CV in German: German CV template and how to write it

How to write a CV in German

In German a CV is called a Lebenslauf. It has a table layout and starts with your current or most recent job.

• At the top your contact details; you can add your position under your name.
• Kurzprofil: a few sentences about you, without using “I”.
• Berufserfahrung: period, position, company and town, with short points on your tasks.
• Weiterbildungen, Ausbildung, then Kenntnisse: languages, computer skills, driving licence, certificates.
• At the end the town, date and signature.

Photo, date of birth, length

A photo is optional but still common: add only a professional, recent one. Date of birth and citizenship are up to you; you can leave out marital status and children. Length: 1 page with short experience, 2 at most.

Dates and languages

Write periods as MM/YYYY, always with the month, e.g. 03/2019 – 06/2023. Describe languages in words, not stars: “Deutsch – Grundkenntnisse”. Never overstate your level, because the employer will check it.

Why a translator alone is not enough

An online translator converts words, but it does not arrange your CV according to German customs or fit it to the job ad. With CVabroad you write in English and point to an offer, and you get a Lebenslauf with a translation of every sentence, so you know what you are sending.