Lebensläufe

Lebensläufe are documents that present the life course and qualifications of a person for professional or academic purposes. In German-speaking contexts, the term Lebenslauf refers to a curriculum vitae or résumé, and Lebensläufe is the plural form. They are used primarily in job applications, internships, admissions, and visa procedures, to provide a concise overview of education, work experience, and relevant skills.

There are two main formats for Lebensläufe. The tabellarischer Lebenslauf presents information in reverse chronological order with dates and concise entries for each position or qualification. The freier Lebenslauf offers more narrative flexibility and may emphasize achievements or relevant projects. Both formats aim for clarity and readability, and are often tailored to the specific position.

Typical content and structure include:

- Personal data (name, contact information; date of birth is common in some regions)

- Bildung und Qualifikationen (education and final degrees)

- Berufserfahrung (professional experience, with dates, positions, and employers)

- Zusatzqualifikationen und Fähigkeiten (certifications, professional skills)

- Sprachen und EDV-Kenntnisse (languages and IT skills)

- Freiwilliges Engagement, Publikationen, Auslandserfahrungen (volunteering, publications, international experiences)

- Referenzen (references) or available upon request

Regional and sectoral differences influence conventions. In Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, a photo is historically common, though increasingly discouraged by privacy considerations. Length is typically one to two pages. With digital application processes, CVs are often submitted as PDFs and should include keywords aligned with the job description to improve machine and human readability. Overall, Lebensläufe should be accurate, concise, and free of gaps or irrelevant details, presenting a coherent life course aligned with the applicant’s goals.