German CV Template in English [Ultimate English Guide] (2024)

FAQs

Which CV format is best for Germany? ›

For the German resumes, we recommend using the reverse-chronological format to list your work experience as German hiring managers are more interested in your recent experience.

The CV structure in Germany can be different from that of your home country. Simply translating your current CV into German is not sufficient. You should make sure that you use the German CV format when applying for a job in Germany. Note that there is no one best way to write a CV.

German CVs are not more than 2 pages long. Anything longer than that is considered too long and risks getting rejected by the hiring managers.

Applying in Germany is special in that respect as you are expected to send in your job applications and CVs with a photograph attached to it. In many other cultures for instance in the US or UK you are not expected to have photos on your resume.

In many countries and cultures, resumes with photographs are not considered important and sometimes are strictly avoided. However, it is common practice in Germany to have resumes with photographs.

Language requirements to work in Germany

While you may find English-speaking jobs in Germany, you'll need to be able to speak at least some German to get most jobs (even those teaching English). If you speak no German, it's likely that you'll be restricted to casual and informal work which is typically lower-paid.

IELTS test results are commonly accepted by the German higher education as proof of English language proficiency for studying. The test consists of 4 sections: Listening. Academic writing.

Long story short: You can survive in Germany without knowing the German language; most Germans speak English, the train usually runs announcements in English and in restaurants or bars, waiters and waitresses often speak English, especially in the city center.

A German CV is usually one A4 page long, though in recent years this has changed with some CVs extending length to two A4 pages. Another important design and German CV format tip is that jobseekers writing a German CV should keep font and font size as clear and simple as possible.

Importantly, the first three basic indicators on the language proficiency scale, Beginner (A1), Elementary (A2), and Pre-intermediate (A2/B1), refer to elementary proficiency and should not be included in the resume. They are too limited for a professional context. An employer would consider them irrelevant.

Is it OK for a German resume to be 2 pages? ›

Reader friendly – in Germany they will allow you up to two pages for your resume. This doesn't mean you have to fill two pages or that you should cram as much info as possible onto your two A4 sides. You should therefore make sure that the font isn't too small or ridiculously big.

Something which is very typical for Germany is that you have to sign your CV at the bottom. Sign below the text on the right, next to the place and date in the left corner – that is the most common layout. However, you will also find CVs that hold a signature on the left with the date and place right below.

The best answer for how long can a resume be in modern hiring is: It should be as short as possible and still convey your worth. For most job seekers, that means one page. That's true for anyone with less than 7–10 years of relevant experience.

Keep your CV concise and to the point. It should be no more than 2 pages of A4 unless you are applying for an academic / research post. Focus on your recent and most relevant experience and achievements. The employer wants to read a tailored CV focused on transferable experience, skills and achievements.

United Kingdom, United States and Canada. In most cases, CVs for the United Kingdom, United States and Canada should not include a photo. This is largely due to anti-discrimination regulations.

However, companies in Germany usually appreciate an individual design for your application; hence, you can use the Europass CV as a guide and then adjust it to your individual style.

The cover letter is a very important part of the job application in Germany, if not the most important part. If your cover letter doesn't shine, the prospective employer will look no further and discard your application. You must take your cover letter as seriously as they do.

Posture and smile: Smile! Your smile should not be artificial, be rather genuine while having a professional posture. The recruiter will see you as friendly and open minded. Regarding the pose, it is possible to be front-facing or the classic CV photo: three-quarter turned body and the face towards the camera.

Recruiters will be used to receiving resumes/CVs with or without resume photos, depending on the occupation in question. When in doubt, to err on the safe side, we suggest not including a photo.

How much salary is enough in Germany? ›

A good annual average salary in Germany is between €64,000 to €81,000. This gross salary (salary before taxes or social contributions) depends on your profession, industry, and education.

On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 861 euros per month (around $1,002 US dollars) or 10,332 euros per year (around $12,024 US dollars). The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average.

Germany vs the UK: Salaries

Salaries in Germany are higher than in the UK. In 2019 average salary in Germany was 52,147 EUR, while in the UK – 34,700 EUR. This trend will continue in 2022.

B2 is the first level that means that you can speak really fluent and understand 80% of the situations that you find yourself in repeatedly. You can prepare yourself for the exam and even see a sample of the language level here.

The third level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages is level B1. It is definitely a step beyond the A1 and A2 exams. Passing a level B1 exam means that you are entering the intermediate level of your journey through the German language.

Yes, you can find some of the English universities without IELTS in Germany. So there is no need for you to learn a whole new language, German. Being an international student, you can get admission into these English speaking universities and gain international study experience.

Berlin – English very widely spoken in Berlin. You should be fine in almost all hotels, shops and restaurants. Elsewhere most people will either speak at least basic English or be able to get someone who does. You don't need German when visiting Berlin.

English. 56% of the population speak English. Its growing popularity as the official language of business has resulted in more German businesses officially adopting English as their main language.

First, German CVs typically start with your personal information, followed by your work experience and education. Unlike in other countries, it is not mandatory to include a section on your hobbies or interests. The ideal length for the CV would be one page and can be up to 2 pages in length.

Which CV format is best for Europe? ›

The Europass CV is one of the best-known CV formats in Europe. It is easy-to-use and familiar to employers and education institutions. You will first have to create your Europass profile with information on your education, training, work experience and skills.

“It really depends on if it's important to your role,” says the career expert. If you're fairly proficient in a language but it has no bearing on the job to which you are applying, don't bother adding it to your resume, says Augustine.

Give your language skills their own section. Add the language skills section after the core resume sections (heading, experience, skills, and education resume section). List languages with your level of proficiency using one language framework. Start at the top with the language you are most proficient in.

English is considered the most widely spoken language in the world and is the most commonly spoken language in the United States. It's spoken in 57 countries worldwide, making it a valuable language to have on your resume.

For example, in Europe, the most widely used term is CV instead of resume. The word for CV in Germany is Lebenslauf, which means 'Life Run'. A CV is used more as a place to state facts without the fluff.

A CV will be just as valid without the signature, but it does award it a personal note. Your personal signature also serves to guarantee the authenticity of the document, and that you're familiar with the practices of professional business communication.

How long should your resume be in 2022? There is no perfect answer. Depending on the job description and your work experience, your resume should be one or two pages long. If you have over 10 years of relevant experience, a multi-page resume works better than a one-page.

The Europass CV is one of the best-known CV formats in Europe. It is easy-to-use and familiar to employers and education institutions. You will first have to create your Europass profile with information on your education, training, work experience and skills.

However, companies in Germany usually appreciate an individual design for your application; hence, you can use the Europass CV as a guide and then adjust it to your individual style.

European Format

Germany needs a comprehensive lebenslauf(CV) that includes month by month employment history and language proficiency details.

What is European style CV? ›

The major differences between a European CV and a resume are in its length. A US resume is not usually longer than two pages. A US CV can be upwards of 10 pages but a European CV is usually two to three pages. There's actually a European standard CV created by the EU administration called the Europass CV.

Summary. The Europass CV doesn't give any benefits to internship / job seekers because it has become too commonplace. This template is ranked even lower than a short and plain CV, deteriorating your interview chances. Ensure that you use a good CV format because a bad one will hurt you more than a canned one.

So, unless your employer explicitly requires so, we advise against using this format due to its outdated design, lack of effective use of white space, single-column layout, and other reasons we covered in this article. With so many better options out there, the Europass format is simply outdated.

Recruiters will be used to receiving resumes/CVs with or without resume photos, depending on the occupation in question. When in doubt, to err on the safe side, we suggest not including a photo.

Europass is your free set of online tools to manage your skills, and plan your learning and career in Europe.

Even though resumes may be an international concept, there are some differences between countries. For example, in Europe, the most widely used term is CV instead of resume. The word for CV in Germany is Lebenslauf, which means 'Life Run'. A CV is used more as a place to state facts without the fluff.

The Europass is accepted throughout Europe (not in the UK) but there are also alternatives. Each job posting has specific instructions and you should follow them to the letter. For most positions, you can use an online resume builder to quickly create an attractive resume to send.

Although the Europass system to create a CV or resume is designed for use in Europe, you don't have to be from Europe to use it. Some European employers may be used to its format, and may even prefer it.

For example, if you want to apply for a visa to look for a job, proof of German language skills might be necessary. For a visa for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, at least an A2 level is usually required.

Despite having a 92% student visa acceptance rate, the German government will still reject your student visa for some reason such as a poor financial status, low academic performance, or lack of interview preparation, etc.

What does a CV look like in Germany? ›

In contrast to CVs in many other countries, CVs in Germany are simple “fact sheets”, listing experience, skills and education in a way that is free from embellishment, business jargon or buzzwords. Instead of being a sales pitch, German CVs let the facts speak for themselves.

A German CV is usually one A4 page long, though in recent years this has changed with some CVs extending length to two A4 pages. Another important design and German CV format tip is that jobseekers writing a German CV should keep font and font size as clear and simple as possible.

A European CV is usually limited to between two and four pages, similar to a basic resume in the U.S. In Europe, an entry-level candidate's CV would probably be only two pages, while a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience might reasonably need four pages. An American CV, however, can span multiple pages.