Job Application in Germany — CV, Cover Letter and Tips

Status: March 2026. All information without warranty.

The German Application — Structure

A complete application in Germany consists of:
1. Anschreiben (1 page)
2. Lebenslauf (1–2 pages)
3. Certificates and diplomas (copies)

CV (Lebenslauf)

Required content:

• Personal data: Name, address, phone, email, date of birth
• Professional experience: Reverse chronological order (most recent first)
• Education: University, vocational training, school
• Skills: Languages (with level: A1–C2), IT skills, driver's license
• Photo: Common in Germany (but not mandatory)

Tips:

• Maximum 2 pages — concise and to the point
• Avoid gaps — every period must be explained
• Relevance: List only what matters for the position
• German format: Date as MM/YYYY (e.g., 03/2026)

Cover Letter (Anschreiben)

Structure:

1. Subject: "Application for [Position], Reference number [...]"
2. Introduction: Why this position? What motivates you?
3. Main section: Your key qualifications and experience
4. Closing: Salary expectations (if requested), earliest start date

Common mistakes:

• ❌ Copy-paste without customization for the company
• ❌ Too long (maximum 1 page!)
• ❌ Spelling errors (proofread carefully!)
• ❌ "Hereby I apply..." — too old-fashioned

Where to find jobs?

Recognition of foreign qualifications

Your foreign degree often needs to be recognized:
- Regulated professions (doctor, teacher, nurse): Recognition mandatory
- Unregulated professions: Recognition recommended, but not mandatory
- Portal: anabin.kmk.org (database for foreign qualifications)
- Counseling: Recognition advisory services of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or Chamber of Crafts

Tips for foreigners

• Always provide German language skills with a certificate (Goethe, telc, TestDaF)
• Unsolicited applications — very common and successful in Germany
• Use internships as an entry point — especially if you don't have a network yet