How to write a CV for jobs in Germany (in English)

Most English-speaking employers in Germany are happy with an international CV. A few German habits still matter, though, and getting them right makes your application easier to say yes to.

Photo, date of birth, marital status?

The classic German Lebenslauf had all three. You don't need any of them. The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects applicants from discrimination based on age, gender, origin and more, so many employers now prefer CVs without these details — international teams especially. If you add one, use a professional headshot — never a holiday picture.

Length and structure

• One to two pages, reverse chronological: most recent job first.
• For each role: title, company, city, dates (month and year), and 3–5 bullet points with results, not duties ("cut report time from 2 days to 2 hours").
• Explain gaps of more than a few months in one line (parental leave, relocation, studies). German recruiters notice unexplained gaps.
• Save as PDF and name it Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.

Say where you stand on the work permit

This is the line that saves you the most rejections. Put it under your contact details:

• EU citizen — no work permit needed, or
• Residence permit for work (§18b), valid until 06/2028, or
• Eligible for the EU Blue Card — degree recognised (anabin H+).

Recruiters screen out unclear cases first. Make yours clear. Not sure about the Blue Card? Read EU Blue Card 2026: salary thresholds.

Languages: use the CEFR levels

Write German — B1 (Goethe certificate, 2025) rather than "intermediate". Employers in Germany read A1–C2 fluently. If you are learning, say so: German — A2, attending evening course. It shows commitment even for English-only roles.

Cover letter, salary and start date

• Many startups no longer read cover letters; corporates still do. If the form asks for one, keep it to half a page: why this company, why you, what you'll do in the first months.
• Gehaltsvorstellung (salary expectation) is asked for often. Give a gross yearly range — check what similar jobs pay first.
• Eintrittstermin (start date) and your notice period: state them plainly, e.g. available from 1 March, 4 weeks' notice.

References and certificates

German employees receive an Arbeitszeugnis (written reference) from every employer, and recruiters may ask for them. If you don't have any, a short reference letter or two contacts is fine — just be ready to explain that references work differently in your country.

Before you hit send

1. Does the CV mention the tools and skills from the job ad, in the same words?
2. Is the work-permit line there?
3. Is it a PDF with your name in the file name?