CV for skilled trades (Handwerk) from abroad
Germany needs skilled tradespeople: electrical, plumbing and heating, metal, construction, vehicles. Employers want to see quickly what you can do in practice, which systems you have worked with and how your qualification compares to the German one. Here is how to show this in your CV.
1. State your qualification correctly
German employers often do not know foreign qualifications. So state your qualification with the country and length of training and, if you have it, the result of recognition.
Use the title Meister only if you passed the German master craftsman exam. Even with recognised equivalence you do not receive a German certificate.
2. Projects and scale instead of general duties
“Electrical installation” is in every CV. What convinces is the type of site, the scale and the systems:
- Sites: residential, commercial, industrial, renovation, service
- Scale: for example number of flats, system output, team size
- Technology: for example solar panels, heat pumps, charging stations, PLC, welding processes
- Responsibility: for example independent installation, handover, leading helpers
Only what you really did. Any exaggeration shows immediately during trial work.
3. Certificates, standards, licences
- Welding certificates with standard and process (for example DIN EN ISO 9606-1, MAG 135)
- Standards you have applied (for example VDE rules in electrical work)
- Forklift, platform or crane licences, if you have them
- Driving licence categories: often decisive for installation and field service
4. German
Many employers in the trades expect at least B1 to start; a higher level helps with customers and documentation. State the CEFR level and certificate, for example “Deutsch B1 (telc), Fachsprachkurs läuft”.
5. Recognition in the trades (in short)
- In most trades you can work as an employee without recognition. A recognition notice still helps: the employer knows exactly what your level is. For a work visa it is usually required.
- The responsible body is usually the chamber of crafts (Handwerkskammer, HWK) in the region where you want to work; for some industrial professions IHK FOSA.
- Result: full, partial or no equivalence. With partial equivalence you can close the gaps with further training (Anpassungsqualifizierung), often while working.
- If documents are missing, the chamber can assess your skills in practice (Qualifikationsanalyse).
- You can only open your own business in a licensed trade with master level or equivalent recognition.
Costs, documents and grants are described on the official portal anerkennung-in-deutschland.de; you can also get advice directly at your Handwerkskammer. A general overview is in our recognition guide. This page is not legal advice.
6. Checklist for your CV
- Qualification with country, length of training and a short explanation
- Projects with type of site, scale and technology
- Certificates with standard and year
- Driving licence categories
- German titles only if you are entitled to them
Describe your experience in your language.
cvfix turns this into a German CV with clear projects and the right line about your qualification, and invents nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need recognition to work in the trades in Germany?
As an employee in most trades it is not required, but a recognition notice makes your qualification understandable to employers. For a work visa it is usually needed, and to run your own business in a licensed trade you need master level or equivalent recognition.
Who recognises trade qualifications?
Usually the chamber of crafts (Handwerkskammer) in the region where you live or want to work; for some industrial professions IHK FOSA. The result is full, partial or no equivalence with a German profession.
Can I call myself Meister after recognition?
No. Only people who passed the German master craftsman exam may use the title Meister. Recognition confirms equivalence but you do not receive a German certificate. In your CV, state your qualification and which German profession it was recognised as equivalent to.
What does partial equivalence mean?
The chamber found substantial differences to German training and described in the notice what is missing. After further training (Anpassungsqualifizierung) you can apply for full equivalence. You can usually already work with partial equivalence.
Can cvfix create a CV from a description in English?
Yes. You describe your work in your language, cvfix turns it into a German CV. Titles, certificates and projects are not invented, and German job titles are only used if you are really entitled to them.
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