CV review with the mentor at the coworking space
A real situation from the OGIMA community · Expat Life
The scene
The mentor drags a red line through three bullet points that seemed fine to you. You ask what a German hiring manager wants to see instead, and the conversation moves from syntax to structure.
Why this moment is tricky in Germany
CV conventions differ sharply by country. German Lebenslauf traditionally expected a photo, birthdate, and tabular chronological format; American resumes lead with accomplishment-driven bullets; British CVs sit between. In tech, EU conventions have drifted toward the American style, but hiring managers still look for specific Anglicisms and keyword density. Mentors at coworking spaces in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Lisbon specifically bridge the cultural gap for expats hunting their first tech role. The mentor red-lining your CV is the experience being bought.
Rehearse it before it happens
This situation is practised out loud in OGIMA: you speak, an AI conversation partner answers back, and you rerun it until the real thing feels routine.
Prefer to read first? Our guide covers this territory: How to Learn German for Nursing in Germany