German CV Builder with AI – template for candidates!

Looking for a job in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland? Or maybe you're applying to a company where German is the recruitment language? A CV in German is absolutely essential!

How does a German CV differ from a Polish one?
German CV template – basic sections
German CV template – classic or modern?
German CV builder – is it worth it?
Practical table – German CV in a nutshell
Summary
FAQ – German CV

How does a German CV differ from a Polish one?

A German CV (Lebenslauf) is more organized and formal than a Polish CV. Recruiters pay special attention to:

📌clear structure,

📌concrete information,

📌absence of unnecessary descriptions,

📌chronological or reverse order of experience.

In many industries, it is still standard to include:

📌a photograph,

📌date of birth,

📌citizenship.

Though increasingly, a more modern approach to recruitment is becoming common.

German CV template – basic sections!

A professional German CV template should contain the following elements:

1. Personal Data (Persönliche Daten)

full name,
phone number,
email address,
citizenship (optional).

2. Professional Profile (Kurzprofil)

A brief description (2–3 sentences) summarizing your work experience and specialization. This is a good place to stand out right from the start of your CV.

3. Work Experience (Berufserfahrung)

List your experience in reverse chronological order:

company name,
employment period,
scope of duties and achievements.

4. Education (Ausbildung / Studium)

name of school or university,
field of study,
years of education.

5. Skills (Kenntnisse)

foreign languages (with A1–C2 level),
technical skills,
soft skills.

6. Additional Information (Zusätzliche Kenntnisse)

Courses, certificates, driver's license or interests – only when they are relevant to the position.

German CV template – classic or modern?

✅In Germany, classic and minimalist CV layouts work best. So it's worth familiarizing yourself with:

📌Europass,

📌Elegant,

📌Modern Professional,

📌Technology Innovator.

✅Graphic designs are mainly welcome in creative industries. For example:

📌Friendly,

📌Elegant Executive,

📌Modern Minimal,

📌Creative Bold.

✅Additionally, when choosing a German CV template, pay attention to:

✘muted color scheme

✘readable font

✘logical section layout

German CV builder – is it worth it?

Creating a CV in a foreign language can be stressful, so more and more candidates choose a German CV builder, like ours, with the option of CV translation. With us you gain:

📌ready-made German CV template,

📌correct structure and section naming,

📌time savings,

📌lower risk of language errors.

Practical table – German CV in a nutshell

The table below is a quick checklist to help you prepare a professional German CV that meets recruiters' expectations:

German CV Section	What should be included?	Example format (DE)
Personal Data (Persönliche Daten)	Basic identification and contact information: full name, address, phone number, email. Optionally date of birth and citizenship.	Jan Kowalski Musterstraße 12 10115 Berlin Tel.: +49 123 456789 E-Mail: jan.kowalski@email.de
Professional Profile (Kurzprofil)	2–3 sentences summarizing your work experience, specialization and main advantage as a candidate. Optional section but highly appreciated.	Motivierter Produktionsmitarbeiter mit über 4 Jahren Berufserfahrung in der Schichtarbeit. Zuverlässig, belastbar und teamorientiert.
Work Experience (Berufserfahrung)	Position, employer name, employment period and specific duties. Chronological order from most recent experience.	Produktionsmitarbeiter – Firma XYZ (03.2021 – 06.2024) • Bedienung von Produktionsmaschinen • Qualitätskontrolle • Verpackung und Vorbereitung der Ware
Education (Ausbildung / Studium)	Information about completed school or university: name of institution, field of study and years.	Technische Schule Krakau Fachrichtung: Mechanik 2015 – 2019
Skills (Kenntnisse)	Technical skills, machine operation, systems or tools relevant to the position.	• Maschinenbedienung • Grundkenntnisse MS Office • Staplerfahren (ohne Schein) • Führerschein Klasse B
Foreign Languages (Sprachkenntnisse)	Knowledge of foreign languages with specified level according to European scale (A1–C2).	Deutsch – B1 Englisch – A2 Polnisch – Muttersprache
Additional Information (Zusätzliche Angaben)	Courses, certificates, driver's license or other information that may increase your attractiveness as a candidate.	• Bereitschaft zur Schichtarbeit • Hohe Motivation • Flexibilität

✨ Tip:

A German CV should be matter-of-fact and concrete. Focus on facts, real duties and skills. Avoid generalizations and literal translations of a Polish CV.

Summary

A professional German CV template significantly increases your chances of being invited to an interview.
Whether you choose a classic German CV template or a modern one, the keys are correct language, clarity and alignment with the job offer.
If you value time and quality, a German CV generator can be the best solution – especially when submitting your first application to the German job market.

FAQ – German CV (Lebenslauf)

1. What should a German CV structure look like?

A German CV, or Lebenslauf, typically takes the form of a table (tabellarischer Lebenslauf). It consists of clearly separated sections, such as personal data, work experience, education and skills. The document should be clear, organized and written in formal language.

2. Where is the "Lebenslauf" header placed?

The Lebenslauf header is usually placed in the center or on the left at the top of the document. It serves as the title of your CV and is a standard element in German applications.

3. What personal data should be provided in a German CV?

In the Persönliche Daten section, you should provide your full name, address, phone number and professional email address. Often – though optionally – you also add date and place of birth and marital status.

4. How to describe work experience in a German CV?

The Berufserfahrung section should be written in reverse chronological order, i.e. from your most recent position. Each experience is described according to the pattern: employment period, position, company name, city and main duties.

5. How to present education in a German CV?

Education is placed in the Ausbildung or Studium section. Provide the name of the school or university, field of study and years of education. A detailed program description is not required.

6. What skills are worth including in a German CV?

In the Kenntnisse & Fähigkeiten section, include knowledge of languages, computer skills (EDV-Kenntnisse), driver's license and other competencies relevant to the position. It's worth using specific terms, such as "gute Kenntnisse".

7. Is it worth including interests in a German CV?

The Interessen section is optional, but appreciated, if it contains concrete and credible information. Avoid generalizations – it's better to indicate real activities.

8. Is a signature needed in a German CV?

At the end of the CV, city, date and signature (Ort, Datum, Unterschrift) are often included. This can be a handwritten or digital signature. Although not mandatory, it remains a standard.

9. Is a photo required in a German CV?

A photo is not a formal requirement, but in practice a professional Bewerbungsfoto is still very common in Germany. It is most often placed in the upper right corner of the document.

10. What are the key differences between Polish and German CVs?

A German CV is a Lebenslauf, not a biography. It is characterized by a formal style, precision, no GDPR clause and a tabular document format.

11. Is it enough to simply translate a Polish CV into German?

Simple translation is not recommended. It's best to prepare a CV from scratch in German, using correct job titles, school names and qualifications in line with German job market standards.

12. What German phrases are particularly important in a CV?

Among the most commonly used are: berufliche Erfahrung, schulische Ausbildung, gute Kenntnisse and abgeschlossen. It's worth using them instead of literal translations from other languages.

13. Is a cover letter required with a German CV?

Yes. In most recruitment processes, a cover letter (Anschreiben) is also required, which complements the Lebenslauf.

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