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The Perfect Cover Letter

Your cover letter as the door-opener to the interview

The cover letter is your chance to show personality! While the CV lists your qualifications, the cover letter explains why you are the perfect choice for the position. A convincing cover letter can make all the difference.

Layout and Structure

1. Letterhead

Your contact details: Name, address, phone number, email (top left or right)

Recipient address: Company name, contact person (if known), full address

Date and place: Right-aligned or left-aligned below your details

2. Subject Line

Phrase it clearly and precisely. Examples:

  • "Application for Marketing Manager"
  • "Application for the position of Software Developer (Ref. No.: 12345)"

3. Salutation

Always personal: "Dear Ms. Smith," or "Dear Mr. Jones,"
If unknown: "Dear Sir or Madam," (only as a last resort)

4. Introduction (The Hook)

The first sentence decides! Avoid standard clichés like "I hereby apply for...".

❌ Bad:

"I hereby apply for the advertised position..."

✅ Better:

"I read your job advertisement with great interest. As an experienced Marketing Manager with a passion for digital strategies, I would like to strengthen your team."

5. Main Body (Your Arguments)

This is where you convince with concrete examples:

  • • Why you? Your relevant qualifications and experience
  • • Why this company? Show that you have done your research
  • • What can you offer? Concrete achievements and skills
  • • Your motivation: What excites you about the position?

6. Closing

Close confidently and politely:

"I would be glad to convince you of my abilities in a personal meeting. I look forward to an invitation to an interview."

Closing formula: "Kind regards" + your signature (handwritten for postal applications)

The Golden Rules

✅ DOs

  • A maximum of one A4 page
  • Tailor it individually to each position
  • Use active phrasing
  • Give concrete examples
  • Proofread several times (or have it proofread)
  • Use a professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)

❌ DON'Ts

  • Standard templates without customization
  • Repeating your CV
  • Spelling and grammar mistakes
  • Sentences that are too long (max. 2 lines)
  • Understatement or exaggeration
  • Negative phrasing

Useful Phrases

Introduction:

  • • "Your job advertisement immediately appealed to me because..."
  • • "I am applying with great enthusiasm for the position of..."
  • • "As a long-time user of your products, I would now like to..."

Main Body:

  • • "In my current position, I successfully managed to..."
  • • "Through my experience in X, I bring solid expertise in Y..."
  • • "What particularly appeals to me about this position is..."

Closing:

  • • "I would be glad to present my qualifications to you in person..."
  • • "I look forward to convincing you of my abilities..."
  • • "I am available at any time should you have any questions..."

Checklist Before Sending

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