Free CV check for Germany
Sam, an AI recruiter, reads your CV the way a hiring manager in Germany would. He checks it against the local rules below, scores it out of 100 and tells you what to fix first. He can also check your fit for a job post and write a cover letter in the Germany format.
Review my CVFree. No account. Your CV stays in your browser tab.
What employers in Germany expect from a CV
- Length
- 1-2 pages, tabular and reverse-chronological, with month/year dates (MM/YYYY).
- Personal details
- A photo is optional in Germany and employers can't require one; many international companies prefer none. Date and place of birth and nationality are common but optional. Marital status and children aren't needed. Never include religion.
- References
- Leave off "References available upon request". Employers assume it, and references go on a separate page when they ask.
- Spelling
- Use consistent British or American English, or German if the job post is in German.
- Location
- Give your location as city.
- Right to work
- If it helps your application, say it plainly, for example "EU citizen" or "Work permit / Blue Card holder".
- Also worth knowing
- Every gap of more than a few months is usually explained in one line. A signature and date at the end are traditional but optional.
Cover letters in Germany
- Opening
- In English "Dear Ms/Mr <surname>," if the post names a contact, otherwise "Dear Hiring Team,"; in German "Sehr geehrte Frau/Sehr geehrter Herr <Nachname>," or "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,".
- Closing
- "Kind regards," in English or "Mit freundlichen Grüßen" in German.
- Subject line
- Add one naming the role you're applying for.
What job posts in Germany often ask for
Sam checks your CV against requirements like these when a job post lists them: German language level (e.g. B2/C1), work permit or EU Blue Card eligibility, recognised degrees.
What Sam checks
- The 7-second skim: does the top of your CV read as the role you want?
- Relevance, impact, progression, clarity, credibility and local standards, scored out of 100
- ATS basics: standard headings, contact details in the body, dates, keywords
- The roles you fit now, with search links for LinkedIn, Indeed
- Certifications employers in your field ask for, from a checked list
- Interview questions your CV is likely to raise