How to Get a Job in Germany: Bewerbung, Resume, and Interview

To get a job in Germany, it is not enough to simply send a resume. An employer usually evaluates the entire Bewerbung: Lebenslauf, cover letter, diplomas, references, and how well the candidate understands the position. Good preparation starts before the interview: first, you need to assemble your documents in a way that gets you invited.

What a Bewerbung is

A Bewerbung is the package of documents used to apply for a vacancy. Its purpose is simple: to show the employer that you have relevant experience, motivation, and a basic understanding of the role.

A typical Bewerbung includes:

a Lebenslauf or CV, meaning a resume with experience, education, and skills;
an Anschreiben, meaning a cover letter, if the company asks for one or if it is appropriate for the position;
diplomas, certificates, and proof of qualifications;
Arbeitszeugnisse, meaning references or recommendation letters from previous employers, if you have them;
a portfolio, GitHub, LinkedIn/Xing profile, or work samples, if they matter for the profession.

Not every employer requires the full package. In IT, startups, and international companies, a CV and profile may sometimes be enough, while in German mid-sized companies, education, office roles, and regulated professions, documents are often reviewed in more detail.

Step 1. Understand who the employer is looking for

Before applying, read the vacancy carefully. It helps to write down three groups of requirements:

mandatory: language, education, work permit, specific software, or professional experience;
preferred: additional skills, industry background, certificates;
hidden: independence, client work, attention to detail, willingness to work shifts, team communication.

Then adapt your resume and letter to the specific position. In Germany, clarity is valued: it is better to show 5-7 strong matches with the vacancy than to send one long universal text.

Step 2. Prepare your Lebenslauf

The Lebenslauf is the central part of a Bewerbung. The employer quickly checks whether the candidate fits in terms of experience, skills, and the logic of the career path.

A resume usually includes:

your name, city of residence, and contact details;
a professional profile or a short 3-4 line summary;
work experience in reverse chronological order;
education and relevant courses;
languages with proficiency levels;
professional skills, software, and tools;
volunteering, projects, or social activities if they relate to the role.

How to make your resume stronger

Start each experience description with the result, not only the duties.
Use words from the vacancy if they honestly describe your experience.
Remove irrelevant details that do not help the employer make a decision.
Check dates, company names, and keep one consistent formatting style.
Do not overload the resume with long paragraphs: short bullet points and a clear structure work better.

If you have little German experience, you can highlight transferable skills: client work, project work, languages, training, process responsibility, or experience in another country.

Step 3. Write an Anschreiben if needed

An Anschreiben is not a retelling of your resume. Its purpose is to explain why you are applying for this specific role and how you can be useful to the employer.

A good cover letter usually answers three questions:

Why are you interested in this company and role?
Which 2-3 experiences or skills make you a suitable candidate?
What can you do for the team once you start working?

The letter should keep a professional tone, address the company directly, and end neatly. If you need a detailed breakdown of the structure, see the article about cover letters.

Step 4. Gather supporting documents

In Germany, employers often like documentary proof. Prepare in advance:

diplomas and their supplements;
course certificates, if they are relevant;
Arbeitszeugnisse or references;
proof of internships, traineeships, or projects;
translations of documents if the employer asks for a German version.

Do not send everything you have. It is better to attach the documents that directly help evaluate your qualifications for the specific vacancy.

Step 5. Prepare for the interview

Once you receive an invitation, the preparation changes: now you need not only to look suitable on paper, but also to speak convincingly about your experience.

Before the interview, study:

the company website, product, services, and clients;
the vacancy requirements and the key tasks of the role;
company news, if it helps you understand the context;
team profiles on LinkedIn/Xing, if they are open and relevant;
employee reviews, but without blindly trusting individual comments.

Social networks such as Instagram or Facebook may give some sense of the company’s style, but for professional preparation it is better to rely on the employer’s website, the vacancy, LinkedIn/Xing, and the company’s official pages.

How to answer common questions

During an interview, they often assess not only experience, but also your logic, language, motivation, and ability to work in a team.

Prepare short answers to questions such as:

Tell us about yourself.
Why do you want to work with us?
Why are you suitable for this position?
What are your strengths?
What challenges did you face in your previous job?
Why are you changing jobs or looking for your first job in Germany?
When can you start?

It is best to structure the answer to “tell us about yourself” professionally: your current role or education, key experience, 1-2 strong skills, and the connection to the vacancy. Personal details should be included only where they are genuinely relevant.

What to ask the employer

An interview is not a one-sided exam. You also need to understand whether the job suits you.

You can ask:

which tasks will be the main focus in the first months;
how the team is structured and who the position reports to;
which tools and processes are used;
what the probation period looks like;
whether there is training or onboarding;
what the next steps are after the interview.

Questions about salary, vacation, and schedule are normal, but it is better to ask them at the right moment: often after the employer has shown initial interest or at the stage of discussing terms.

Common mistakes candidates make

Sending the same Bewerbung to every vacancy.
Writing a long Anschreiben with no connection to the specific role.
Hiding gaps in the resume instead of explaining them calmly.
Listing skills that cannot be backed up with an example.
Not preparing answers in German or English if the interview will be in one of those languages.
Talking only about what the candidate needs and almost nothing about the value for the employer.
Not checking contact details, attachments, and file names before sending.

Mini checklist before sending a Bewerbung

The resume is adapted to the vacancy.
The letter includes a specific reason for applying.
The documents have clear names and open without errors.
The contact details are current.
The language of the letter matches the vacancy.
The resume has no contradictions in dates.
The most important skills are visible in the first half of the document.

FAQ

Is a cover letter mandatory in Germany?

Not always. If the vacancy explicitly asks for an Anschreiben, it is worth attaching one. If a letter is not required, but you have a non-standard path, a relocation, a career change, or strong motivation for a specific company, a short letter can help.

Do I need a photo in my resume?

A photo is still common in German resumes, but it should not be the main argument. If you add one, use a professional and neutral option. If you are unsure, look at the industry and the vacancy requirements.

In which language should I send a Bewerbung?

Usually in the language of the vacancy. If the posting is in German, it is better to send the documents in German. If the company is international and the vacancy is in English, the English version may be more appropriate.

What if I do not have work experience in Germany?

Show relevant experience from another country, projects, studies, internships, languages, and skills that can transfer to the new position. The important thing is to explain to the employer why that experience is useful specifically for this vacancy.