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German CV & Cover Letter: The Bewerbung Format Guide | Spoklin
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How to Write a German CV and Cover Letter (Bewerbung) That Gets You an Interview
By Anna Weber · German teacher (Goethe-Institut certified)··Updated ·9 min read
A German job application (Bewerbung) is more formal and more standardized than most English-speaking countries expect: a tabular CV (Lebenslauf) with a professional photo is still the norm, and the cover letter (Anschreiben) follows an established structure rather than a free-form pitch. Employers judge the application's formatting and completeness almost as strictly as its content, so knowing the expected format matters before you ever reach the interview this guide's companion piece covers.
Most advice about German job applications focuses on vocabulary, but the more common way a Bewerbung gets rejected has nothing to do with grammar: it's the wrong format. German employers still expect a specific, fairly rigid structure — for both the CV and the cover letter — and an application that looks like a US resume or a casual cover letter reads as either careless or unfamiliar with local norms, even when the German itself is flawless.
This guide walks through exactly what belongs in a German Lebenslauf and Anschreiben, the formatting conventions that differ most from English-speaking countries, and the phrases that make a cover letter sound like it was written by someone who knows the process — not translated from another language.
What documents does a complete German Bewerbung actually include?
Unlike a one-document US application, a full German Bewerbung is a small packet. The cover letter and CV are required; the certificates and cover page are common enough that leaving them out can look incomplete for more traditional employers, though many startups and international companies now accept a lighter version.
Document
German name
Length
Purpose
Cover letter
Anschreiben
1 page
Explains your motivation and fit for this specific role
CV / résumé
Lebenslauf
1-2 pages
Tabular, reverse-chronological record of education and experience
Certificates
Zeugnisse
As needed
Degree certificates and, ideally, references from past employers
Cover page
Deckblatt
Optional
A photo and summary page some applicants add before the CV
How is a German CV (Lebenslauf) different from a US or UK résumé?
The tabular, date-first format is the single biggest visual difference employers notice immediately, so it's worth getting right even before the content.
Tabular format: German CVs are laid out as a two-column table — date range on the left, description on the right — not paragraphs or bullet-heavy blocks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a photo on a German CV?
It's optional under German anti-discrimination guidance, and many international companies and startups don't expect one, but it remains common practice at traditional and mid-size German employers. When in doubt, a neutral, professional photo is the safer default for those companies.
How long should a German cover letter be?
One page, no exceptions. German recruiters read cover letters quickly and expect the four-part structure to fit on a single page; a longer letter reads as unable to prioritize what matters.
Should my German CV and cover letter be in German even for an English-speaking role?
Check the job posting's own language first — international companies increasingly post and expect applications in English. If the posting is in German, or doesn't specify, apply in German, since it signals language ability the posting may not have explicitly tested.
What's the difference between a Lebenslauf and a Deckblatt?
The Lebenslauf is the CV itself; the Deckblatt is an optional cover page some applicants place before it, usually with a larger photo, a short personal statement, and a table of contents for the application packet. It's a matter of personal style, not a requirement.
Reverse-chronological order, but starting with your most recent position first within each section (education, then experience, or vice versa depending on your career stage).
A professional photo (Bewerbungsfoto) in the top corner is still standard at traditional and mid-size companies, though large international firms and startups increasingly don't expect one.
Personal details beyond most English-speaking norms: date of birth and place of birth are commonly included; marital status and nationality are now considered optional to omit in most modern CVs.
No 'References available on request' line — German CVs either list actual reference contacts or omit the topic entirely, handled separately if asked.
Signed and dated at the bottom, with your handwritten-style signature (a scanned signature or a signature font) directly above your name.
What sections belong in a German Lebenslauf, in order?
Persönliche Daten (personal details) — full name, address, phone, email, and optionally date/place of birth, at the top, often beside the photo.
Berufserfahrung (work experience) — job title, company, location, and dates, most recent first, with 2-3 lines describing responsibilities under each.
Ausbildung (education) — degrees and institutions, most recent first, including your Abitur or equivalent if you're early-career.
Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten (skills) — language levels (using CEFR: A1-C2), software, and other concrete, verifiable skills rather than soft-skill adjectives.
Interessen (interests) — optional, brief, and only included if genuinely relevant or a natural conversation-starter; German CVs use this more sparingly than you might expect.
Ort, Datum, Unterschrift (place, date, signature) — the closing line every German CV ends with, directly above a signature.
How do you structure the cover letter (Anschreiben)?
The Anschreiben follows a near-fixed four-part shape. Employers expect to see all four, in this order, without much deviation — creativity goes into the content within each part, not the structure itself.
Betreff (subject line) — one line naming the exact position and, if given, its reference number: 'Bewerbung als Marketing Manager (Ref. 2024-118)'.
Einleitung (opening) — one or two sentences on why you're applying and how you found the role; avoid the overused 'Hiermit bewerbe ich mich...' opener most guides still recommend, since experienced recruiters now read it as generic.
Hauptteil (main body) — 2-3 short paragraphs connecting your specific experience to the role's specific requirements, ideally mirroring language from the job posting itself.
Schluss (closing) — a brief, confident closing line requesting an interview, followed by 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen' and your name.
Which phrases make a German cover letter sound natural rather than translated?
Avoid word-for-word translating an English cover letter opener or closer — phrases like 'I am writing to express my interest' have no natural German equivalent and read as awkward when translated directly. Use the German conventions above instead of adapting an English structure.
Situation
Phrase
English sense
Stating your motivation
Besonders reizt mich an dieser Position...
What particularly attracts me to this position is...
Connecting experience to the role
Durch meine Erfahrung als ... konnte ich ... vertiefen
Through my experience as ... I was able to deepen ...
Explaining a strength
Meine Stärke liegt insbesondere in...
My strength lies particularly in...
Requesting an interview
Gerne überzeuge ich Sie in einem persönlichen Gespräch
