What is a Lebenslauf and how is it different from a resume?

A Lebenslauf is the German word for CV, and it is usually a factual, tabular overview of your career rather than a marketing document. In practice it covers the same ground as an English resume (contact details, experience, education, skills), but the style differs in a few common ways.

Typical features of a German Lebenslauf:

• A clear timeline with month and year for every entry, most recent first.
• Short, factual bullet points rather than a long personal pitch.
• A section for languages and IT skills, often with a level for each.
• Optional personal details such as nationality, which many applicants still include and many now leave out.

It normally forms part of a wider application (Bewerbung) that can also include a cover letter (Anschreiben) and copies of certificates. If you already have a good English resume, you do not need to start again: tighten the dates, make the layout tidy and tabular, and adjust the language to the job advert.