Austrian applications follow a formal, document-heavy convention that differs from Anglo-Saxon CVs in several practical ways. This guide explains the Austrian Lebenslauf format and how to complete the printable template on this page.
How resumes are formatted in Austria
The document is called a Lebenslauf, traditionally written in German and structured as a reverse-chronological table with precise dates (month and year). Expectations for personal information are the opposite of US or Canadian practice: a photo is customary (a formal Bewerbungsfoto, not a casual snapshot), and the personal-details table usually carries date and place of birth, nationality, marital status and address. One to two pages is normal; longer signals that you have not edited.
Language matters: write in German for German-language advertisements, and expect an Anschreiben (cover letter) as a separate document. Note that Austrian German uses ss where German orthography uses ß — "Straße" becomes "Strasse" — so run a spell-check with the Austrian locale. Traditional employers still expect the Lebenslauf signed and dated at the bottom; the template includes a signature block for that reason. Diplomas and Zeugnisse (employment reference certificates) are attached to the application, not pasted into the CV, and you list referees only with their consent.
Sections to include, in order
- Personal details — photo, full name, address, phone, email, date and place of birth, nationality, marital status.
- Work experience — reverse chronological with exact month/year ranges; name the employer, location, and your concrete duties and results.
- Education — school and university entries with years; Austrian applicants often list the Matura and any Lehre (apprenticeship) explicitly.
- Military or civil service — include it if applicable; a service period is an expected part of the chronology for many Austrian employers.
- Skills and languages — software skills and language levels; state German level precisely, since the ad's language implies a required standard.
- Signature and date — signed at the end, following the table format.
What gets an Austrian CV rejected (ATS + recruiter)
- A missing photo or an informal one — while not legally required, a Lebenslauf without a proper portrait still reads as incomplete to many traditional firms.
- Unexplained gaps — Austrian recruiters expect a gapless chronology; any break longer than a couple of months needs a short explanation.
- Vague dates — "2019–2021" without months makes it impossible to check the sequence; write MM.JJJJ.
- Wrong language or dialect mix — a German ad answered in English, or inconsistent ß/ss spelling, suggests carelessness.
- Anglo-Saxon layout habits — no photo, no personal details and a "references on request" line alone will look stripped-down rather than modern.
- Missing signature — traditional HR departments still notice its absence.
Free Austria CV template: how to use ours
The template mirrors the expected structure: a photo frame and personal-details table on the left, experience and education in reverse-chronological order on the right, plus military service, skills, languages and a signature block. Replace each [placeholder] — drop a professional headshot into the photo frame, set exact month/year dates, and fill the nationality field with your current citizenship (this is where work-authorization questions start). Use the Print / Save as PDF button to export on A4 — the page size is already set — and save as Vorname_Nachname_Lebenslauf.pdf. An editable variant of the same layout is available in the resume builder.
Frequently asked questions
Must my Austrian CV include a photo?
It is customary rather than legally required — employers may not demand one, but applications without one are still viewed as incomplete by much of the traditional private sector. Use a formal headshot with neutral background; if the employer is an international firm that advertises in English, omitting it is generally safe.
Do I have to write my Lebenslauf in German?
For German-language job ads, yes — send a German CV even if your interview will be in English. Only fully international employers advertising in English accept an English CV by default. When in doubt, mirror the language of the advertisement itself.
How should I handle employment gaps in Austria?
State every month of the chronology and add a one-line note for any break — further education, care leave, job search, or relocation. A gapless Lebenslauf with an honest annotation is normal; a silent gap is what triggers follow-up questions or rejection.
Is a cover letter expected?
Yes. The Anschreiben is a separate one-page letter that motivates why you want this role at this company; attach your photo Lebenslauf, certificates and references after it. Even when an ad does not mention it, sending one is the safer convention.