Guide
A cover letter without empty phrases
Four paragraphs, real examples, one page. And why "I am a team player" convinces nobody.
In your cover letter you tell the company why you want to do exactly this apprenticeship at exactly this company. It is the part of the dossier that reveals the most about you. That is why it is worth writing it yourself. You write it in German, because the company reads German.
The structure
One page is enough. Four short paragraphs almost always work:
- Opening: Which place you are applying for and how you came across it.
- The occupation: What excites you about it. Ideally with something you experienced during a taster placement.
- You: What you bring, with examples from school, free time or family.
- Ending: That you look forward to an interview.
At the top go your address, the company's address, place and date, and a subject line such as «Bewerbung als Elektroinstallateurin EFZ» (Application as an electrician EFZ).
Examples instead of claims
Everyone writes that they are reliable, motivated and a team player. Companies read that a hundred times. What sticks are examples.
Before
"I am very reliable and like working in a team."
After
"For three years I have been coaching the youngest children at the gym club every Wednesday. When I cannot make it, I organise a replacement myself."
Before
"The occupation interests me a lot."
After
"During my taster placement I was allowed to help Mr Meier connect a kitchen. In the evening the light came on, and I knew: I helped make that happen."
Tip: For every sentence, ask yourself: could someone else write this too? If yes, make it more personal.
Speak to the company
Show that you are not writing to just anyone. One sentence is enough:
- You did a taster placement there, and what did you like?
- The company does something special, for example solar systems or vegan food?
- Someone in your family told you about it?
If you know the contact person, address them by name: «Sehr geehrte Frau Beispiel» (Dear Ms Beispiel). Otherwise «Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren» (Dear Sir or Madam) is fine.
Can someone help me?
Yes. Ask someone to read the letter and look for mistakes and unclear parts. But write it yourself. If it sounds like it was written by an adult, the company will notice in the interview at the latest.
Writing programs with artificial intelligence can also find mistakes. But a whole letter from an AI usually sounds smooth and interchangeable, and companies notice that quickly.
Check before sending
- Are the company's name and address correct?
- Is the name of another company still anywhere in it?
- Is the occupation in the subject line correct?
- Have you read everything out loud once more?
- Is it one page at most?