Your CV gets rejected in 30 seconds. Or you get the job.
The 15 points German recruiters check first. So you stop guessing why no answer came back.
No reply. A template rejection. And nobody tells you why.
That decision is exactly what I made thousands of times on the other side. I’m Nick, 7+ years in HR teams from corporate to start-up in Germany, more than 1,000 interviews conducted. A CV gets only a few seconds on first read. What gets checked in that time is no secret, it’s just that nobody tells you. This PDF changes that: you see your CV through a German recruiter’s eyes.
See for yourself!
I regularly share career and hiring insights on TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
What’s inside the CV check
15 checkpoints from real screening practice
No textbook theory: these are the points I actually checked first on every CV as a recruiter in Germany, in the order they really get checked.
The most common mistake per point
For every checkpoint you see what most applicants get wrong, and where an application fails before a human has properly read it.
A self-check to tick off
At the end you go through your own CV point by point. Afterward you know exactly where you stand and what to fix first.
Prefer to talk directly?
The honest feedback companies won’t give you, in English. 30 minutes on a call, a clear read on your situation, one concrete next step. Free, Monday to Friday, 11:30 AM to 8 PM (CET).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really free?
Yes. The CV check is my way of letting you get to know my work. Afterward you'll occasionally get honest career tips by email, and you can unsubscribe with one click anytime.
Is the PDF in English?
The checklist PDF is currently in German, since it's built around German application conventions. If you're applying in Germany, that's exactly the perspective your CV will be screened with. My paid products for internationals are available in English.
What happens to my email address?
It goes into my list with a European, GDPR-compliant provider. No selling, no sharing, unsubscribe anytime via the link in every email.
Who is this check for?
For anyone applying for jobs in Germany now or soon. From first job to leadership roles, and especially for internationals: the checkpoints are the same for almost every application, but the conventions behind them are very German.
I'm a career changer. Does this apply to me?
Especially then. With a non-linear CV, the same checkpoints decide, just more strictly. The check shows you what recruiters look at hardest and what's in your control.
How do I get the PDF?
Enter your first name and email and briefly confirm your address. The check then lands straight in your inbox. If nothing arrives, check your spam folder.
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