- an opening that tells why and for which position you are applying
- a body section selling the candidate and why they are a good match for the job
- a closing that requests interview and motivates action from the employer
Welcome to the Career Service International!
Are you interested in an international career and have never or rarely written an application in English?
Here you will find all the important tips you should consider when applying in English!*
*Since your English should be at least B2, better C1 for the international job market, all further information is directly in English. This will get you thinking in English straight away!
Overview:
Job Applications: Writing Resumes
General Tips for English Applications
A resume is a document used by job seekers to summarize their skills, abilities, and accomplishments.
When writing a resume (US) or a CV (UK/Australia) in English, it is crucial not to simply translate your German "Lebenslauf." Cultural differences, company practices, and even legal requirements mean that an English resume differs significantly from a German one. Here are the top 12 tips for creating an effective English resume:
Highlight Your Name
Make sure your name stands out—not the word "Resume" or "CV." In fact, omit the word "Resume" entirely from your application. The largest text on the page should be your name. When your file is open on a computer, your name should be the most prominent element.Create a Unique Design
Find a unique design that suits your style, and stay consistent throughout your documents. Ensure that both your resume (CV) and cover letter follow a similar design to maintain a professional and cohesive appearance.Keep It Concise if You’re Early in Your Career
If you’re just starting your career and are under 30, limit your resume to one page. A two-page resume is only acceptable in exceptional cases. Avoid using 1.5 pages, as it is not considered aesthetically pleasing. Make sure the white spaces are distributed evenly. A two-page resume at this stage might appear “arrogant” to some. For design inspiration, consider using free tools like Canva.Use Active Verbs to Describe Your Experiences
The most important section of an English resume is the description of your past jobs and experiences. Use active verbs to describe the tasks and responsibilities you had in previous positions, studies, and organizations. Don’t simply list your job titles—make sure the reader understands what you actually did. Use at least three active verbs for each role to create a more engaging and detailed description.Leave Out Unnecessary Personal Information
Avoid including the following:Photo
Date and place of birth
Family details (e.g., marital status, children, or parental information)
Educational history prior to high school
Hobbies unless they are directly relevant to the job
Today's date
Signature
Simplify and Clarify Your Content
Make your resume as easy to understand as possible. Consider adding an Objective or Summary at the top:Objective: A statement about your employment goals and what you aim to achieve with the company you’re applying to.
Summary: A quick recap of your skills and experiences that highlight your value to the job (1-2 sentences).
In the US, it’s strongly recommended to include either an Objective or Summary. In Europe, it's useful if you are applying for a job that hasn’t been publicly listed.
7.Ensure your resume is easy to navigate by adding hyperlinks to key information:
Your LinkedIn profile (yes, even as a student, you should have one!)
The institutions where you’ve studied and worked.
Tailor your resume to the job by incorporating keywords from the job description. Use the specific terms mentioned in the application, but also include relevant synonyms to show your versatility.
8. Tailor your resume to the job by incorporating key keywords from the job description. Use the exact terms mentioned in the application, but also include relevant synonyms to further demonstrate your qualifications.
9. Don’t forget to include important, even obvious, details (for example, your proficiency in German) or use the exact terms they may require, especially if your resume is being scanned by automated systems.
10.
Include country codes for phone numbers (e.g., +49) and specify the country, not just the city.
11.
Find the appropriate translation or explanation for your educational qualifications so that international readers can easily understand them. Be sure to include the term "Abitur" when describing your secondary school diploma. You can use online resources to help with the translation.
https://www.bildungsserver.de/glossar.html also see: https://www.karriereakademie.de/deutscher-schulabschluss-im-englischen-lebenslauf
12.
Choose the format that works best for you: chronological, functional, or a combination of both. In most cases, the chronological format is the best choice. The functional format should only be used in exceptional circumstances, such as when multiple jobs had similar tasks. The chronological format lists your most recent experience first and works backward in time.
Sources:
Comparison Chart: German applications vs American / English / Australian applications
German Lebenslauf | American Resumes / English CVs / Australia | |
Focus on | Nouns of job titles | Verbs describing job responsibilities and achievements.Use different verbs for each description! |
Date of/Place ofbirth | Always include | Never include |
Photograph | Always include professional (business attire) photo | Never include for US/UK/Australia – but it is possible to add if applying in English to other European countries. (Check what the normal practice is in the country you are applying to. If it is an American company, leave it OUT!) (In USA a picture can mean you don’t get an interview!) |
Page numbers | Flexible 1-2 or even 3 | Keep it to 1 page if you are a student or recent graduate, unless it really need to be 2, but then use 2 – not 1 ½. |
Information about Education | Include schools education starting in 5th grade | Limit to higher education. Only include apprenticeship job training (Ausbildung) and university. (For England and the rest of Europe include Abitur information) |
Keywords | Titles and Company names | Verbs and concrete results |
Top of Page | LEBENSLAUF | YOUR NAME |
Layout | Often needs to follow a certain standard – keep it authentic to your personality and the job. | Is allowed to be creative, also keep it authentic to your personality. |
Dates | Use numbers for months | Use words for months- often abbreviated |
Dated and Signed | Yes! | No! |
Date on the Cover letterONLY | Day then month then year 12. März 2021 | Month then day then year March 12, 2021 |
Order of information | Often position then institution | Always institution/company then position – Biggest thing is company – then position – then responsibilities |
Page format | A4 | (US only) Standard letter size – wider and shorter than A4 |
Applications include | Many pages of certificates, references, letters of recommendation, documentation about experience | Only cover letter and resume/cv– if they want more, they will ask for it |
Main Focus | Organizations you have been with (school/work) and responsibilities (WHAT) | HOW you as the applicant performed – specific skills using verbs. |
Important | LÜCKENLOS (no gaps) | It is ok to have gaps, just prepare the resume well so they aren’t as noticeable. |
Bullet Points | Start with Capital letters – (nouns are capitalized) | Start with capital letters (is seen as the beginning of the sentence) |
Photo included?
Country | Should you include a photo on your CV? |
United Kingdom | No |
United States | No |
Canada | No |
Australia | No |
Germany | Yes |
Spain | Yes |
Italy | No |
Netherlands | No |
Switzerland | Yes |
Ireland | No |
Belgium | Yes |
Austria | Yes |
Sweden | Yes |
Denmark | Yes |
Norway | Yes |
Iceland | No |
Russia | Optional |
Finland | Yes |
Poland | Yes |
Cyprus | Yes |
Malta | Yes |
Greece | Yes |
Ukraine | Yes |
Japan | Yes |
China | Yes |
Portugal | Yes |
Saudi Arabia | Yes |
New Zealand | No |
United Arab Emirates | Yes |
Africa | Yes |
Middle East | Yes |
Job Applications: Writing Cover Letters
Tips Writing Cover Letters for CVs/Resumes:
1.
Know who you are writing to, do your homework.
2.
Make sure your format matches the resume format.
3.
Make sure that your phone number includes the country code(+49) and that you write the date in the common American & GB format (May 12, 2021)
4.
Choose either British or American English: Organised (GB) Organized (USA) Colour (GB) Color (USA).
5.
A cover letter should contain 3 parts:
6.
After the line with the salutation, start the first sentence with a CAPITAL LETTER.
- Dear Mr. Smith,
- The position of…
7.
Show interest in their company or something that they are doing.
8.
Show how your background will benefit the company.
9.
Describe your strong points in relation to their needs.
10.
Choose your strongest qualification and show how they fit the targeted job. (In other words, not I have done x,y, and z… but: Experience in x,y, and z, have taught me the skills required for this position.)
11.
Students with little experience can stress how their courses have taught them practical applications of what they have learned.
12.
You can also include your personal traits; say how you acquired them, and how you would apply them. (After working in a home for the elderly for a social year, I acquired the patience needed to be a comforting technical support person for customers over 60 at Apple.)
13.
Refer them to your resume for more information on something specific.