Tips for the cover letter can be found on the Internet. The application portfolio is the applicant's calling card. Despite a lovingly designed portfolio, a rejection lands in the mailbox a few days later. On the one hand this is due to an incomplete portfolio, but mainly to the content of the cover letter.
Wording and layout of the cover letter
Before writing the letter, the applicant reads the job advertisement carefully: which position is being offered and what requirements does the employer expect? Based on this information, the applicant tailors the cover letter. There are tips on wording and layout of the cover letter available on relevant websites. Some suggestions for composing the cover letter:
- The letterhead contains the applicant's name and address as well as their telephone number — if available — and the email address.
- If a contact person is named for questions about the application, the applicant includes that person in the salutation directly in the address field. In the salutation he addresses the contact person by name.
- In the subject line he references the job advertisement.
That completes the correct layout of the first part of the letter. The cover letter should be typed on a computer. In business, HR staff do not value letters that contain clichés. It's better if the applicant highlights his skills effectively.
Make a good impression with a short cover letter
Time is money! This saying is especially true in the office. No one places much value on cover letters that run on for pages. With the large number of incoming applications, reading long letters is too time-consuming for HR staff. They want to see at a glance who is applying and what they can do. For the applicant, this circumstance is important when writing the cover letter. A short, concise cover letter that lists his education, professional experience and skills makes a good impression. Subjunctive forms, such as 'hätte' and 'würde', have no place in a cover letter. Self-praise is also out of place in the cover letter. A brief statement of motivation and why the applicant is applying to this company should be included. A few short words on how applicant and employer will benefit from each other form the conclusion. These tips for the cover letter are among the most important pieces of advice.
The cover letter in the application folder
The cover letter is the part of the application that ranks among the most relevant. The wording often determines the candidate's later career at the desired company. Only once the applicant is employed by the company can he influence his career. To get the job, a complete and clearly organized application folder is advantageous. This folder contains, in addition to the cover letter, the CV, a neat application photo and copies of certificates. Ideally the applicant prepares his know-how profile and places it in the folder after the cover letter. After three weeks the applicant can inquire whether the company has decided on a candidate.
