What’s coming up here is really important. So, feel free to use this text as a checklist. It’s about what you need to consider when handing in your files and records. All in all, there are four ground rules that you need to take to heart for any application you're drafting. In Germany, it’s important to come straight to the point. You don’t want to waste anybody’s time. 

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Before you click “Send”? Reflect, and adopt their perspective

Therefore, no matter what the occasion of your application is: always adopt the perspective of who you're addressing and applying with. When you want to land a job in Germany you must know why (!) want to work for them (!) and what exactly (!) it is that they're doing. That also means that if it’s a job you really like and they’re asking for a cover letter you must address them individually in your cover letter and your email. Dear Mrs Schmidt, comma, enter, and off you go. By the way, just sending out emails without any texts is unprofessional. 

In Germany, every application contains your CV, your cover letter (if required) and your scanned certificates - all nicely merged together in one PDF file, for example through ilovepdf.com with a professional title such as Application_FirstnameLastname.pdf or Bewerbung_FirstnameLastname. Attach the file to the email you're sending out with a professional headline and a friendly personalized greeting asking for consideration of your application and wishing kind regards.

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In your resume you want to be a problem-solver

Second, every organization is working on solving a problem! A startup will work on increasing sales, a multinational on extending the reach of their brand. Whatever it is, their challenge is your starting point. Your job is to help them get better. And you can only do that by becoming their problem-solver. So, make sure you prove to them that by signing you they're going to get their problem solved. You don’t do that by just listing a bunch of spongy statements about yourself. No! You do that by demonstrating how you helped others tackle similar challenges and how you're intending to go about it for them. 

What is important here is that you focus on what matters for this particular role. Nobody is interested in your first internship in a bakery (unless you apply as a baker). Never itemize all details of your work history. The same applies to your cover letter. Only mention what is relevant for the job or program at hand.

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Is there a one-size-fits-all?

There are people that invest a lot of time into sending out customized CVs for every single role they are applying for. The downside of this approach is that you’ll be spending a lot of time on those customizations - a lot of time that you may not have. We suggest finding a middle way instead. And that is crafting a CV that is clearly tailored to your professional focus and experience, for example your industry expertise in e-commerce. (Again, just an example).  Only if you have the time and really like a role should you invest in making final adjustments. At least, that’s how you can focus on sending out applications in the first place. However, make sure that it becomes clear why they should be choosing you and not somebody else. And for that, again rule number 3, you focus on key achievements and results from your previous jobs which matter for the role you're going for. Again, give them proof, not shallow assertions.

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Only deliver clean and professional work

Fourth, Germans are highly sensitive when it comes to grammar and spelling. Seriously, they will judge your character for it. The same apples to how you use bullet points, spaces in between words and commas. So, your job already begins with you handing in a clean and well-structured application. If they see you're not able to deliver clean work, they’re not going to select you - because somebody else did it better. So, no sloppy typos and no grammar mistakes, please. The same principle applies to your cover letter which should be slick and clean: Dear Mr Schmidt, then you hit enter twice, then come the following three paragraphs. The first one says: “I know what you’re looking for.” The second one says: “This is what I’ve accomplished and what I bring to the table.” And the third one says “I’d love to meet. Let’s talk”.

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Follow the German standard

So let’s now zoom in and focus on what this means for your CV and your job in Germany. Take note that CV standards vary from country to country. In any case, Germans use a standard A4 format with a margin of 2.5 cm and we advise against using more than one font or font size. 

In Germany, it’s uncommon to start out with a first or third person summary at the top. Also, have a professional email address: first name.lastname@gmail or outlook.com will be a safe bet. Don’t apply as “turtle99@hotmail.com”. If you're applying from abroad, your nationality, country of residence and international code must be easily detectable.

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The work experience section

Next, let’s take a look at the work experience section cause that’s where most mistakes are made. In Germany, you start with your latest job at the top and work your way down. Again, pay attention to grammar and spelling. But it also means format. When mentioning you worked for ABC Pharmaceuticals Ltd you need to add the corporate form to any other company you mention. When using a comma to separate a company from its location you need to apply the comma in the same context again. And don’t forget that it’s “word comma space new word” - not word space comma space new word. When using a long hyphen to create a bullet point, make sure it’s always the same length. When leaving a paragraph to create space in between jobs, leave the same space between every job. When using a line spacing of 1.5, don’t switch to another. 

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Your design - your rules

You get the picture. The principle behind CV drafting is: You decide which design rule you create. But once you do, you're bound by it and have to apply it throughout your entire document. By the way, in Germany it is still rather common to include a personal photograph of yourself. It’s not a must-have, but if you happen to have a professional one and you like the way you look in it (only then!), you can put it in. In any case, if you decide to do so, always take one made by a photographer. No selfies and no bad quality, please.

Which brings us to design. If you feel secure and confident about your content, you can pick it up a notch and get some layout inspiration to boost your brand. However, always keep in mind that your CV needs to mirror the addressee. For that, check their website and corporate design.

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Viel Erfolg and good luck!

Here are our final pieces of advice: To those of you who have just graduated: don’t be intimidated. We are sure you can also give proof that you contributed to something significant, the growth of a company by 30%, the support of a university project that led to a prototype, or the support to a publication of an online journal that reached 10,000 people. As a graduate you should never underestimate the value of your education or previous internships. Name your achievements and results confidently. Last, always have a friend or professional proof read your application and ask for feedback. And, second, always treat your dossier with the same respect as yourself and do not hand it in until or unless you're entirely convinced of your product.