The Cover Letter is often the first document that a potential employer reads. It offers the opportunity to make a positive first impression and arouse the employer's interest.
A Cover Letter is the first impression a potential employer gets of you. It gives you the opportunity to present your qualifications, motivation and personality in a convincing way. A well-written Cover Letter can make all the difference and pave the way to an interview. In this article, you will find out what is important when writing a successful cover letter, what content is particularly important and how you can avoid typical mistakes.
A Cover Letter, often referred to as a cover letter, is an important part of an application portfolio. It serves to give the potential employer a first impression of the applicant and to explain why they are interested in the advertised position and why they are the right candidate for it.
In a Cover Letter, the applicant presents their skills, experience and qualifications that are relevant to the advertised position. It is not just a matter of repeating the résumé, but of specifically explaining how your strengths match the company and the advertised position. A well-written Cover Letter is concise, individually tailored to the job in question and arouses the reader's interest so that they want to examine the application in detail.
The Cover Letter should be clearly structured and ideally fit on one page. It usually begins with a personal salutation, followed by an introductory sentence designed to arouse the employer's interest. In the main section, the applicant's relevant experience and qualifications are presented before the letter ends with a positive closing paragraph and a polite invitation to an interview.
| Aspect | Cover Letter | Letter of Motivation |
| Purpose | Introduction to the application, explanation of suitability for the position. | Detailed presentation of motivation and enthusiasm for a particular position, study or project. |
| Content focus | Brief introduction, qualifications, experience, reference to the position. | Personal motives, motivation, future goals and why exactly this position or this program. |
| Length | Usually 1 page. | Can be longer, usually 1-2 pages. |
| Target group | Employers, HR managers. | Employers, universities, foundations, organizations. |
| Structure | Formal: salutation, introduction, main body, conclusion. | Can be more flexible: personal tone, more focused on motivation. |
| Use | Part of a job application. | Mostly for special programs, scholarships, universities, projects or in addition to the application. |
| Focus | Presentation of suitability for the specific position. | In-depth presentation of motivation and personal motives. |
| Personalization | Strongly tailored to the advertised position. | More focused on your own goals and convictions, can be more universal. |
| Example | “I have five years of experience in marketing, which is ideally suited to the advertised position.” | “Marketing fascinates me because it bridges the gap between creativity and strategy.” |
A Cover Letter is an indispensable part of a successful application for several reasons. Overall, the Cover Letter is a central part of the application process that gives you the chance to stand out from other applicants and make a lasting impression.
In a Cover Letter, you should pay attention to certain linguistic features in order to appear professional, clear and convincing. These are some important points to bear in mind. These linguistic features will help you to write a cover letter that comes across as professional, clear and convincing without losing any of its authenticity.
| Tip | Explanation | Example |
| Choose a professional tone | Use formal but not stiff language. Avoid colloquial language, abbreviations (such as “e.g.”) or slang. | For example, instead of “I think the job is cool”, use “The advertised position particularly appeals to me because...”. |
| Use active instead of passive sentences | Active sentences appear more dynamic and show initiative. Active sentences emphasize your actions and successes directly. | Instead of “I led the campaign”, write “I led the campaign”. |
| Avoid unnecessary filler words | Avoid vague formulations such as “perhaps”, “possibly” or “somehow”. Be specific and precise in your statements. Instead of “some experience”, write “three years of experience”. | Instead of “I think I could be a good fit for the team”, write “I am convinced that I would be a good fit for the team”. |
| Emphasize your strengths | Focus on positive aspects of your experience and skills. Avoid emphasizing weaknesses or making excuses for any gaps in your résumé. | Instead of “Although I still have little experience, I would still like to apply”, write “I am motivated to expand my knowledge through this position and contribute to the success of the team with my willingness to learn.” |
| Focus on the added value for the company | Make sure that not every sentence starts with “I”. This quickly comes across as egocentric. The focus should be on how you can help the company, not just on what you want. | Instead of “I have experience in project management”, say “With my experience in project management, I help to implement projects efficiently and purposefully.” |
| Be yourself | Try to maintain an authentic voice that reflects your personality. Exaggerations or unnatural formulations quickly come across as untrustworthy. | Instead of “I am the perfect candidate”, a more authentic formulation could be “I am convinced that my skills are a good match for the requirements of this position.” |
| Don't use hackneyed phrases | Phrases like “I am hereby applying for...” are outdated and uninspiring. Instead, you can score points with an individual introduction that directly addresses the position. | Instead of “I read your job advertisement with great interest”, “The opportunity to work as [job title] at [company name] particularly appeals to me because...” might be more appropriate. |
| Correctness is a must | Pay attention to correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Mistakes leave an unprofessional impression. If in doubt, have another person proofread your letter or use professional spellcheckers. | |
| Back up your statements | Instead of remaining general, emphasize your statements with concrete examples from your professional experience. This makes your application more tangible. | Instead of “I am a team player”, say “In my previous job, I have successfully worked in various interdisciplinary teams and successfully implemented projects such as XYZ.” |
| Show confidence in your abilities | Be confident, but not arrogant. Show that you believe in your abilities without appearing arrogant. | Instead of “I am the best candidate for this job”, “My experience and skills make me a strong candidate for this position” might be more appropriate. |
A Cover Letter should be clearly structured and well-thought-out in terms of content in order to make a positive impression. The structure of a cover letter is divided into several key sections:
A structured and well-thought-out Cover Letter increases your chances of attracting positive attention and being invited to an interview.
By answering these questions specifically in your Cover Letter, you increase your chances of standing out positively and being invited for an interview.
The employer wants to understand why you have chosen this position and this company. Your motivation should be clear and convincing and show that you have done a lot of research into the position and the company.
It's important that you outline your technical and professional qualifications and how they fit the advertised position. Highlight your most relevant experience and explain how it will benefit you in the new role.
The employer wants to know what added value you can offer the company. Show how you can use your skills and experience to help the company achieve its goals.
Here, it is crucial that you explain what sets you apart from other applicants. Emphasize your particular strengths and qualities that make you unique and that are specifically beneficial for the advertised position.
In addition to your professional qualifications, it is important for the employer to know whether you fit in well with the existing team and the corporate culture. Your soft skills and personality play a key role here.
Employers often want to know whether your salary expectations and earliest possible starting date match the requirements of the position. You should state this information clearly and realistically if it is requested in the job advertisement.
A Cover Letter also shows your communication skills. The employer pays attention to whether your letter is clear, structured and error-free, as this allows conclusions to be drawn about your way of working and your ability to communicate in writing. How important this point is naturally also depends on the profession you are aiming for.
A modern Cover Letter is characterized by clarity, individuality and a targeted focus on the essential qualifications and motivations. It should not only present your qualifications and experience, but also show your personality and your fit with the company culture. Use clear language, concrete examples and, if possible, visual accents to make your letter stand out from the crowd. Here are some creative ideas on how to make your cover letter modern and appealing:
| Idea | Description | Example |
| Personalized introduction with storytelling | Start with a short, relevant anecdote or story that shows why you are perfect for the job. This immediately attracts attention and shows your personality. | “Even as a child, I was fascinated by technology and spent hours taking computers apart and putting them back together again. This passion eventually led me to a successful career in IT and I'm looking forward to bringing this enthusiasm to [job title] at [company name].” |
| Focus on digital skills and flexibility | Emphasize your digital skills and ability to work in a modern, flexible work environment, especially if the company values such skills. | “In my career so far, I have always focused on developing my digital skills. Whether it's using modern collaboration tools or designing digital campaigns, I'm always on the cutting edge and ready to integrate new technologies.” |
| Visual elements (for online applications) | If you are applying online and it fits the company, you can work with subtle visual elements, such as color accents, a stylized header or a minimalist infographic that summarizes your qualifications. | Use a simple but modern header with your name and contact details in a color that matches the company. A diagram could briefly visualize your most important skills. |
| Emphasize soft skills and team culture | In modern work environments, soft skills and team culture are often just as important as technical skills. Emphasize how you work in teams and contribute to the company culture. | “My passion for collaborative working and my ability to develop creative solutions in a team have helped me to be successful in agile projects. I look forward to bringing these skills to your dynamic team.” |
| Use numbers and results | Give concrete numbers and results to make your achievements more tangible. This shows that you can measure and prove your achievements. | “By optimizing our digital marketing strategy, I was able to increase the conversion rate by 30% and increase sales by 15% within a year. I would like to bring this analytical approach to [company name].” |
| Direct communication and clear language | Write in a direct, clear style without unnecessary empty phrases. This shows that you get to the point and respect your time and that of the reader. | “I am convinced that my five years of experience in project management, combined with my enthusiasm for innovative solutions, is exactly what your team needs.” |
| Emphasize continuing education and lifelong learning | Modern employers value employees who are continuously learning. Mention how you are continuing to develop in your field. | “To stay up to date, I regularly attend online courses and professional conferences. I recently completed a certification in [Relevant qualification], which I would now like to put to good use at [company name].” |
| Closing sentence with outlook | Instead of just hoping that you will be invited, offer an outlook on what you would like to achieve in the first few months in the new job. | “I'm looking forward to developing a customized marketing campaign to increase brand awareness and optimize targeting in the first quarter after I start.” |
There are a few important points to bear in mind when stating your salary expectations and possible starting date in a Cover Letter:
With these considerations in mind, you can state your salary expectations and possible starting date professionally and confidently in your Cover Letter.
This table summarizes the most important tips and can serve as a checklist to ensure that your Cover Letter covers all relevant points.
| Tip | Description |
| Individualization | Adapt each Cover Letter individually to the respective position and company. |
| Tell a story | Write down your motivation as a kind of life story that leads up to the job. This will make you memorable. |
| Concrete examples | Use concrete examples from your professional experience to demonstrate your qualifications and successes. |
| Clarity and structure | Make sure your structure is clear and concise. Use paragraphs to organize your thoughts logically. |
| Positive language | Use positive language that emphasizes your added value for the company. Avoid negative language. |
| Proofreading | Have your writing proofread to avoid typos and grammatical errors. |
| Self-confidence | Show self-confidence in your formulations without appearing arrogant. |
| No repetition | Avoid repeating the résumé or ad. Use the letter to provide additional information. |
| Salary expectations and starting date | State realistic salary expectations and a possible starting date if requested. Show flexibility. |
| Closing sentence with outlook | End your letter with a positive closing sentence that expresses your anticipation of an interview. |
| Authenticity | Stay authentic and let your personality flow into your letter. |
| Be careful when using an AI | If you use an AI, add a personal touch to your writing. Otherwise, you run the risk of sounding generic and boring. |
Start your Cover Letter with a personal salutation and an introductory sentence that directly shows your interest in the position and arouses the reader's interest. Make a brief reference to the advertised position and explain why you are applying for this position.
Friends, family, or professional application consultants can help you prepare your application. Online resources, career portals and job centers also offer support.
You can write your application at home on your computer and then print it out. Alternatively, you can also write and print in copy stores, libraries or internet cafés. Employment offices and job centers often offer the option of doing both.
In your application, you can highlight strengths such as the ability to work in a team, communication skills, problem-solving skills, reliability, willingness to learn or organizational skills. Make sure that the strengths mentioned match the advertised position and can be backed up by examples.
You can use programs such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice Writer to write your application.
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