Germany · Resume writing
German CV in English: When It Works and How to Format It (2026)
An English CV can be the right call in Germany, but not every time. It works when the job ad is in English, when the company says English is fine, or when your German isn't strong enough to carry a German CV. Otherwise German employers usually expect documents in German, so ask if you're unsure. Either way, keep the German structure: a table with dates on the left, newest entry first, CEFR language levels, one to two pages.
You've seen a job in Berlin or Munich that fits you perfectly, and the ad is in German. Your German is... a work in progress. Do you write the CV in German and hope for the best, or send it in English and risk looking out of place? It's one of the most common worries for people applying from abroad, and it's a fair one.
The honest answer is that it depends on the job, the company and your German, and that sources don't all say the same thing. Here's what the official and university guidance says, where it disagrees, and how to build an English CV that still looks German.
- English or German: what the sources say
- What to keep from the German format
- Photo, birth date and signature: where the advice splits
- German section headings, in English
- English CV template in German layout
- Mistakes to avoid on an English CV for Germany
- Frequently asked questions
- Your next step
- Your next steps
English or German: what the sources say
| Situation | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| The job ad is in English | deutschland.de says applications should generally be in German unless the job advertisement itself is in English. Simple Germany (a commercial CV-template site) also says an English CV works when the job is English-speaking. |
| The ad is in German, but your German is limited | deutschland.de says an English CV in the traditional German layout may be better, because it avoids overstating your German skills. The University of Hohenheim lists "a CV in German if your language proficiency is not adequate" among its CV no-gos. |
| The ad is in German and your German is strong | A German CV is the natural fit, but get it proofread. deutschland.de says to have a native speaker check your documents because errors can lead to rejection, and TU Ilmenau notes German employers take spelling and grammar mistakes very seriously. For internships, Princeton's German department says the whole CV should be in German. |
| You can't tell | Make it in Germany (in its guide for IT specialists) says documents usually need to be in German, though some companies request English, so ask first. |
If there's a contact person or a recruiter's email, a one-line question ("Would you like my application in English or German?") costs nothing. Our suggestion: do that before you spend a weekend translating.
What to keep from the German format
Switching language doesn't mean switching format. Writing an English CV in a US or UK layout is where people stand out for the wrong reasons. These elements show up across the German sources:
- A tabular layout. Make it in Germany says the CV typically has the format of a table, and TU Ilmenau and IHK Pfalz put the dates in a left-hand column. See our guide to German CV date format for how to write them.
- Newest entry first. Work experience and education run in reverse chronological order.
- One to two pages. LMU, Hohenheim, TU Ilmenau and Simple Germany all give one to two pages (Hohenheim says two at most unless you have substantial experience or apply for academic roles).
- CEFR language levels. Make it in Germany, Hohenheim, TU Ilmenau and Princeton all list languages with levels, such as English: C1 or German: B2.
- A plain, real-text PDF. LMU says to export a PDF that contains real text rather than an image, and Hohenheim warns against exporting the CV as a graphic.
- A short profile, if any. Hohenheim describes a profile in full sentences focused on key skills and goals, and says a "key achievements" section is uncommon in German CVs. Simple Germany suggests two to three sentences, optional.
Photo, birth date and signature: where the advice splits
These three are where an English CV gets tricky, because the sources give different answers depending on who the CV is for.
- Photo. Optional but common (TU Ilmenau, Hohenheim); Make it in Germany says applicants are often expected to include one, depending on the industry. LMU's separate tips for "international applications" say not to include one. Our full guide: German CV photo: requirements, size and rules.
- Date and place of birth. TU Ilmenau says it is still often included; Hohenheim's sample shows it but treats name, address, phone and email as the necessary basics; LMU's international tips say to leave it out, along with marital status, religion, nationality and gender.
- Signature and date. TU Ilmenau calls a signature and the current date standard German practice; Hohenheim says a signature isn't needed; LMU's international tips don't mention one.
Our reading: if you're applying to a German employer, mirror German practice (photo and birth date are your call, but they won't look strange). If the employer is an international company working in English, the LMU-style "leave it out" approach is just as defensible. When in doubt, look at how the company writes its own job ads and follow that tone.
German section headings, in English
Keep your headings in English on an English CV. If a recruiter skims for German terms, these are the ones that appear in the sources:
| English heading | German term | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Personal data | Persönliche Daten | Princeton German Department |
| Work experience | Berufserfahrung | TU Ilmenau, Princeton |
| Education | Ausbildung (TU Ilmenau) or Studium (Princeton, for university studies) | TU Ilmenau, Princeton |
| Skills | Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten | TU Ilmenau |
| Languages / IT skills | Sprachen / EDV-Kenntnisse | Princeton |
One trap: Ausbildung means a vocational apprenticeship in everyday German, but TU Ilmenau uses it as a heading for education in general. On an English CV, "Education" avoids the confusion.
English CV template in German layout
Paste it into Word or Google Docs as a two-column table with no visible borders. Replace every [bracket] and delete any line you don't need.
[Full Name]
[Street, Postcode City, Country] | [Phone with country code] | [Professional email] | [LinkedIn URL]
Personal data (optional, see above)
Date of birth: [DD.MM.YYYY] | Nationality: [Nationality]
Profile (optional, 2–3 sentences)
[Your field, your strongest skills and what you are looking for in Germany.]
Work experience
[mm/yyyy] – to date | [Job title], [Company], [City, Country]
• [Responsibility or result]
• [Responsibility or result]
[mm/yyyy] – [mm/yyyy] | [Job title], [Company], [City, Country]
• [Responsibility or result]
Education
[mm/yyyy] – [mm/yyyy] | [Degree], [University], [City, Country]
Final grade: [grade and scale]
Skills
Languages: [Language]: [native / CEFR level], [Language]: [CEFR level]
IT skills: [Tools and software]
Certificates: [mm/yyyy] [Certificate], [Institution]
[City], [DD.MM.YYYY] | [Signature, if you choose to sign]
Two notes on the template. First, Hohenheim says grades should be converted into one common system for comparability, so state your scale next to a foreign grade. Princeton's German department shows one way to convert a US GPA to the German scale (3.3 becomes 1,7 in its example), but check how the employer or a recognition body would read your grade before converting it yourself. Second, Make it in Germany recommends translating your certificates into German or English so the company can understand them.
Prefer not to build the table by hand? Our German CV format builder creates an English CV in this German layout (dates on the left, CEFR language levels, optional photo) with a live A4 preview. The PDF download is free with a free account.
Mistakes to avoid on an English CV for Germany
- Sending a German CV your German can't back up. Hohenheim lists it as a no-go, and it's easy to expose in an interview.
- Using a US or UK layout. No table, no dates column, no CEFR levels. It reads as a CV written for a different market.
- Exporting a flashy graphic. Hohenheim warns against exporting the CV as a graphic, and LMU asks for a text-based PDF, which also helps with applicant tracking systems.
- Skipping the language levels. Simple Germany's guide says that if you're still learning German, your language section should say so honestly.
- Typos. TU Ilmenau notes German employers take spelling and grammar mistakes very seriously, in any language.
- Mismatching the cover letter. Use the same language and visual style as your CV. LMU also advises keeping the CV's design consistent with the cover letter. Our cover letter guide includes a Germany row.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send an English CV in Germany?
Yes, in the right situations: the job ad is in English, the company says English is welcome, or your German is limited. Otherwise deutschland.de and Make it in Germany say German is usually expected, so ask if the ad doesn't say.
Should I translate my CV into German?
Only if your German is strong enough to stand behind it. Hohenheim lists a German CV without adequate proficiency as a no-go, and deutschland.de suggests an English CV in the German layout if your German is limited. If you do translate, have a native speaker proofread it.
Do I need a photo on an English CV for Germany?
It's optional but still common in German applications. LMU's tips for international applications say to leave it out. Follow the convention of the employer's country, and see our photo guide for size and style.
How do I show my German level?
Use CEFR levels, from A1 to C2, for each language, for example German: B1 and English: C1. Make it in Germany, Hohenheim, TU Ilmenau and Princeton all use this scale.
How long should a German CV in English be?
One to two pages. LMU and Hohenheim give one to two, and Hohenheim says to go beyond two only with substantial experience or for academic roles.
Do I need to translate my certificates?
Make it in Germany recommends translating certificates into German or English so the company can understand them.
Should my cover letter be in English too?
Our suggestion is to match the CV: if the CV is in English, send the cover letter in English, and ask the employer if the ad doesn't say. deutschland.de adds that you can mention specialist knowledge and extra languages in the cover letter.
Your next step
Check the job ad's language and ask the recruiter if it's unclear. Then copy the template, keep the German structure, add your CEFR levels honestly and export a plain text PDF.
Keep going
Your next steps
Sources
- deutschland.de: The perfect German resume
- deutschland.de: How to apply for a job in Germany
- Make it in Germany: Applying for a job
- Make it in Germany: Applying to a German IT company
- University of Hohenheim Career Center: CV checklist and structure
- LMU Munich Career Service: Application tips for students
- TU Ilmenau: CV checklist (2025)
- Princeton German Department: How to write a German CV
- IHK Pfalz: Tipps zum Lebenslauf
- Simple Germany: German CV in English (commercial CV-template site)
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