How to Write a CV in Liechtenstein: Format & Resume Guide 2026
Liechtenstein is one of the world's smallest and wealthiest countries, with a highly specialised economy built on financial services, precision manufacturing, and dental technology. Despite its size of around 40,000 residents, Liechtenstein employs over 37,000 cross-border commuters daily, primarily from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Writing a Liechtenstein CV means following German-language Swiss and Austrian professional conventions, as the country shares HR practices with its neighbours.
The Liechtenstein CV Format
The standard document is called a Lebenslauf (CV or curriculum vitae), following the Germanic tradition. The typical format is two pages for experienced professionals, though a well-structured one-pager is increasingly accepted for younger applicants. The Lebenslauf is part of a Bewerbungsmappe (application portfolio) that also includes a Bewerbungsschreiben (cover letter) and certified copies of qualifications.
A professional photo is expected, following Swiss/Austrian convention rather than German convention (where photos were once standard but have become optional due to anti-discrimination legislation). In Liechtenstein, the photo remains common.
Language of the CV
Write in German. Business German in Liechtenstein uses standard High German (Hochdeutsch), not the local Liechtensteinisch dialect. For international financial services firms and multinational manufacturers, English CVs are increasingly accepted and sometimes preferred. If you are not a native German speaker, submitting an English CV to a multinational is safer than submitting a German CV with grammatical errors.
Photo Convention
A professional photo is expected and should be included in the top right corner of the Lebenslauf. Use a formal headshot with a neutral background, recent (within the past year), and taken by a professional photographer where possible. Business attire is required. This contrasts with Germany, where photos have become more optional, but aligns with Swiss practice.
Personal Information
Include: full name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, residential address, phone number, email, and optionally LinkedIn profile. Marital status and number of children are no longer standard in modern applications, though some traditional financial services employers still include them. Do not include your AHV number (Liechtenstein social security number) on a CV.
Education
Liechtenstein has a limited number of degree-granting institutions, so many professionals hold qualifications from Swiss, Austrian, and German universities:
- University of Liechtenstein (Universität Liechtenstein) in Vaduz — the only university in Liechtenstein, specialising in architecture, planning, and business; degrees are well-recognised across the DACH region
- HTW Chur (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft, Graubünden) — the nearest Swiss applied science university, frequently attended by Liechtenstein students
- University of St. Gallen (HSG, Universität St. Gallen) — the most prestigious business school in the German-speaking world, a strong signal for financial services roles in Vaduz
- Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (WU Wien) — Austria's largest business university, well-recognised across the DACH region
Swiss university grades use a 6-point scale (6.0 maximum, 4.0 passing); Austrian universities use a 5-point scale (1 sehr gut to 5 nicht genügend). German universities also use a 5-point scale inverted (1.0 excellent to 5.0 failing). Always specify the grading system used.
Work Experience
Reverse chronological order is standard. List employer, position (Berufsbezeichnung), dates, and a brief description of responsibilities. Key employers in Liechtenstein:
- LGT Group — the private bank owned by the Princely House of Liechtenstein, one of Europe's largest private banking groups and the most prestigious employer in the country
- VP Bank — listed private bank based in Vaduz, significant financial sector employer
- Hilti — the global construction fastening tools company headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein; one of the most recognised Liechtenstein corporate brands internationally
- Ivoclar Vivadent — the global dental technology company headquartered in Schaan, a major employer in precision manufacturing
- Balzers (part of OC Oerlikon Group) — surface treatment and thin-film technology manufacturer
Skills and Certifications
German proficiency is the baseline requirement. English is essential for financial services and international manufacturing roles. DACH region employers value structured professional certifications: for finance, CFA and ACCA are recognised; for wealth management, the CWMA (Certified Wealth Management Advisor, from the Swiss Finance Institute) and the IAM AFPWM certification are relevant in the Liechtenstein private banking context. For engineering and manufacturing, ISO-related quality certifications and specific technical qualifications (Techniker HF, Swiss EFZ/EFM vocational certifications) are valued.
Cover Letter
A Bewerbungsschreiben is required and read carefully. In the DACH tradition, the cover letter is highly formal: it begins with the city and date, uses formal Sie-form throughout, and follows a strict structure of opening, body (your motivation and qualifications), and closing. Generic AI-generated cover letters are quickly detected and dismissed. Keep it to one page.
Common CV Mistakes in Liechtenstein
- Omitting the photo: The photo is expected in the Liechtenstein/Swiss tradition and its absence marks the document as non-standard.
- Using informal German: Liechtenstein employers expect polished Hochdeutsch. Dialect expressions or informal phrasing is unprofessional.
- Not specifying the grading scale: Swiss, Austrian, and German scales are different. Always write the grade with the maximum (e.g. "5.4/6.0" for a Swiss grade).
- Submitting a CV without the Bewerbungsschreiben: A Lebenslauf submitted alone, without a cover letter, is considered incomplete in DACH hiring culture.
- Underselling the Lebenslauf: Liechtenstein employers are detail-oriented. List specific project outcomes, client categories (for finance), and measurable achievements rather than generic responsibility descriptions.