CV Page length

If you’ve been in the industry for a decade or more, you have a lot to say. But when you’re staring at a four-page draft, you might wonder: “Am I leaving out something crucial, or am I just providing noise?”

No More Than Two Pages

In Germany, the “Gold Standard” is one to two pages. In our experience most recruiters prefer a single page for entry-level positions and allow up to two pages for more experienced applicants. Even for veterans with 15+ years of experience, a four-page CV is often viewed as a lack of the ability to prioritize information. Most recruiters spend very little time on the first pass; if your most recent and relevant achievements are buried on page three, they simply wouldn’t be seen anyway.

What To Focus On For Experienced Devs

Expand on your last 5–7 years of work, as these involve the most relevant tech stacks. For roles older than a decade, a single line with the job title and company is often enough. You should leave out outdated technologies that you no longer want to work with. If you have 15+ years of experience, focus on distilling your “greatest hits” rather than a chronological log of every ticket you’ve ever closed.

What About Testimonials

In Germany, “testimonies” or referential quotes from former coworkers or bosses are generally not included in the CV itself. Instead, the German market relies on Arbeitszeugnisse (formal employment references). Adding random quotes can look like you’re trying too hard to “sell,” which can sometimes backfire in a culture that values factual proof over marketing.

That being said - I personally always included “testimonies” and still got callbacks.

CV Checklist

The university of Hohenheim also created a checklist for what you should consider when creating a CV in Germany that you can find.

What You Should Do Next

If your CV is currently not concise enough, it might be the time to show these HR people that you are able to prioritze.

If you are struggling with that, feel free to send us your CV and you’ll get a free CV review.