FoliumHow to write a CV for a job in Germany
German employers expect a particular kind of CV — the tabellarischer Lebenslauf: a tidy, reverse-chronological overview, usually with a professional photo, written in German unless the job ad is in English. Folium gives you photo-ready templates and German section headings, and turns your existing CV into a German copy with one click.
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What a German CV (Lebenslauf) usually includes
The format is more standardized than in the US or the UK. A typical Lebenslauf has:
- Personal details at the top: name, address, phone and email. Date of birth and nationality are common but optional.
- A professional photo, which is still usual even though employers can't require one.
- Experience and education in reverse-chronological order, with month and year for every entry and no unexplained gaps.
- One or two pages, in German, unless the job ad is written in English.
A traditional Lebenslauf ends with place, date and signature; in online applications this is often left out. German recruiters usually also expect a cover letter (Anschreiben) and copies of your certificates (Zeugnisse), often combined into one PDF.
How Folium helps with a CV for Germany
| What German employers expect | In Folium |
|---|---|
| A professional photo | All 30 templates take a photo, cropped in the browser |
| Section headings in German | Automatic when the CV language is German |
| A German version of your CV | “Translate CV” creates a German copy (free account) |
| A cover letter (Anschreiben) | AI draft from your CV and the job ad (free account) |
| A PDF for the application portal | Free PDF download, no watermark |
| A Word file, if a portal asks | Free Word (.docx) download |
See also which countries expect a CV photo and how the resume translator works.
Build your CV for Germany
Photo-ready templates · German headings · German copy of your CV · free
Start building — freeFrequently asked questions
Do I need a photo on a CV for Germany?
It isn't mandatory — since the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) of 2006, employers can't require one — but it's still common. If you add one, use a recent, professional head-and-shoulders photo.
Should my CV for Germany be in German?
Yes, unless the job ad is in English or the company works in English. With Folium you keep your original CV and create a German copy with “Translate CV”; read it through or have a German speaker check it before you send it.
How long should a German CV be?
One or two pages for most people. List each position and qualification with month and year, newest first, and explain longer gaps briefly (for example “Elternzeit” or “Weiterbildung”).
Do I have to sign my Lebenslauf?
Traditionally a German CV ends with place, date and signature. In online applications this is often left out; for printed applications or more traditional employers it's still common.
What else goes into a German job application?
Usually a cover letter (Anschreiben), your CV and copies of relevant certificates (Zeugnisse), often as one PDF. For regulated professions, foreign qualifications may need official recognition — the government portal “Anerkennung in Deutschland” explains the process.