Cover Letter

The CV is done but you don't really know how to start with the cover letter? Here's how to get started:

1. Study the company's website and the job advertisement thoroughly.
2. Think about how you want to structure your cover letter, an example can be found here.
3. Define the communication objective - what job do you want and what do you hope to achieve?
4. Develop messages - What do you offer the company? (qualities, experience, theoretical knowledge)
5. Put together arguments - Why are you the most suitable candidate?
6. Just start writing!

Every application requires an individual cover letter. The following tips will help you find the right wording.

• The application must fit the company! Look into the company like a detective and find out what they value and what they want.
• You have to show who you are. Write your application yourself and don't use ready-made sentences! It will be read out immediately.
• Start with a clearer motivation. What about the job advertisement interested you or the company? And if it's the accessibility by bike, you can use that.
• If you think the company is great, you should also write why, but please don't "suck up" like "You are the market leader in XY and I always wanted to work in an international company...".  The company already knows that!
• Be specific! The easiest way to do this is to always describe concrete examples with a few sentences (e.g. an interesting task in a project).
• Write actively and use active verbs ("...I conceived...", "...I optimised...", "...I constructed...").
• For the position, I bring with ..., ..., and ....
• Write about your future. How would I like to work, lead or be led.
• You should clarify what is important to you as an employee before you apply. What is an ideal working environment?
• You may write that the job should bring you joy, what that means and what it takes to achieve it.
• If you have confidence in yourself, others will have confidence in you! Don't sell yourself short. Even as a student or graduate, you often have many good skills, experience and knowledge.
• Use only one page for the cover letter.
• Always write only about your strengths.

On average, recruiters only take 2 minutes per application. The following stumbling blocks will quickly catapult you out of the running:

• Introductory phrases such as "I hereby apply for the position XY..." or "The position has aroused my interest, therefore I apply to you...".
• No repetition of the job advertisement, e.g. "You are looking for a specialist in the field XY...".
• No empty words e.g. ability to work in a team, strong communication skills: if yes, then say what that means. Can you sell well? Or can you write good emails, speeches, press articles? It's best if you describe this with an example.
• Sloppiness, such as spelling mistakes, is the most common reason for rejection. (The application is a first work sample).
• No arrogance, especially as a young professional, such as "I am sure that I can contribute to the success of your company with my strengths and skills." (Apart from the fact that this is a typical "empty phrase"). Rather, use examples to illustrate the benefits to the company of your strengths and competences.
• Avoid justifications: "I am suitable because I have already done this and that.  The company must judge why someone is suitable!
• Do not use empty phrases and empty words: "This is a new challenge for me.
• Do not use the subjunctive ("... I think I would..."). This comes across as very insecure.