CV and application in Austria: how to use our kit
If you apply in Austria, you can use the kit of CV (Lebenslauf), cover letter (Bewerbungsschreiben) and cover page (Deckblatt) largely as it is. This page shows what the Austrian authorities say about the CV, what the kit already has, and what to check yourself. The individual entries are explained in build a tabular German CV.
Methodhelm editorial teamLast updated: 2 min read
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What is the same in Austria
- Length: the AMS (Austria's public employment service) names one to at most two A4 pages. The kit has one-page layouts.
- Languages: language skills are given with the European levels A1 to C2. The kit uses these levels.
- Optional details: nationality, date of birth, place of birth, marital status and children may be added but do not have to be (oesterreich.gv.at). The photo is optional too.
- Date and signature: according to oesterreich.gv.at, date and signature belong in the application. According to the AMS, they are not needed in the CV if they are already in the cover letter. The kit has room for them.
Photo: optional
According to the AMS, an employer cannot demand a photo under the Equal Treatment Act (Gleichbehandlungsgesetz). A photo is still common in Austria, and the AMS recommends a professional, recent one. Every layout in the kit comes with and without a photo, so you can choose.
What to check yourself
- The job advert: read what the employer asks for and follow it.
- Terms: the cover letter is often called a Bewerbungsschreiben in Austria. Individual words and customs can differ by field. We only repeat here what the authorities write.
- Details that do not belong in a CV: the AMS names religion, political or union membership, health and sexual orientation. Leave them out.
- Everything must be true: the CV has to be truthful.
Adapt the kit in five steps
The German CV template kit has a Lebenslauf, cover letter and cover page in two layouts, in German and in English. How the documents belong together for Germany is in how to write a German CV from abroad. Official information: AMS: Lebenslauf (German) and oesterreich.gv.at: Lebenslauf.
- Choose the layout
Choose the layout. Take the one with or without a photo, as you prefer.
- Keep it to one or two pages
Keep it to one or two pages. Shorten older entries if it runs longer.
- Write languages as A1 to C2
Write languages as A1 to C2. For example "English: C1".
- Add date and signature
Add date and signature. In the CV or in the cover letter.
- Put everything into one PDF
Put everything into one PDF. Open the whole file once before you send it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to put a photo on my CV in Austria?
No. A photo is common but not required. The kit comes with and without a photo.
How long can the CV be?
The AMS names one to at most two A4 pages.
Which details are optional?
Nationality, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, children and the photo are optional (oesterreich.gv.at).
Does the German template also fit Austria?
The authorities' advice is similar. Still check the job advert and the AMS and oesterreich.gv.at pages before you send it.
Related guides
How to write a German CV (Lebenslauf) if you apply from abroadA German application is usually one PDF: cover letter, tabular CV and certificates. See what to check before you send it.
Build a tabular German CV (Lebenslauf) step by stepA tabular German CV has the dates on the left and the details on the right, most recent first. Here is what goes in and the order to build it.
Get the German CV kit
A Lebenslauf, cover letter and cover page in two layouts, in German and in English, ready to edit. See what is inside before you decide.