How to make your CV perfect to get a job in Germany

To increase your chances when job hunting in Germany, you might need to know what a German-style CV is. While it is similar to the ‘global standard’, the best CV format for Germany follows certain rules concerning its design and the information provided. In this text, we share some useful tips on how to make a perfect CV for a job in Germany to help you secure employment and a decent salary.

Basic rules for your German CV

Before we move on to the specifics of a German CV format, let us review some basic rules.

1) Do your research and make your German resume company- and position-specific. This includes following the potential employer’s visual and business style, incorporating important keywords, and providing only the details that are relevant to the position.

2) Submit your CV in the language of the job advert. If your knowledge of German is insufficient, do not use it.

3) Ensure your formatting is proper. A standard German CV template is two pages maximum, with a clean, consistent, and neat layout. Leave plenty of space for the margins and between the sections. Avoid using different fonts (one font, two font sizes max) or too many colours (again, not more than two). Apply the same style for all sections to achieve the best CV format for Germany. Send your German resume as a .pdf file.

4) Do not water down your text with overly general sentences about your communication skills or proactive approach. Present facts and do it in telegram style, not in full sentences that is, “Increased sales by XX%” instead of “I have significantly improved this or that”. Last but not least, thoroughly proofread your German-style CV! Use a spell checker and, ideally, give the text to someone else to read.

German CV template structure

The best CV format for Germany has the following sections, usually in that order:

· Personal details,

· Work experience,

· Education,

· Skills,

· Interests/Hobbies.

Contrary to what is common in many English-speaking countries, a CV in Germany should contain a photo. It needs to be of good quality and correspond to the ‘spirit’ of the company/position (e.g. wear a suit if you are applying for a corporate position, or don’t look too formal if it is for a creative industry). Place it on the first page of your German resume, in either of the top corners.

In addition, a German CV template would end with the place and date of submission and your signature. At the same time, including an introductory paragraph listing your strengths is not suitable if you are trying to adhere to a German CV format.

Let us now have a closer look at how to make a perfect CV for a job in Germany.

Personal details

Mandatory

· First name, then last name (limit it to these two even if your full name is longer)

· Mobile phone number (also, the messaging apps you can be accessed on).

· Email address

· Physical address

· Link to your professional online profile (e.g. on LinkedIn) and/or your website if you have one

· Nationality and your visa status in Germany/EU.

Optional but recommended

· Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY)

· Marital status/number of children if applicable.

Work experience

To ensure the best CV format for Germany, list your jobs in reverse chronological order (the most recent first). For each job, including any relevant volunteer work, provide the name of the company, the start and end dates of employment (MM/YY), the location, your position(s), and employment status (intern, employee, contractor). Describe your duties, but focus more on your achievements and make them as specific and as relevant as you can. Use bullet points, no more than five, for each position.

Include keywords from the job description. If the company’s candidate selection process is automated, it will increase the chances of your CV in Germany being added to the candidate pool (but avoid being ‘smart’ and trying to trick the software into letting your file through).

Most importantly, be honest about your career! Any information can be easily cross-checked plus you would want your new job to be suitable for you, with the skillset and experience that you have.

Keep in mind that in a German resume, if there are significant gaps in your career, those should be briefly explained.

Education

Like in the work experience section of a German-style CV, list the institutions in reverse chronological order. Include the name of each institution, the start and end dates of your studies (MM/YY), and the result achieved (a degree, a certificate, etc.). If you excelled in your studies, take the opportunity to highlight that (for example, “GPA score 4.9/5” or “cum laude”). Note that if you are only starting out in the labour market and wondering how to make a perfect CV for a job as a newcomer, you can reverse the work experience and the education sections.

Skills

Here, list only the skills that are relevant to the position and may be valuable for your prospective employer. This includes your knowledge of languages (indicate your level accordingly), IT skills, any professional training, and soft skills.

Hobbies/Interests

Though not mandatory, this section of /a CV in Germany is expected to help recruiters understand your personality better. Make it brief and relevant, and avoid mentioning hobbies that are generally viewed as ‘time-wasters’ (such as playing video games, unless, of course, you are applying for a position in the game development industry).

These basic elements will help you to come up with the best CV format for Germany, make the most favourable impression, and, hopefully, get you a well-paid dream job. And if, as an employed expat, you now need to financially support your loved ones back home, do it as you do your job: efficiently, that is, with Profee. We cover 6%+ destinations worldwide and offer a fast, beneficial and convenient way to send money internationally. Visit our website or get the iOS/Android app to send your first transfer today!