If you've been sending your regular CV to German companies and not hearing back, your CV might be the problem — not your qualifications. The German CV format has some specific conventions that differ from what's standard in the US, UK, or most of the Middle East. Ignore them and you'll struggle. Get them right and you'll stand out for the right reasons.
Here's what you need to know.
Photo: yes, include one
This is probably the biggest difference. In Germany, including a professional photo on your CV is still standard and expected. It should be a proper headshot — not a passport photo, not a holiday selfie, but a professional-looking photo with a clean background.
A lot of internationals skip this because in the US or UK it's considered discriminatory. In Germany, it's still the norm, and leaving it out can make your application look incomplete.
Personal information at the top
German CVs typically include:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address (or at least city)
- Phone number and email
- Nationality (optional but common)
- LinkedIn or portfolio link if relevant
You do not need to include marital status or number of children, even though this was common in older German CVs. That convention is fading out.
Reverse chronological order — always
Start with your most recent job and work backwards. Same for education. Germans are very structured about this and expect to see your career progression in a clear timeline.
For each job, include: company name, your role title, the dates (month and year), and 3–5 bullet points of what you actually did and achieved. Be specific — "increased sales by 23%" is better than "responsible for sales growth."
Keep it honest — references will be checked
German employers take employment verification seriously. Reference letters (Arbeitszeugnisse) from previous employers are standard and often requested. If you have them, include them or be ready to provide them. If you're coming from outside Germany where this isn't common, a LinkedIn recommendation or contact reference works too.
Length: 2 pages is fine, 1 is not always better
Unlike the Anglo-Saxon tradition where one page is the gold standard, German CVs can comfortably run to two pages — especially if you have 5+ years of experience. Don't try to cram everything onto one page if it makes it feel rushed.
Language: German or English?
It depends on the company. If the job posting is in English, send your CV in English. If it's in German, translate it. If you're not sure, a German CV shows more commitment to the market, but an English one at a startup is completely fine.
Cover letter: don't skip it
German companies still read cover letters. A good one explains why you want to work at that specific company and why you're a fit for that specific role — not a generic introduction. Keep it to one page, formal in tone, and customized.
This is also where language matters. A cover letter in German, even if it's not perfect, shows real effort. A cover letter in English for a role that was posted in German is a small red flag.
Getting it right matters more than most people think
The German job application process is thorough, and your CV is the first filter. Companies receive hundreds of applications — a poorly formatted CV or missing conventions gets screened out fast, regardless of your actual qualifications.
If you want your CV professionally reviewed — or written from scratch in a format that works for the German market — that's one of the services we offer. You send us your current CV, we give you specific feedback and recommendations, or rewrite it entirely. Reach out on Telegram or see the details on our Services page.