The cover letter
Some applicants have problems with this part of the application. You want to make a lasting impression without appearing pushy. At first glance, this doesn't seem so easy. To make the cover letter a little easier in future, we have a few tips and strategies for you.
Try to take on the role of a recruiter. You have little time to select the most suitable candidates based on the documents. You read the same boring phrases over and over again and the applications are otherwise rather unimaginative. Your chance to stand out from the crowd with concise sentence structure and a skilful choice of words. The most important thing is a suitable cover letter for therelevant job advertisement. Never use the same cover letter more than once!
If the job advert provides a specific contact person or you have been able to find one by telephone, address him or her directly in the application. You should only use the general formulation "Dear Sir or Madam..." if no contact person is known.
It is often given the least attention although it plays a decisive role in the cover letter. Recruiters often only have a few minutes to assess an application. Accordingly, the introduction should not be boring. Conventional sentences such as "I hereby apply..." come across as unimaginative. They are also superfluous, as it is already clear that you are applying for the relevant position by sending in the documents. Opening with personal information is more interesting and avoids trivialities that no HR manager has time for.
| Dont's | Do's |
|---|---|
| I am hereby applying for. I have read your job advertisement with great interest... | I intend to enter the marketing sector after completing my Master's degree in the summer. After several internships in large companies, I am looking for a change of perspective and would like to get to know a medium-sized company. |
This is more specifically about you as a person. In this section, you emphasise your social skills (your professional skills are already clear from your CV) and previous experience. However, it's all about class rather than quantity. Focus on the experience that matches the advertised position exactly. Make sure that you do not simply make claims such as "I am a team player, target-orientated and independent". Rather, it is important that you back up these claims with experience: Describe in which project / internship / part-time job you have already proven that you are a team player and can work in a goal-oriented and independent manner.
In the main section, you should also make it clear what added value you can offer the company. The same applies here: don't just make assertions, but formulate what experience or demonstrably acquired skills and qualifications you can offer the company in terms of added value. The relationship between your professional career and the advertised position should be made clear in this part of the application.
| Do's | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Describe your previous successes and experience sufficiently. Describe specific projects and the associated tasks in detail and, above all, in line with the job advertisement. | List the stages in your professional career to date. |
| Make a clear reference to the job offer. Argue from the company's point of view. | In your application, you only focus on yourself and neglect the company. |
| It is clear from your wording that the vacant position is a logical continuation of your career. | Your skills and qualifications are not appropriate to the company and the position! |
A polite conclusion rounds off a successful cover letter. Here you can thank them for their interest and, if requested, state your salary expectations. You can also state your earliest possible starting date here. A suitable closing formula (e.g. "I look forward to registering for the following semester"; no subjunctive mood) and your own signature conclude the cover letter.
No unimaginative phrases!
| Dont's | Do's |
|---|---|
| In addition to my commitment, I also count teamwork and flexibility among my strengths. | During my internship, my international colleagues and I prepared a workshop for our customer. I really enjoyed planning and organising this event together. |
Concrete reference to the company instead of flattery!
| Dont's | Do's |
|---|---|
| Your company has been able to establish itself as a market leader in recent years and is one of the top-selling companies in the automotive industry. | My internships at various automotive parts suppliers gave me an insight into the industry. Now I am interested in the entire process chain, in particular the management department of your company. |
Avoid nouns! Use an active language style with lots of verbs - it makes a more exciting impression!
| Dont's | Do's |
|---|---|
| In addition to customer support, my tasks include acquiring new customers, implementing a new quality management system and evaluating the individual development processes. | My tasks include acquiring new customers and supervising them. I am also responsible for introducing a new quality management system and evaluating the associated processes. |
Write your cover letter in German to emphasise your German skills!
You can find many useful suggestions on the Internet that could be helpful when creating an application. Lebenslauf.com or Lebenslauf.de also provides templates and samples for cover letters, which can give you an initial orientation. You can also find tamplates in MS Word or Canva. TIP: The design of your CV and cover letter should match.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Perhaps one of our seminars or the monthly application portfolio check at Campus Cottbus or Campus Senftenberg will help you?