In Austria, employers expect a clear, reverse-chronological A4 tabellarischer Lebenslauf (or an A4 English CV when a multinational or technology vacancy in Vienna is advertised in English). Austrian HR teams pay close attention to exact MM.yyyy timelines, formal educational pathways (HTL, HAK, Lehre, Fachhochschule, university degrees), statutory academic titles, and consistency between your Lebenslauf and your attached employer reference letters (Dienstzeugnisse).
| Element | Austrian convention | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Chronology & dates | Reverse-chronological order with MM.yyyy month-and-year dates | Start and end months match every attached Dienstzeugnis and diploma |
| Academic & vocational titles | Exact awarded title (e.g., DI/Dipl.-Ing., Mag., BSc, MSc, Ing., HTL/HAK) | Never translate a foreign degree into a protected Austrian statutory title |
| Attachments (Anlagen) | Lebenslauf, Bewerbungsschreiben, Dienstzeugnisse, and degree certificates | Upload in the portal's designated slots with clean, selectable A4 PDFs |
Organise your A4 Lebenslauf with exact MM.yyyy dates and clear sections
Format your Lebenslauf on one to two ISO A4 pages (210 × 297 mm) using a single-column or clean tabular structure: Contact Details (Persönliche Daten), optional brief Profile (Kurzprofil), Work Experience (Berufserfahrung), Education and Training (Ausbildung), Languages (Sprachkenntnisse), and Technical/IT Skills (EDV- / Fachkenntnisse).
Write start and end dates in consistent MM.yyyy format (03.2022 – laufend or 03.2022 – 08.2025) and verify that every employment period matches the dates printed on your Austrian Dienstzeugnisse.
Present Austrian academic titles, HTL/HAK credentials, and CEFR languages accurately
Academic and vocational titles still carry formal recognition in Austria. If you hold an awarded degree or Austrian engineering designation—such as BSc, MSc, Mag., DI / Dipl.-Ing., BA, MA, or Ing.—write it in its exact official form without inventing equivalences for foreign credentials.
For technical and commercial roles, naming an Austrian higher vocational school (HTL or HAK), apprenticeship certificate (Lehrabschlussprüfung), or Matura alongside your university studies gives local hiring managers immediate context. Record German, English, and Central/Eastern European languages using objective CEFR levels (B2, C1, C2, or Muttersprache).
Check Collective Bargaining (KV) salary notes and portal attachments
Job adverts in Austria (for example on karriere.at, derStandard.at/Karriere, Personio, or SAP SuccessFactors) legally display a minimum salary under the applicable collective bargaining agreement (Kollektivvertrag or KV) with a note on overpayment (Bereitschaft zur Überzahlung). Keep salary expectations in your cover letter (Bewerbungsschreiben) or portal form field when requested rather than inside your Lebenslauf, and run your exported A4 PDF through the browser PDF text check before uploading.