How to Write a CV in English for Germany

Applying for an English-speaking role in Germany or the broader DACH region? You might think you can simply translate your German Lebenslauf or just use your standard US resume. Think again.

1. The Personal Details Section (Persönliche Daten)

In the US, adding your date of birth or a photo is heavily discouraged due to anti-discrimination laws. In Germany, even on an English CV, these elements are often still expected by traditional recruiters, though the trend is slowly modernizing.

• Include a professional photo (unless explicitly stated otherwise in the job description).
• Nationality and Date of Birth are optional but highly normalized.

2. Chronological vs. Reverse-Chronological

Always use reverse-chronological order (newest first). The DACH standard expects a clean, tabular layout. If you are applying to traditional German corporate giants, a highly structured, two-column layout is strongly preferred.

3. Education and Grades

German recruiters do not instinctively understand a 3.8 GPA. You must translate or contextualize your grades.

• Use the Bavarian GPA Calculator (Bayerische Formel) to convert your GPA to the German 1.0 - 4.0 scale.
• Mention equivalence if necessary (e.g., "Equivalent to German Note 1.3").

4. Language Skills Standardization (CEFR)

Never just write 'Fluent in German'. Always use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• German: C1 (Fluent)
• English: C2 (Native-level)
• Spanish: B1 (Intermediate)

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