How to write a German CV and cover letter

When you apply for a job, the HR manager will usually have 2-3 minutes to check your application. It is therefore important to present relevant information concisely and to find creative ways to make your application stand out.

What are the special features of a German application?

Most employers in Germany prefer formal applications consisting of the following:

• A CV (curriculum vitae)
• An application letter (cover letter)
• References and certificates
• Application photo: though not required by law, it is still common to include a photo on a German CV

Doing the right research beforehand will make it easier for you to prepare your documents in such a way that you stand out as a “perfect match”.

Here are some important steps to consider

• To gain an understanding of the company’s culture and values, read the “About Us” section on the company’s website.
• Identify the specific duties and requirements mentioned in the job advertisement. Pay particular attention to specific specialist knowledge, certificates and desired work experience.
• Also consider the required soft skills, such as the “ability to work in a team” or “strong communication skills”.
• Clearly distinguish between the essential and optional requirements, the cans and the musts, so that you can tailor your application accordingly.
• Check which qualifications or skills are particularly emphasised or repeated in the job advertisement.

Once you have thoroughly analysed the job advertisement, you will have relevant keywords that you can integrate into your application documents.

The German CV (curriculum vitae)

In Germany, a chronological CV is preferred. It starts with your current or most recent position and works backwards through your professional career. Use headings and subheadings: structure your CV with clear headings such as “Personal information”, “Professional experience”, “Education” and “Additional qualifications”.

• Personal information: Include your name, address, phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile if applicable. Information such as marital status or religion is not necessary and should be omitted.
• Professional experience: List your previous positions in reverse chronological order, including the job title, employer, location and dates of employment. Briefly describe your duties and achievements in each position. Write for example: Marketing Manager, Company XYZ, Berlin (01/2020 – present). Responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies, managing a team of five employees, increasing brand awareness by 20 %.
• Education: List your educational and professional training, also in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, the degree you obtained and the dates you were there. Write for example: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, University of Musterstadt (10/2015 – 09/2018). If the topic of your bachelor’s/master’s thesis is relevant to the position you are applying for and/or contains appropriate keywords, you can mention it here.
• Additional qualifications: List relevant language skills, IT skills and certifications along with the issuing organisations and dates if applicable.

The German application or cover letter

A German cover letter consists of an introduction, a main part and a conclusion. It should be limited to one page. Normally, this is the document that takes the most time. The good news: you get the chance to present yourself with a well-written cover letter.

Write a strong introduction that arouses the reader’s interest. HR managers only have a short amount of time per application. Creativity is an advantage here and will help you stand out among the pile of applications.

You should definitely avoid writing: “I hereby apply”. It is also not particularly creative to begin as follows: “I read your job advertisement for the position of Marketing Manager with great interest. With my several years of experience in marketing and my proven track record, I am convinced that I can make a valuable contribution to your company.” This is a standard introduction. You can’t go wrong with it, but it won’t make you stand out and the HR manager will probably see this type of introduction all the time.

The introduction to the cover letter

Why not try something with a little more reference and emotion? These are some good examples:

• “I am very excited about the opportunity to work as a project manager at your company, as it will give me the chance to make the most of my skills in agile project management and my passion for efficient processes.”
• “As an enthusiastic user of your products, I find your company philosophy very persuasive. The prospect of contributing to the further development of your services as part of your team is particularly motivating for me.”

The main part of the cover letter

In the main part of the cover letter you should focus on answering the question: Why am I exactly the right fit for the position? A suitable communication structure to answer this question is the following:

1. State your extensive experience in the required field.
2. Give examples of this experience. What exactly did you do? Where did you do it and with whom?
3. Make it clear that your knowledge and experience will enable you to make a significant contribution to the further development of the company.

The end of the cover letter

At the end of the cover letter, you should underline your motivation by showing interest in the company, expressing your personal enthusiasm and valuing the company’s philosophy. You could for example write something along the lines of:

• “I have been following the impressive successes of your company for years, especially your most recent project xy, which fascinated me due to its innovative approaches.”
• “My passion for [industry/topic area] was awakened during my time at [previous company], when I successfully managed [relevant task/project].”
• “The values of your company, such as sustainability and innovation, are exactly in line with my own beliefs and motivate me to become part of your team.”

It is also important to formulate a convincing closing sentence and a call to action. Something like this: “I look forward to discussing my ideas and visions with you during a personal meeting and am convinced that I can meet your expectations. I would be delighted to receive an invitation to an interview.” Use a formal greeting such as “Best regards” and sign the cover letter. If the application is in digital form the signature can also be digital.

Keywords in the cover letter and CV

Your research into the company and your thorough analysis of the job advertisement will provide you with relevant keywords that you can integrate into your documents. Examples of keywords could be “Programming languages” (Java, Python etc.), “Methods” (Agile, Scrum, DevOps), “Soft skills” (creativity, communication skills) or “Certificates” (PMP, PRINCE2).

Use the keywords to highlight your qualifications and experience. For example, in a cover letter: “With my five years of experience in project management and my PMP certification, I am confident that I meet the requirements of your job posting.” Incorporate the keywords into your CV by mentioning them in the sections detailing your professional experience, skills and qualifications. For example: “Successful management of projects with a budget of over 1 million euros.” As you insert the keywords into your application, make sure that they appear natural.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• One of the most common mistakes is to use a generic CV for all applications. Always adapt your CV to the respective position.
• Being imprecise when listing your experience. Instead of writing that you were responsible for various tasks in marketing you should name specific projects.
• Avoid using a general cover letter. Personalise it for the position and the company.
• Too much information: The cover letter is not the place for your memoirs. Not all your professional experience will be relevant to the job you are applying for. It is better to provide specific qualifications and experience.
• Mix & match: Don’t provide a colorful potpourri of knowledge and skills, but rather precise arguments that qualify you. However, your text should be tailored to the company and the job advertisement.
• Less is more: Don’t summarise your entire CV in the cover letter. In the cover letter, limit yourself to outlining your motivation for the job and providing two or three convincing core arguments.

Though not mandatory, an application photo is still very common in Germany. An attractive picture gives your application a face and makes you appear more professional and trustworthy. A CV with a photo is clearly an advantage if the picture is good, as a good first impression improves your chances of getting the job and strengthens your negotiating position. It is worth investing in a professional photographer who can let you know about the requirements for a good application photo.

In summary, it is important for your application documents to be clear, precise and tailored to the specific position. A well-structured CV and a convincing cover letter will increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. Use the tips and examples provided to make your application as optimal as possible and invest the necessary time and effort – it will be worth it.