Are you looking for a job in Germany or do you want to apply for German-speaking positions? You need to create a professional CV in German with all the necessary data. In this article, you will discover how to write a CV in German and see a complete Lebenslauf template, i.e. a correct German CV.

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CV in German

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How to create a proper CV in German?

At the outset, it is worth noting that a CV in German (CV auf deutsch) is simply a Polish document translated into German and is not accepted by German employers.

If you are looking for a job in Germany, you should create a polished German CV that meets all local recruitment requirements. You may be making a significant mistake by searching the internet for “CV deutsch“, because Germans do not use the name CV or Curriculum Vitae, a CV is Lebenslauf for them.

Do you want to get a job in Germany? Create a Lebenslauf. Even if you apply to Polish companies for German-speaking positions, you will gain a lot by sending this document – You will show the employer that you have not only communication skills, but also knowledge of the customs of our western neighbors.

Write your German CV step by step

A German CV, or Lebenslauf, is a standard CV accepted in Germany, which differs from a Polish CV in several respects. If you only use a translation of your CV into German, your application will not meet the recruitment requirements in Germany and will therefore probably be rejected. Don’t make this mistake and create a correct document.

Are you wondering what distinguishes a Polish CV from a German one? First of all, it is the layout of the sections, the German CV contains the following sections:

  1. Personal data
  2. Summary (optional)
  3. Education
  4. Professional experience
  5. Abilities
  6. Other activities (optional)
  7. Place, date and signature

See how to write a professional German CV!

Personal data in your CV – template in German

The word CV in German is translated as “Lebenslauf” and this is also how you should title your document. The first section you need to fill in is personal data, the detail of this column may be surprising, because in a Polish CV all you need is your name, surname, phone number and e-mail address. When writing Lebenslauf , provide more information to provide the employer with a resume in a form that is well known to them.

Lebenslauf

CV in German – sample personal data:

Personal data – Persönliche Daten:

  • Name and surname;
  • Maiden name – Mädchenname (include this information if you have a maiden name);
  • Address: Adresse (enter the mailing address with the name of the country);
  • Phone number: Telefonnummer;
  • Email – Email;
  • Date of birth – Geburtsdatum;
  • Marital status – Familienstand;
  • Place of birth – Geburtsort;
  • Children – Kinder (specify the number of children you have, but remember that this information is not mandatory);
  • Citizenship – Staatsbürgerschaft.

Providing complete personal information will make German employers see you as a trustworthy candidate. You will also confirm your credibility if you put a professional photo in the top corner of your CV. The photo should be passport-size, and make sure that your image is appropriate: avoid selfies and informal attire.

Education – Lebenslauf deutsch

In the education section – Ausbildung – in Polish , only the last school completed should be entered, and university graduates should not enter high school or technical school. In our country, a broader description of educational achievements is used only by people without professional experience to emphasize their contribution to additional activities.

In a CV in German , however, the education section looks different. Put information about high school, even if you are a university graduate, the chronology is the same as in Poland – start with the last (newest) school or university you graduated and give the next (older) ones below.

Complete the education section (Ausbildung) with detailed information:

  • the name of the school or university;
  • date range;
  • city;
  • the final grade point average.

The German education system is different from the Polish one, so make sure that the employer understands what education you have. If you enter that you have graduated, for example, “Bartłomiej Nowodworski High School in Krakow”, the recruiter in Germany will not know what it is. The German high school closest to a Polish high school is Gymnasium, so if you graduated from high school, write “Gymnasium in” in your CV in German and give the city.

Work experience – CV in German

Meticulousness and detail are the hallmarks of a CV in German, which are also evident in the experience section. You must have gotten used to entering only the most recent jobs, excluding those that are irrelevant to the position you are applying for. When you are looking for a job in Germany, you must provide a complete employment history in order to have a chance of success in the recruitment processes.

Experience in German is Erfahrung, but in your CV use the title “Professional experience”, i.e. “Arbeitserfahrung” or “Berufliche Erfahrung”. In this section, include the following information:

  • company name;
  • sector;
  • city;
  • job title;
  • Responsibilities.

Do you want to stand out from other candidates? Provide achievements that prove your performance. Analyse what activities you have taken in your previous workplaces and consider whether they have contributed to the improvement of individual processes or increased efficiency, then write them in your CV in German.

Documents in German

How to describe achievements in a CV?

  • Provide specific numbers and percentages to show measurable results;
  • use clear and concise wording;
  • Include the achievements that are most relevant to the position you are applying for.

CV in German – example of achievements for the manager:

“Managing a team of 10 people, which led to a 25% increase in team efficiency.”
“Leitung eines Teams von 10 Personen, was zu einer Steigerung der Teamarbeitsleistung um 25% führte”.

Skills in a CV in German

Employers pay special attention to the skills of candidates, which are necessary to perform the tasks in the offered positions. In an era of high competition in the labor market, your specialist knowledge will help you stand out from your competitors. Describe the skills in your CV in German similarly to those in your CV in Polish, just remember that in Germany this section is often called “Kenntnisse”, which means “Knowledge”.

Additional sections in CV – template in German

In a German CV (Lebenslauf), additional sections are welcome, as they help the employer to get to know the candidate better. What information will help you enrich your resume?

  • Training & Certifications – Weiterbildungen und Zertifikate
  • Foreign language skills – Fremdsprachenkenntnisse
  • Volunteer Activities – Ehrenamtliches Engagement
  • Projects – Projekte
Biography in German

Should a sample CV in German include hobbies?

Hobbies can emphasize qualities such as leadership skills, teamwork skills, creativity, social commitment, as well as technical or analytical skills. If you decide to list your passions, remember to describe them specifically. For example, instead of writing “reading”, it is better to write “reading historical literature”. “Hobbies” is an optional section, so skip it if your interests have nothing to do with developing useful qualities.

CV clause in German

When you are looking for a job in Poland, always include the GDPR clause in your CV, and when you take part in recruitment for German-speaking positions, enter the translated content of the clause. However, if you are applying to work in Germany, you do not need to add a consent to the processing of personal data.

Resume template in German – template

Lebenslauf

Name:

Persönliche Daten
Adresse:
Telefonnummer:
Email:
Geburtsdatum:
Geburtsort:
Familienstand:

Ausbildung
September 2009 – Juni 2012
Ausbildung zum Koch, Berufsschule für Gastronomie, Munich

  • Praktische und theoretische Ausbildung in verschiedenen Bereichen der Küche
  • Abschlussprüfung mit sehr guten Noten bestanden

Berufliche Erfahrung
January 2020 – heute
Restaurant “Traditionell”, Berlin
Chefkoch

  • Leitung des Küchenteams und Koordination der Küchenabläufe
  • Erstellung von Menüplänen und Spezialitätenkarten
  • Verantwortung für die Qualität und Präsentation der Gerichte

März 2016 – Dezember 2019
Hotel “Luxusresidenz”, Hamburg
Souschef

  • Unterstützung des Chefkochs bei der Menügestaltung
  • Überwachung der Zubereitung und Präsentation der Speisen
  • Schulung und Einarbeitung neuer Mitarbeiter

Kenntnisse

  • Kochtechniken: Klassische und moderne Kochmethoden, Sous-vide, Grillen, Backen
  • Küchenmanagement: Planung und Organisation, Teamführung, Qualitätskontrolle
  • Hervorragende kommunikative Fähigkeiten

Sprachen

  • English – Muttersprache
  • Deutsch – Fließend
  • Englisch – Grundkenntnisse

Weiterbildungen
2021: Zertifikat in internationaler Küche, Kochschule Gourmet Academy

CV in German – phrases that will be useful to you

Practical phrases you can use for your Lebenslauf in German:

Education:

  • Universität: University
  • Fachrichtung: Field of study
  • Schulabschluss: School-leaving certificate
  • Studienabschluss: Graduation
  • Bachelorarbeit: Bachelor’s Thesis
  • Masterarbeit: Master’s thesis

Experience:

  • Erfolge: Achievements
  • Practice: Practice
  • Teamleiter: Team Leader

Abilities:

  • Sprachkenntnisse: Knowledge of languages
  • EDV-Kenntnisse: Knowledge of computer programs
  • Expertise: Expertise
  • Soft Skills
  • Teamfähigkeit: Teamwork skills
  • Kommunikationsfähigkeit: Communication skills
  • Project management: Project management
  • Ehrenamtliche Tätigkeiten: Volunteering
German CV

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Is it worth including a cover letter with your CV in German?

You can include a cover letter (Anschreiben) with your CV in German to show the employer your commitment and motivation. A cover letter is an important component of a job application because it gives recruiters insight into your skills and experience, as well as giving you a better understanding of why you want to work for that particular position.

A cover letter in German is not significantly different from the one in Polish, so you should follow similar rules:

  • address the letter to a specific person, and if you do not know who exactly the addressee is, write “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” or “Ladies and Gentlemen”/ “Ladies and Gentlemen”;
  • in the introduction, express interest in the position;
  • describe your most important qualifications and experience in the content;
  • end with the salutation “Mit freundlichen Grüßen“, which means “Yours sincerely” and sign your name.

Match your cover letter to a specific job offer, this is the only way you have a chance to convince recruiters to your candidacy, and remember to write concisely and to the point.

Write your CV in German and get your dream job

Create documents in German carefully, Germany is famous for its organization, so they pay attention to the right form and linguistic correctness. Do you want to make sure that your CV will be professional? Check out our resume builder in German from Creator CV, where you can translate all the ready-made elements of your resume with just one click.

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