	CV Pod Ogłoszenie	Kreatory CV w abonamencie	CV pisane na zamówienie
Cena	39–79 zł jednorazowo	kilka zł za próbę, potem zwykle 60–100 zł co 4 tygodnie	zwykle 150–450 zł
Abonament	Nie, płacisz raz	Tak, odnawia się sam, jeśli go nie anulujesz	Nie
CV pod konkretne ogłoszenie	Tak, osobne CV do każdego ogłoszenia + raport dopasowania	Nie, wszystko piszesz sam	Zależy od wykonawcy, często za dopłatą
List motywacyjny	W pakiecie od 49 zł	Piszesz sam	zwykle +90–100 zł
Czas	Kilka minut	Tyle, ile sam piszesz	zwykle 1–5 dni
Poprawki	Darmowa poprawka gotowa w minutę	Sam edytujesz	zwykle 1–2 rundy

CV for a job in Germany (Lebenslauf): format and tips

4 min read

A German Lebenslauf looks similar to a CV elsewhere, but it has its own conventions, and a German application usually includes more documents. If you're applying to a German company from Poland, Ukraine or another country, it's worth knowing these differences before you send anything.

How a Lebenslauf differs from other CVs

In Germany a CV is called a Lebenslauf, and it's only one part of the application (Bewerbung). A complete set also includes a cover letter, the Anschreiben, and attachments: certificates, diplomas and employer references. Recruiters often judge the whole package, not just the CV.

The details differ too: there's no data-processing consent clause like the one used in Poland, and a Lebenslauf traditionally ends with the place, date and your signature. Dates are usually written as MM/YYYY, and there shouldn't be any unexplained gaps.

The style is different as well. German documents are factual and precise, and self-praise without evidence lands worse than in many other countries. „Wartung von 12 CNC-Maschinen im Dreischichtbetrieb” (maintaining 12 CNC machines in three shifts) beats „expert machine operator”.

The tabular Lebenslauf: layout and order

The standard is the tabellarischer Lebenslauf, a CV laid out as a table: dates on the left, job title, employer and duties on the right. Reverse chronological order is the norm. Typical sections are Persönliche Daten, Berufserfahrung, Ausbildung, Weiterbildung, Sprachkenntnisse, EDV-Kenntnisse and Führerschein.

A Lebenslauf is usually two pages, or one if your experience is short. German recruiters value order and completeness more than eye-catching design. That's why our service offers a dedicated Lebenslauf template built around German conventions, and you can create your documents directly in German.

Under each role, list 3–5 duties or achievements as short bullet points. Keep the original company name and add the industry and city in brackets, for example „Logistik, Poznań, Polen”. Translate your job title into the German equivalent used in job ads.

Photo, personal details and signature

A Bewerbungsfoto is a custom in Germany, not a requirement. Many candidates still include one, while some companies explicitly ask for applications without a photo. If you add one, choose a professional portrait in understated clothing.

For personal details, your name, address, phone number and email are enough. Many candidates still give their date of birth and nationality, but it isn't necessary. At the end, add the line „Ort, Datum” and your signature, for example „Berlin, 12.03.2026” with a scanned signature – online applications sometimes skip this, but it's still well received.

The Anschreiben (cover letter)

A cover letter is required more often in Germany than in many other countries. The Anschreiben is one page long, refers to a specific job ad and explains why you're a good fit. Open with something concrete rather than „Hiermit bewerbe ich mich”, which is now considered old-fashioned.

If you're moving from abroad, say when you can start and what your relocation plans are. Recruiters often ask foreign candidates about this. You'll find broader tips in our guide to writing a cover letter.

The header of an Anschreiben includes your details, the company's address, the place and date, and a subject line (Betreff) with the job title. If you know the recruiter's name, address them personally, for example „Sehr geehrte Frau Schmidt”.

Zeugnisse and the Arbeitszeugnis

A German application includes school certificates and diplomas (Zeugnisse) and references from employers (Arbeitszeugnis). An Arbeitszeugnis is a written assessment of your work that German companies give to departing employees. Employment certificates from other countries, such as the Polish świadectwo pracy, are usually purely formal and contain no assessment.

So it's worth asking former managers for a reference letter and attaching a German translation. A careful translation is usually enough for a regular application; certified translations are mostly required by authorities and by employers in regulated professions.

If you have no references at all, don't panic. Describe concrete duties and results in your Lebenslauf, and in the Anschreiben offer the contact details of a former manager who can confirm your experience.

Bewerbungsmappe or online application

Applications used to be sent in a paper folder, the Bewerbungsmappe. Today most companies accept them by email or through a careers portal. When applying by email, combine the Anschreiben, Lebenslauf and attachments into one PDF in that order, unless the ad says otherwise.

Give the file a clear name, such as „Bewerbung_Anna_Nowak.pdf”, and keep an eye on its size, as large scans can bounce. On careers portals you fill in a form and upload documents separately, so it helps to have them ready as individual files too.

Whatever the format, check that the Anschreiben and Lebenslauf match: the same dates, job titles and phone number. In Germany inconsistencies come across as carelessness, and attention to detail is often the first thing recruiters assess.

German language skills on the CEFR (GER) scale

State your level using the GER scale (Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen, the German name for the CEFR): A1–C2. „Deutsch – B2 (Goethe-Zertifikat)” or „Deutsch – B1, aktuell Sprachkurs B2” is clear to a recruiter. Don't overstate your level, because a phone call will quickly reveal it.

List your native language as Muttersprache. In many sectors, such as logistics, manufacturing or care, Eastern European languages can be an extra asset, since teams are often international.

If your German is still weak and you work in a field where English is enough, such as IT, say clearly which language you use at work. At the same time show that you're learning German, because you'll need it in daily life and in most companies anyway.

Diploma recognition and the right to work

In regulated professions, such as nursing, medicine or some technical trades, foreign qualifications must be recognised in Germany (Anerkennung). The official portal anerkennung-in-deutschland.de explains the procedure for each profession. On your CV you can note that recognition is in progress, for example „Anerkennung beantragt”.

EU citizens, including Poles, can work in Germany without a work permit. The rules for Ukrainian citizens and other non-EU nationals depend on residence status and can change, so check them with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit or the relevant authorities. Once you have all the information, tailor your Lebenslauf to a specific job ad, for example in our builder.

Questions and answers

Do I need a photo on a German CV?

No, a photo is a custom in Germany, not a requirement. Many candidates still add one, but some companies ask for applications without photos. If you include one, make it professional.

Do I have to sign my Lebenslauf?

Traditionally a Lebenslauf ends with the place, date and signature. Online applications sometimes leave it out, but it's still well received.

Should a German CV include a GDPR consent clause?

No, the consent clause used on Polish CVs isn't used in Germany. Just send your documents as instructed in the job ad.

What is an Arbeitszeugnis and what can I send instead?

An Arbeitszeugnis is a written reference from an employer and is standard in Germany. If you worked in another country, attach a reference letter translated into German.

Where can I check whether my foreign diploma is recognised in Germany?

The official portal anerkennung-in-deutschland.de explains how qualifications are recognised. The procedure depends on the profession and the federal state where you want to work.

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CV for a job in Germany (Lebenslauf): format and tips

How a Lebenslauf differs from other CVs

The tabular Lebenslauf: layout and order

Photo, personal details and signature

The Anschreiben (cover letter)

Zeugnisse and the Arbeitszeugnis

Bewerbungsmappe or online application

German language skills on the CEFR (GER) scale

Diploma recognition and the right to work

Questions and answers

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