How to Write an Austrian CV

The Austrian CV, or Lebenslauf, shares most of its conventions with Germany -- both use the tabular reverse-chronological format. However, Austria retains distinctive vocabulary (Matura instead of Abitur, HTL, HAK, Lehre), a stronger photo tradition, and more conservative personal data expectations.

Whether you're applying through AMS (the Austrian labour market service), karriere.at, or StepStone AT, getting the format right is essential. Austrian employers value completeness, clarity, and professional presentation.

Austrian CVs run 1-3 pages, with 2 being typical. This is slightly more flexible than Germany. Use A4 format and submit as a single PDF (ideally merging cover letter, CV, and certificates). Name the file with your surname first: Nachname_Vorname_CV.pdf. Including the target role in the filename (e.g., Nachname_Vorname_Projektmanager.pdf) is a good practice for competitive roles.

The layout is a Tabellarischer Lebenslauf -- tabular, reverse-chronological, with dates on the left and details on the right. Use professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica) at 10-12pt. One accent colour is acceptable, especially in creative fields.

Dates follow the MM.YYYY -- MM.YYYY format (periods, not slashes). Always use reverse-chronological order with the most recent experience first. A short Anschreiben (cover letter) should accompany your CV -- this is standard in Austria and expected by most employers.

• Persoenliche Daten: Full name (include academic titles -- Mag., Dr., DI, BSc/MSc are used prominently in Austria), address, phone, email. Date of birth and nationality are standard.
• Berufserfahrung (Work Experience): Reverse chronological with company, role, dates, and achievement-oriented bullets.
• Ausbildung (Education): Use Austrian terminology -- Matura (not Abitur), AHS, BHS, HTL, HAK, Lehre. Include institution name, dates, and qualification.
• Prasenzdienst / Zivildienst: If applicable, include military service (Prasenzdienst) or civil service (Zivildienst). This is mandatory for Austrian male citizens and commonly listed on CVs, usually in the education/training section with dates.
• Kenntnisse (Skills): IT skills, methodologies, and relevant tools.
• Sprachen (Languages): With CEFR levels (A1-C2).
• Ehrenamt (Volunteer Work): Well-regarded in Austria -- include if relevant.
• Zeugnisse (Certificates): Austrian employers often expect degree certificates, Arbeitszeugnisse (employer references), and relevant training certificates either attached to your application or available on request. Mention their availability in your CV or cover letter.
• Ort, Datum, Unterschrift: Place, date, and signature -- a traditional convention still widely practised, typically via scanned handwritten or digital signature.

Photos are still standard in Austria -- more entrenched than the current German trend toward photo-less CVs. AMS and major Austrian job portals still feature CV templates with photo placeholders. Use a professional studio photo (4.5 x 6 cm) with a neutral background. This is the safer default for Austrian companies.

Academic titles matter in Austria. Mag., Dr., DI, and similar titles are used in everyday business communication and should appear on your CV. Omitting them can seem odd in a culture that values formal education credentials.

Familienstand (marital status) is a genuine grey area. The Austrian government portal (oesterreich.gv.at) lists it as optional voluntary information, and some current guidance advises against including it. In practice, it still appears on many Austrian CVs, particularly in traditional industries. Consider it industry-dependent rather than a default inclusion.

Never include religion, health status, or similar protected information. Note: you may encounter older Austrian CV templates that include fields for religion or parents' occupations -- these are outdated practices and should be ignored.