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[bacardiandlime]

I am putting in an application for a position in Germany, and it asks for references to be attached (it's an online application, so I would need to upload them). Are references not normally confidential?

I recall a comment on these boards about candidates (from somewhere in continental Europe) getting a stack of LORs from their recommenders and just including them with the application package, and this not going over big in English-speaking countries where letters are supposed to be confidential. But it suggests that applicants having access to the letters is perhaps not seen as odd in some places.

The only previous occasions I've had to enclose LORs with an application, they've been in envelopes/signed across the seal. Could someone familiar with German academic protocols fill me in?

(should I send a photo?! It's not asked for, but I've heard German friends say it is standard...)

[puffin]

It's common in Germany to give someone a letter of reference directly that they can put in their files.

It's especially typical after you finish a degree or you leave your job. You never have to bug them again for a letter, unless there's good reason, and you're covered if your prof/employer dies in the meantime.

If you don't wish to ask your referees for open letters, you can always ask them to send the letters directly to the university to which you're applying, to the attention of your file. Just make sure you've applied beforehand, so that can be done.

Of course, you could also ask them to each send a reference in a sealed envelope, signed across the opening, and then send the bunch with your application.

Send a photo. It's typical to place the photo with your name on a single sheet of paper on top of the application. Typical information in a German application also includes your D.O.B. and marital status.

[bashir001]

I am putting in an application for a position in Germany, and it asks for references to be attached (it's an online application, so I would need to upload them). Are references not normally confidential?

I recall a comment on these boards about candidates (from somewhere in continental Europe) getting a stack of LORs from their recommenders and just including them with the application package, and this not going over big in English-speaking countries where letters are supposed to be confidential. But it suggests that applicants having access to the letters is perhaps not seen as odd in some places.

The only previous occasions I've had to enclose LORs with an application, they've been in envelopes/signed across the seal. Could someone familiar with German academic protocols fill me in?

(should I send a photo?! It's not asked for, but I've heard German friends say it is standard...)

What kind of position is it? For tenured professorships (W2 and W3), usually nobody asks for LORs, although people write contact information of their references in the CV. What counts is your publication list and your network. You should be at least an accomplished Asst. Prof. (US) or Lecturer (UK) when applying for senior professorships in Germany.

And yes, a professional photo and date of birth are provided in such an application.

[bacardiandlime]

Thanks for the info. It's a junior position. And the application is electronic, there is no space for a photo, so I wasn't sure if it's something I should email. It requests letters of recommendation be uploaded.

[bashir001]

Thanks for the info. It's a junior position. And the application is electronic, there is no space for a photo, so I wasn't sure if it's something I should email. It requests letters of recommendation be uploaded.

OK, in this case, you want to make sure, whether the position comes with "tenure-track" or not. 90% or so of all Junior Professorships don't have it. If they mention "tenure-track" in the ad, then you have to be careful what they really mean. The photo can be included on page 1 of the CV or on a separate cover sheet.

[thisisme]

I am putting in an application for a position in Germany, and it asks for references to be attached

What is the exact wording? Having LORs attached would be unusual, as you suggest. Open LORs are very uncommon in Germany (I disagree with puffin, may be due to field, though). Asking for references (but not "letters") usually means to put the contact info of your references (LOR writers). They will be contacted directly then.
If they ask you to upload the letters, you can still ask your LOR writers to send the letters directly. Even if not requested "closed" letters will still be more valid. Maybe it's a confusing English version of an ad. If there is any secretary you can call to clarify, do so.

Yet, LORs won't mean very much as the U will get their own outside "reviewers" anyhow. So don't worry about the whole LOR thing too much. The importance is not comparable with US applications.

If you send your CV as pdf, you may (but don't have to) include a photo on the first page of that. It is OK and common to include a photo in a German application, but it is not a must.

Even if it's not TT, if the university likes you, they may be able to convert a non-TT position into a tenured position after some years.

[puffin]

Open LORs are very uncommon in Germany.

Zeugnis. That's what I meant. We seem to mean the same thing.

Yet, LORs won't mean very much as the U will get their own outside "reviewers" anyhow. So don't worry about the whole LOR thing too much. The importance is not comparable with US applications.

Indeed. It seems to vary from university to university whether they request them. It's a newer trend you see sometimes. In this case, they clearly have.

Good luck, B&L!

[sunny_side_up]

Letters of recommendation per se are rather uncommon in Germany, but whenever someone leaves employment (or a school) they get an "Arbeitszeugnis". This document serves to prove the employment and gives an assessment of your work. It is not a recommendation for a specific job. In academia, letters of recommendation are becoming more common, but usually you only give the contact information for the references. They may or may not be contacted. I suspect, if they are asking for LOR to be attached they mean the "Arbeitszeugnis". I wouldn't worry about it. Any decent school would be familiar enough with different international application formats to consider you.

German applications usually include a photograph, DOB and family status.