Various documents are required for professional recognition application. For curriculum vitae, motivation letter, and letter of authorization, a specific structure is required that often raises questions. This article provides guidance in preparing these important documents.

The curriculum vitae

To be able to understand the professional development and qualifications of the applying professional, the recognition authority requests a curriculum vitae. The curriculum vitae must be created in tabular form and should be chronologically ordered – from the most recent to the oldest positions. There may be no gaps in the curriculum vitae. Each education and professional experience must be indicated with start and end date (at least month and year). All information contained in the curriculum vitae must be substantiated by suitable official evidence such as employment references, continuing education certificates, or certificates of practical activities.

The following information should be included:

• Personal data (name, date of birth, nationality, contact)
  
• School education with graduation dates
• University studies with field of study and degree
• Professional experience with precise job descriptions
• Further education and continuing education
• Language skills
• Other relevant qualifications or volunteer activities

The curriculum vitae must be provided at the end with place, date, and handwritten signature. The signature should match the signature in the passport.

Practical tips for creation

For creating a structured curriculum vitae, the CV generator of the Job Portal of the Freiburger Bund can be used. The CV generator helps create a professional curriculum vitae that meets the requirements of German recognition authorities and employers. The curriculum vitae should be updated regularly, especially when new professional experiences, continuing education courses, or language courses have been completed. A current version should always be available, as it is needed for various applications.

The motivation letter

In the motivation letter, professional goals, ambitions, and the reasons for the decision to come to Germany are presented. It should be explained why the chosen federal state or city was selected for professional activity. Previous achievements and relevant experiences can also be mentioned if they serve to justify motivation.

A good motivation letter should answer the following questions:

• Why does one want to work in Germany?
• What professional goals are being pursued?
• What motivates one to work in healthcare?
• What special qualifications or experiences are being brought?
• Why was this particular federal state or city chosen?

Tips for writing

The motivation letter should be brief and concise – generally no longer than one page. It should contain the essential information without being too detailed. Authenticity is more important than exaggeration. Especially an honest and well-structured letter is convincing. The language should be clear, polite, and error-free. It is recommended to have the motivation letter proofread by a person with good German language skills or to use digital tools to improve grammar and expression. The letter should contain a professional salutation and closing formula and be provided with place, date, and signature.

The letter of authorization

A letter of authorization is required when international healthcare professionals are still abroad at the time of application submission. The letter of authorization allows a person residing in Germany (e.g. relatives, friends, or acquaintances) to communicate with the recognition authority on behalf of the applicant and to receive documents.
The authorized person is responsible for submitting documents to the recognition authority, receiving documents from there, staying in contact with the office, and tracking the status of the procedure. This is particularly important because certain documents and information may only be transmitted by mail and cannot be sent by email.

Content of the letter of authorization

The letter of authorization should contain the following information:

• Personal data of the applicant (name, address, email address, phone number)
  
• Personal data of the authorized person (name, address, email address, phone number)
  
• Exact scope of authorization and powers

It is recommended to clearly define for which documents and matters the authorized person is responsible in the letter of authorization. The main goal – tracking the recognition application – should be clearly named. The letter of authorization can, for example, also include the authority to contact immigration offices in Germany to track the visa application.

Certification and translation

All documents submitted for the recognition application must be in certified form. Original documents should never be sent by mail, but exclusively certified copies. Certifications can be made in the home country at competent authorities or in Germany at notaries or municipalities. All foreign-language documents must be translated into German by publicly appointed or sworn translators. Translation can be done either in Germany or abroad by a translator recognized by the German embassy.

Important notes

All required documents should be prepared completely and correctly before the application is submitted. Incomplete submission leads to additional requests and significantly delays processing. A checklist can help verify completeness. All documents requiring a signature should be signed before submission. This applies to curriculum vitae, application form, letter of authorization, and if applicable motivation letter.