The cover letter – in addition to the résumé and the application photo – forms the bridge between us and the potential employer and rounds off the application. While the résumé still deals with the “hard facts”, the letter of motivation is used to give HR managers insight into your personality and the soft skills you have acquired.

The right wording, the right structure – at first glance, the perfect cover letter looks like an insurmountable hurdle. But with the right tips and tricks, you can overcome this hurdle.

However, before you get started, there are a few basic thoughts you should think about your skills as well as your career goal. The following questions will help you.

  • Why are you the perfect candidate for this position?
  • Why would you like to start this job with exactly this employer?
  • What passion motivates you at work?
  • What are your strengths that you can use in exactly this position?

These four simple questions show you where you are right now and where you want to go.

Tipps und Tricks für das perfekte Anschreiben

As soon as you have clarified your motivation concerning the position and the potential employer, it is time to take the pen in hand and formulate the perfect cover letter.

So in the introduction, you should promote yourself, while in the main part you should go into more detail about your soft skills. Give the HR manager an insight into your personality – because you can already read the mere facts from your résumé. With the help of the cover letter you want to be remembered – after all, you want to get the HR manager to consider you for the position you are aiming for.

These 6 rules will help you to write a perfect cover letter

A strong entry

Convince in the first sentence and make specific reference to your potential new employer. That means: Write to the HR manager directly and justify your application with a good argument.

Quality

Now specify what you promise in the first sentence. What sets you apart from other applicants? Go explicitly on your unique selling points and substantiate them with good examples.

Grammar

Avoid passive constructions, complicated nested sentences, and subjunctive forms. Much better: I will … ” and” I have … acquired “. This gives you a confident and motivated impression.

Structure

Pay attention to the literary tripartism in the cover letter: Introduction, main part, final part. A clear breakdown and a clear structure ensure that HR professionals will enjoy reading your cover letter.

14 Cover Letter Templates to Perfect Your Next Job Application

Individual cover letters

Take the time and formulate a separate cover letter for each application, which is individually tailored to the advertised position and the company. HR managers recognize simple copying exercises!

Authenticity

Don’t use superlatives – stay authentic. If you can get the HR manager to believe you (and your motivation/passion), you are already a good step further.

Congratulations – your CV was convincing! Now it is important to prepare ideally for the interview. We have put together a guide for you to do this.