The tabular Lebenslauf
German recruiters expect a tidy, two-column layout: dates on the left, role or qualification on the right, most recent first. Gaps of more than a few months should be explained briefly ("Elternzeit", "Weiterbildung", "Sabbatical"). Clarity and completeness matter more than design.
Photo, date and signature
The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) means employers can't require a photo, and many international companies now prefer CVs without one. Traditional employers may still expect a professional photo. Some candidates still add the place, date and a signature at the end. This is optional and increasingly rare in online applications.
Anschreiben and Arbeitszeugnisse
The cover letter (Anschreiben) is one page and formal. Many German employers also expect copies of degree certificates and Arbeitszeugnisse (written references from past employers). Collect these early. If you're from outside Germany, explain your qualification's German equivalent where you can.
Coming from abroad
Non-EU professionals often apply through the EU Blue Card or Germany's skilled-worker routes, and some professions need formal recognition of foreign qualifications. Make your language level honest and specific: German is often the deciding factor outside international tech and research teams.
Where to apply
The job boards and sites most used by employers in Germany:
- StepStone
- Indeed Deutschland
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit Jobbörse
- Make it in Germany (international candidates)
Reviewed by the PenworthCV writing team, October 2026. Conventions change: always follow the instructions in the job ad.