. Add one line under your personal details:",{"type":40,"tag":397,"props":398,"children":399},"ul",{},[400,406,411,416],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":402,"children":403},"li",{},[404],{"type":45,"value":405},"\"Work permit: EU Blue Card, valid until 08\u002F2028\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":407,"children":408},{},[409],{"type":45,"value":410},"\"Residence permit with unrestricted work authorisation\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":412,"children":413},{},[414],{"type":45,"value":415},"\"Eligible for the EU Blue Card, degree listed as equivalent in anabin\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":417,"children":418},{},[419],{"type":45,"value":420},"\"Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), available from 01\u002F2027\"",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":422,"children":423},{},[424],{"type":45,"value":425},"Do not overstate your status. If you still need a visa, say that your degree is recognised and when you could start, and let the employer ask.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":427,"children":429},{"id":428},"the-photo",[430],{"type":45,"value":431},"The photo",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":433,"children":434},{},[435],{"type":45,"value":436},"A photo is optional but still widespread in Germany, and even more common in Austria and Switzerland. If you add one, make it professional. A holiday photo or a selfie does more harm than no photo.",{"type":40,"tag":397,"props":438,"children":439},{},[440,445,450,455,460],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":441,"children":442},{},[443],{"type":45,"value":444},"Head and shoulders, looking at the camera, with a friendly expression.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":446,"children":447},{},[448],{"type":45,"value":449},"Plain, calm background.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":451,"children":452},{},[453],{"type":45,"value":454},"Clothes you would wear to an interview in that field.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":456,"children":457},{},[458],{"type":45,"value":459},"Recent, so it still looks like you.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":461,"children":462},{},[463],{"type":45,"value":464},"Placed at the top right next to your personal details, or in the header.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":466,"children":467},{},[468],{"type":45,"value":469},"Leave the photo off for international corporations, for companies that use anonymous applications, and whenever the job ad asks you to.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":471,"children":473},{"id":472},"work-experience",[474],{"type":45,"value":475},"Work experience",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":477,"children":478},{},[479],{"type":45,"value":480},"For each job, give the period, job title, company and city. If the company is unknown in Germany, add a short line about what it does and how big it is, for example \"Logistics software for regional carriers, 200 employees\". Below that, write two to five bullet points that start with a verb and show a result.",{"type":40,"tag":397,"props":482,"children":483},{},[484,489],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":485,"children":486},{},[487],{"type":45,"value":488},"Weak: \"Responsible for the warehouse.\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":490,"children":491},{},[492],{"type":45,"value":493},"Better: \"Moved warehouse management to a new ERP system and cut stocktaking from three days to one.\"",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":495,"children":496},{},[497,499,505,507,513,515,521],{"type":45,"value":498},"If your job title has no clear German equivalent, use a common English or German title that describes the work. For examples by profession, see our templates for ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":500,"children":502},{"href":501},"\u002Ftemplates\u002Fmechanical-engineer",[503],{"type":45,"value":504},"mechanical engineers",{"type":45,"value":506},", ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":508,"children":510},{"href":509},"\u002Ftemplates\u002Fsoftware-engineer",[511],{"type":45,"value":512},"software engineers",{"type":45,"value":514}," and ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":516,"children":518},{"href":517},"\u002Ftemplates\u002Fregistered-nurse",[519],{"type":45,"value":520},"registered nurses",{"type":45,"value":522},".",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":524,"children":526},{"id":525},"education-and-foreign-degrees",[527],{"type":45,"value":528},"Education and foreign degrees",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":530,"children":531},{},[532],{"type":45,"value":533},"Germany has two respected paths: vocational training (Ausbildung), which combines a company and a vocational school, and university study (Studium). Both belong on the CV with the same weight. For a degree, list the degree and subject, the university, the city and country, and the dates. Graduates add their thesis topic and grade.",{"type":40,"tag":385,"props":535,"children":537},{"id":536},"recognition-of-foreign-degrees-and-anabin",[538],{"type":45,"value":539},"Recognition of foreign degrees and anabin",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":541,"children":542},{},[543],{"type":45,"value":544},"German employers often do not know foreign universities. The anabin database, run by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), shows how foreign institutions and degrees compare to German ones. An institution rated H+ is recognised as a university, but that alone does not cover your degree. If your degree is also listed as equivalent to a German degree, you can add \"anabin: institution H+, degree equivalent\" next to it.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":546,"children":547},{},[548],{"type":45,"value":549},"If your university or degree is not listed, you can apply to the ZAB for a statement of comparability (Zeugnisbewertung). It costs a fee and can take up to about three months once your documents are complete, but it helps with both employers and visa applications. For the EU Blue Card, most applicants need a recognised or comparable degree and a job offer above a minimum salary that is set each year. IT specialists can also qualify through work experience.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":551,"children":552},{},[553],{"type":45,"value":554},"Regulated professions are different. Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, teachers and some engineering titles need formal recognition (Anerkennung) from a German authority before you can work under that title. Nursing recognition usually also requires German at B2 level. If your recognition is in progress, say so: \"Recognition as Pflegefachfrau in progress, expected 03\u002F2027\".",{"type":40,"tag":385,"props":556,"children":558},{"id":557},"grades",[559],{"type":45,"value":560},"Grades",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":562,"children":563},{},[564],{"type":45,"value":565},"German grades run from 1.0 (very good) to 4.0 (sufficient), and anything worse is a fail. Germans write decimals with a comma, so a German CV says \"1,7\", not \"1.7\". Recruiters cannot easily read foreign grade scales, so add the scale: \"GPA 3.6 of 4.0\" or \"82 % (pass mark 50 %)\". Do not convert grades yourself unless you have an official conversion. In Austria the scale is 1 to 5 with 4 as the lowest pass, and in Switzerland 6 is the best grade and 4 is a pass.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":567,"children":569},{"id":568},"language-levels",[570],{"type":45,"value":571},"Language levels",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":573,"children":574},{},[575],{"type":45,"value":576},"Use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR, in German GER) for every language. \"Fluent\" means different things to different people, while \"German B2\" is clear.",{"type":40,"tag":69,"props":578,"children":579},{},[580,596],{"type":40,"tag":73,"props":581,"children":582},{},[583],{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":584,"children":585},{},[586,591],{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":587,"children":588},{},[589],{"type":45,"value":590},"Level",{"type":40,"tag":81,"props":592,"children":593},{},[594],{"type":45,"value":595},"Meaning",{"type":40,"tag":97,"props":597,"children":598},{},[599,612,625,638,651],{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":600,"children":601},{},[602,607],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":603,"children":604},{},[605],{"type":45,"value":606},"A1, A2",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":608,"children":609},{},[610],{"type":45,"value":611},"Basic",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":613,"children":614},{},[615,620],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":616,"children":617},{},[618],{"type":45,"value":619},"B1",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":621,"children":622},{},[623],{"type":45,"value":624},"Independent in everyday situations",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":626,"children":627},{},[628,633],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":629,"children":630},{},[631],{"type":45,"value":632},"B2",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":634,"children":635},{},[636],{"type":45,"value":637},"Independent at work, including technical discussions in your field",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":639,"children":640},{},[641,646],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":642,"children":643},{},[644],{"type":45,"value":645},"C1",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":647,"children":648},{},[649],{"type":45,"value":650},"Fluent, including complex professional discussions",{"type":40,"tag":77,"props":652,"children":653},{},[654,659],{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":655,"children":656},{},[657],{"type":45,"value":658},"C2",{"type":40,"tag":104,"props":660,"children":661},{},[662],{"type":45,"value":663},"Very high level, understands virtually everything with ease",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":665,"children":666},{},[667],{"type":45,"value":668},"Name the certificate if you have one: \"German B2 (Goethe-Zertifikat)\", \"German C1 (telc)\" or \"German, TestDaF level 4\". If you are still learning, be precise: \"German B1, B2 course in progress, exam 02\u002F2027\". Many jobs in Germany need at least B2 German for daily work, even in companies where meetings are in English. Leave out bars, stars and percentages, because nobody knows what \"80 % German\" means and applicant tracking systems cannot read graphics.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":670,"children":672},{"id":671},"gaps-in-your-cv",[673],{"type":45,"value":674},"Gaps in your CV",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":676,"children":677},{},[678],{"type":45,"value":679},"German recruiters notice gaps. A few weeks between jobs needs no explanation, but from about three months, add a short, honest line. Moving countries is a perfectly good reason:",{"type":40,"tag":397,"props":681,"children":682},{},[683,688,693,698,703],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":684,"children":685},{},[686],{"type":45,"value":687},"\"Relocation to Germany, intensive German course (B1 to B2)\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":689,"children":690},{},[691],{"type":45,"value":692},"\"Parental leave\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":694,"children":695},{},[696],{"type":45,"value":697},"\"Caring for a family member\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":699,"children":700},{},[701],{"type":45,"value":702},"\"Waiting for visa and degree recognition\"",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":704,"children":705},{},[706],{"type":45,"value":707},"\"Career break, online course in data analysis\"",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":709,"children":710},{},[711],{"type":45,"value":712},"Keep it to one line. You do not need to give medical details.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":714,"children":716},{"id":715},"place-date-and-signature",[717],{"type":45,"value":718},"Place, date and signature",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":720,"children":721},{},[722],{"type":45,"value":723},"German CVs used to end with the city, the date and a handwritten signature. Today this is optional. Most online applications, tech companies and international firms skip it. Public sector employers, trades, smaller companies and apprenticeship applications still often expect it. If you sign, use a scan of your real signature and make sure the date matches your cover letter.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":725,"children":727},{"id":726},"length-and-layout",[728],{"type":45,"value":729},"Length and layout",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":731,"children":732},{},[733,735,741],{"type":45,"value":734},"One page for graduates and early career, two pages with more experience. Use one readable font at 10 to 12 points, clear headings and enough white space. Many German companies use applicant tracking systems that read text from your PDF, so a single-column layout without text boxes is the safest choice. Our guide to ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":736,"children":738},{"href":737},"\u002Fguides\u002Fats-friendly-resume",[739],{"type":45,"value":740},"ATS-friendly resumes",{"type":45,"value":742}," explains why.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":744,"children":746},{"id":745},"the-full-application-bewerbungsmappe",[747],{"type":45,"value":748},"The full application (Bewerbungsmappe)",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":750,"children":751},{},[752],{"type":45,"value":753},"In Germany, the CV is usually part of a package:",{"type":40,"tag":755,"props":756,"children":757},"ol",{},[758,769,779,787],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":759,"children":760},{},[761,767],{"type":40,"tag":762,"props":763,"children":764},"strong",{},[765],{"type":45,"value":766},"Cover letter (Anschreiben):",{"type":45,"value":768}," one page, written for this job. Some companies, especially in tech, have dropped it. Read the job ad.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":770,"children":771},{},[772,777],{"type":40,"tag":762,"props":773,"children":774},{},[775],{"type":45,"value":776},"Cover page (Deckblatt):",{"type":45,"value":778}," optional, with photo, name and the position. Rare in online applications.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":780,"children":781},{},[782],{"type":40,"tag":762,"props":783,"children":784},{},[785],{"type":45,"value":786},"CV (Lebenslauf)",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":788,"children":789},{},[790,795],{"type":40,"tag":762,"props":791,"children":792},{},[793],{"type":45,"value":794},"Attachments (Anlagen):",{"type":45,"value":796}," employment references, newest first, degree certificates and relevant certificates.",{"type":40,"tag":385,"props":798,"children":800},{"id":799},"employment-references-arbeitszeugnisse",[801],{"type":45,"value":802},"Employment references (Arbeitszeugnisse)",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":804,"children":805},{},[806],{"type":45,"value":807},"In Germany, employees have a legal right to a written reference when they leave (Section 109 of the Trade Regulation Act). A simple reference states the type and length of the job, and on request the employer must issue a qualified one that also rates performance and conduct. These references use coded language, where \"always to our fullest satisfaction\" means very good. Recruiters read them closely. If you worked abroad, attach reference letters from previous employers if you have them. Your home country probably has no such tradition, and German recruiters know that.",{"type":40,"tag":385,"props":809,"children":811},{"id":810},"translations",[812],{"type":45,"value":813},"Translations",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":815,"children":816},{},[817],{"type":45,"value":818},"For a job application, English copies of certificates are often accepted. For formal recognition and visa procedures, authorities usually require translations by a sworn translator. Check the requirements before you pay for translations.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":820,"children":822},{"id":821},"europass-or-a-normal-cv",[823],{"type":45,"value":824},"Europass or a normal CV?",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":826,"children":827},{},[828],{"type":45,"value":829},"The Europass CV is a standard EU format. It is useful for EU-funded projects, research positions and job ads that ask for it. For most private sector jobs in Germany, a normal tabular CV works better. Europass CVs tend to get long and look like a form, which makes it hard to put your strengths first. Its language self-assessment grid is still a good way to check your CEFR level honestly.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":831,"children":833},{"id":832},"file-format-for-online-applications",[834],{"type":45,"value":835},"File format for online applications",{"type":40,"tag":397,"props":837,"children":838},{},[839,844,849,854],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":840,"children":841},{},[842],{"type":45,"value":843},"Send a PDF. Use Word only if the employer asks for it.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":845,"children":846},{},[847],{"type":45,"value":848},"Many companies want one PDF in the order cover letter, CV, attachments. Applicant portals often have a separate upload for each document.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":850,"children":851},{},[852],{"type":45,"value":853},"Portals often limit uploads to a few megabytes, so scan certificates at a normal resolution.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":855,"children":856},{},[857],{"type":45,"value":858},"Use a clear file name, such as \"Lebenslauf-Priya-Sharma.pdf\".",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":860,"children":862},{"id":861},"austria-and-switzerland",[863],{"type":45,"value":864},"Austria and Switzerland",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":866,"children":867},{},[868],{"type":45,"value":869},"The structure is the same in all three countries. In Austria and Switzerland a photo and date of birth are more common. In Switzerland, foreigners usually state their nationality and permit type (such as B or C), and many CVs end with two or three references with name, position and phone number. Ask your referees first.",{"type":40,"tag":62,"props":871,"children":873},{"id":872},"getting-started",[874],{"type":45,"value":875},"Getting started",{"type":40,"tag":755,"props":877,"children":878},{},[879,884,889,894,899],{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":880,"children":881},{},[882],{"type":45,"value":883},"Open the builder and set the CV language to German.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":885,"children":886},{},[887],{"type":45,"value":888},"Upload a photo or leave it out.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":890,"children":891},{},[892],{"type":45,"value":893},"Add work experience and education in reverse chronological order, with month and year.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":895,"children":896},{},[897],{"type":45,"value":898},"Add your languages with CEFR levels and your work permit status.",{"type":40,"tag":401,"props":900,"children":901},{},[902],{"type":45,"value":903},"Check the preview, trim it to one or two pages and download the PDF.",{"type":40,"tag":41,"props":905,"children":906},{},[907,909,915,917,923],{"type":45,"value":908},"If you are a student or recent graduate, the ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":910,"children":912},{"href":911},"\u002Ftemplates\u002Fstudent",[913],{"type":45,"value":914},"student template",{"type":45,"value":916}," puts education and projects first. If you are also applying in the Gulf, read our ",{"type":40,"tag":53,"props":918,"children":920},{"href":919},"\u002Fguides\u002Fmiddle-east-cv",[921],{"type":45,"value":922},"Middle East CV guide",{"type":45,"value":924},", because expectations there are different again.",{"title":926,"searchDepth":927,"depth":927,"links":928},"",2,[929,930,931,935,936,937,941,942,943,944,945,949,950,951,952],{"id":64,"depth":927,"text":67},{"id":262,"depth":927,"text":265},{"id":278,"depth":927,"text":281,"children":932},[933],{"id":387,"depth":934,"text":390},3,{"id":428,"depth":927,"text":431},{"id":472,"depth":927,"text":475},{"id":525,"depth":927,"text":528,"children":938},[939,940],{"id":536,"depth":934,"text":539},{"id":557,"depth":934,"text":560},{"id":568,"depth":927,"text":571},{"id":671,"depth":927,"text":674},{"id":715,"depth":927,"text":718},{"id":726,"depth":927,"text":729},{"id":745,"depth":927,"text":748,"children":946},[947,948],{"id":799,"depth":934,"text":802},{"id":810,"depth":934,"text":813},{"id":821,"depth":927,"text":824},{"id":832,"depth":927,"text":835},{"id":861,"depth":927,"text":864},{"id":872,"depth":927,"text":875},[954,993,1029,1066],{"slug":955,"locale":5,"category":956,"layout":957,"updatedAt":6,"related":958,"title":961,"description":962,"profession":963,"keywords":964,"faq":971},"mechanical-engineer","engineering","ats-friendly",[959,960],"project-manager","software-engineer","Mechanical Engineer Resume Template","A free mechanical engineer resume template with a complete sample, bullets for design, manufacturing and test roles, and the CAD and GD&T keywords recruiters search for.","Mechanical Engineer",[965,966,967,968,969,970],"mechanical engineer resume","mechanical engineering resume template","design engineer resume","manufacturing engineer resume","mechanical engineer resume example","entry level mechanical engineer resume",[972,975,978,981,984,987,990],{"q":973,"a":974},"Should I put PE after my name?","Yes, if you hold an active Professional Engineer license. Write it after your name or job title, for example \"Mechanical Engineer, PE\", and list the state and year in your licenses section. If you have passed the FE exam, write \"EIT\" or \"EI\", depending on what your state board calls it.",{"q":976,"a":977},"How do I show CAD skills without just listing software?","Name the tool in a bullet that describes real work, for example \"Designed the welded frame and 40-part assembly in SolidWorks, released to production with full GD&T drawings.\" That tells the reader both the tool and the level you work at.",{"q":979,"a":980},"Can I mention projects covered by an NDA?","Describe the type of work and the result without naming the customer, the part number or anything confidential. \"Designed a cooling manifold for an aerospace customer\" is usually fine. When in doubt, ask your manager what you are allowed to say.",{"q":982,"a":983},"Should a new graduate list senior design and Formula SAE?","Yes. For a graduate with little work experience, a capstone project or a student competition team is often the strongest evidence of design ability. Treat it like a job, with your role, what you built and what came out of testing.",{"q":985,"a":986},"Do I need a portfolio?","It is not required, but a short PDF with three or four projects, drawings and photos helps for design roles. Keep confidential work out of it and link it in your header.",{"q":988,"a":989},"How long should a mechanical engineer resume be?","One page for most engineers with under ten years of experience. Two pages are fine if you have led many programs or hold patents and publications that matter for the role.",{"q":991,"a":992},"Should I list every machine and process I have worked with?","List the processes you understand well enough to design for, such as injection molding, sheet metal or CNC machining. A short honest list helps recruiters match you, and interviewers often ask about anything you name.",{"slug":960,"locale":5,"category":994,"layout":957,"updatedAt":995,"related":996,"title":998,"description":999,"profession":1000,"keywords":1001,"faq":1007},"technology","2026-10-04",[959,997],"student","Software Engineer Resume Template","A free, ATS-friendly software engineer resume with a complete sample, example bullets for every level and the skills recruiters search for.","Software Engineer",[1002,1003,1004,1005,1006],"software engineer resume","software developer resume template","backend engineer resume","ATS resume for engineers","software engineer resume example",[1008,1011,1014,1017,1020,1023,1026],{"q":1009,"a":1010},"Should a software engineer resume be one page?","One page is enough for most people with under ten years of experience. If you have more and every line is still relevant, two pages are fine. Cut old jobs before you cut recent results.",{"q":1012,"a":1013},"Do I need a GitHub link?","It helps when your profile has work you are happy for someone to read. An empty or abandoned profile does more harm than leaving the link out.",{"q":1015,"a":1016},"Should I list every language and framework I know?","List the ones you could use in an interview tomorrow. A short, honest list reads better than a long one, and interviewers often ask about anything you mention.",{"q":1018,"a":1019},"How do I describe work on a team project?","Say what you personally did, then the result. \"Built the retry logic for the payments service\" is clearer than \"Part of a team that worked on payments\".",{"q":1021,"a":1022},"Do I need a summary at the top?","It isn't required, but two or three sentences help a recruiter place you quickly, especially if your job titles don't match the role you want. Skip generic lines like \"passionate developer\" and say what you build and with what.",{"q":1024,"a":1025},"Should I include a photo?","For jobs in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, leave the photo off. Some countries in Europe and the Middle East expect one. When in doubt, follow what local job posts and recruiters ask for.",{"q":1027,"a":1028},"How do I handle a gap in my work history?","Keep it short and factual. If you studied, freelanced, built something or cared for family, one line is enough. Most hiring managers care more about what you can do now.",{"slug":1030,"locale":5,"category":1031,"layout":1032,"updatedAt":995,"related":1033,"title":1035,"description":1036,"profession":1037,"keywords":1038,"faq":1044},"registered-nurse","healthcare","simple",[1034,997],"teacher","Registered Nurse Resume Template","A free registered nurse resume template with a complete med-surg sample, license and certification layout, and example bullets you can adapt.","Registered Nurse",[1039,1040,1041,1042,1043],"registered nurse resume","nursing resume template","RN resume example","med-surg nurse resume","new grad nurse resume",[1045,1048,1051,1054,1057,1060,1063],{"q":1046,"a":1047},"Should I put my license number on my resume?","You don't need to. List the license type, the state and the year, for example \"Registered Nurse License, Arizona\". Employers verify the number themselves, and leaving it off keeps it out of every inbox you send the file to.",{"q":1049,"a":1050},"How should a new graduate nurse write a resume?","Put licenses and education first, then list clinical rotations like short jobs, with the unit, the hospital and what you did. Include any work as a CNA, patient care tech or unit secretary.",{"q":1052,"a":1053},"Do I need a summary?","A short one helps when you are changing specialty or applying to a unit that is different from your current one. Two or three sentences about your experience and what you are looking for is enough.",{"q":1055,"a":1056},"Should I list every certification?","List the ones that are current and relevant to the job. BLS is expected almost everywhere. ACLS, PALS, NRP or a specialty certification matter when the unit asks for them.",{"q":1058,"a":1059},"How long should a nursing resume be?","One page for most nurses with under ten years of experience. Two pages are fine for nurses with several specialties, leadership roles or travel contracts, as long as every line helps.",{"q":1061,"a":1062},"How do I list travel nursing contracts?","Group them under one heading, such as \"Travel Registered Nurse, through an agency\", and list each contract underneath with the hospital, the unit, the city and the dates. That keeps short contracts from looking like job hopping.",{"q":1064,"a":1065},"Should I mention the patient ratio on my unit?","It helps when it says something about the pace or acuity of the work, for example \"1:2 in a 20-bed ICU\" or \"1:5 on a 36-bed med-surg unit\". One line in the job description is enough.",{"slug":997,"locale":5,"category":1067,"layout":1068,"updatedAt":995,"related":1069,"title":1070,"description":1071,"profession":1072,"keywords":1073,"faq":1080},"students","compact",[960,1034],"Student Resume Template with No Experience","A free student resume template for internships and first jobs, with a complete sample that leads with education and projects instead of work history.","Student",[1074,1075,1076,1077,1078,1079],"student resume","student resume template","resume with no experience","internship resume example","college student resume","first job resume",[1081,1084,1087,1090,1093,1096,1099],{"q":1082,"a":1083},"What do I put on a resume if I have no work experience?","Education, projects, part-time jobs, volunteering, clubs and anything you organized. Employers hiring students know you don't have a career yet. They look for signs that you finish things and work well with people.",{"q":1085,"a":1086},"Should I include my GPA?","Include it if it helps you. Many students list it when it is 3.5 or higher, or when the job post asks for it. If you leave it off, some employers will ask, so be ready to answer.",{"q":1088,"a":1089},"Can I include high school achievements?","In your first year or two of university, a few strong ones are fine. After that, replace them with university work and projects.",{"q":1091,"a":1092},"How long should a student resume be?","One page. Cut older or less relevant items before you shrink the font.",{"q":1094,"a":1095},"Should I write an objective or a summary?","Either works if it is specific. Say what kind of role you want, when you are available and one or two things you bring. A line that only says you want a challenging position adds nothing.",{"q":1097,"a":1098},"Do class projects count as experience?","Yes. Put them in a projects section and describe them like work. Say what you made, the tools you used, your part in the team and the result. Employers hiring students expect this.",{"q":1100,"a":1101},"Should I list references on my resume?","No. Leave them off and don't write \"references available on request.\" Have two or three names ready, such as a professor, a manager or a club advisor, and send them when an employer asks.",[1103,1133],{"slug":1104,"locale":5,"updatedAt":6,"title":1105,"description":1106,"keywords":1107,"faq":1114},"ats-friendly-resume","ATS Friendly Resume: How to Pass Applicant Tracking Systems","How applicant tracking systems read a resume, what breaks parsing, which file format to send and how to test your own PDF before you apply.",[1108,1109,1110,1111,1112,1113],"ats friendly resume","ats resume template","applicant tracking system resume","ats resume format","how to make a resume ats friendly","ats resume pdf or word",[1115,1118,1121,1124,1127,1130],{"q":1116,"a":1117},"Is a PDF or a Word file better for an ATS?","A PDF with real, selectable text works well in almost every modern system. Send Word only when the job post or the application form asks for it. Never send a scanned PDF or a photo of your resume.",{"q":1119,"a":1120},"Is there a single ATS score that decides if I get an interview?","No. Each employer uses its own system and settings. Some rank candidates against the job post, many simply store applications for a recruiter to search and read. Free online scores are guesses based on one tool's rules.",{"q":1122,"a":1123},"Can I use two columns on an ATS friendly resume?","Some systems read two columns correctly and some mix the lines together. A single column is the safe choice. If you use two, test the PDF by copying its text and checking the order.",{"q":1125,"a":1126},"Should I copy keywords from the job post into my resume?","Use the exact terms from the post when they are true for you, and use them in context, inside your experience bullets and skills. Hidden white text and long lists of repeated keywords are easy to spot and look bad to the person who reads the resume next.",{"q":1128,"a":1129},"Do humans still read resumes that go through an ATS?","Yes. The system stores, filters and sorts applications, but a recruiter or hiring manager reads the resumes that move forward. Write for that person first.",{"q":1131,"a":1132},"Do icons and graphics hurt an ATS resume?","Icons next to contact details are usually ignored, which is fine as long as the text is there too. Skill bars, logos and charts carry no readable text, so anything you show only as a picture is lost.",{"slug":1134,"locale":5,"updatedAt":6,"title":1135,"description":1136,"keywords":1137,"faq":1145},"middle-east-cv","CV for UAE and Saudi Jobs: A Guide to Egypt and the Gulf","How to write a CV for jobs in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Egypt: personal details, attestation, notice period, salary and length.",[1138,1139,1140,1141,1142,1143,1144],"CV for UAE jobs","CV for Saudi Arabia","Gulf CV format","Dubai CV","Middle East resume","CV for Qatar jobs","degree attestation for Gulf jobs",[1146,1149,1152,1155,1158,1161],{"q":1147,"a":1148},"Should I put a photo on a CV for Dubai or Riyadh?","Many employers in the Gulf still expect a professional photo, but multinational companies and large recruiters increasingly don't ask for one. Follow the job post. If it says nothing, a photo is optional; if you add one, keep it formal and simple.",{"q":1150,"a":1151},"Do I need to include my nationality?","For Gulf jobs, usually yes. Nationality affects visa processing, and some roles are reserved for citizens. One short line with your nationality and current location or visa status saves the recruiter a question.",{"q":1153,"a":1154},"Should I write my expected salary on my CV?","No. Give a figure only when the job post or application form asks for it, and say whether you mean basic salary or the total package with housing and transport allowances.",{"q":1156,"a":1157},"Do I need my degree attested before applying?","Usually not just to apply, but most Gulf countries ask for attested certificates before issuing a work visa or permit. The process can take weeks and differs by country, so starting early helps if you are serious about moving.",{"q":1159,"a":1160},"How long should a Gulf CV be?","One to two pages. Long CVs of four or five pages still circulate in the region, but recruiters skim, and the third page rarely gets read.",{"q":1162,"a":1163},"Do I need an Arabic CV?","Most private sector jobs in the Gulf are advertised in English and accept an English CV. Some government and semi-government employers ask for Arabic or both. If you need an Arabic version, have a fluent speaker check it.",1792205413600]