How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to a Job in Germany

German employers expect a cover letter (Anschreiben) to be a response to a specific job, not a retelling of your CV. Your main task is to show why you, specifically, are a good fit for this position at this company. If you need to write a cover letter from scratch, you can use our online cover letter builder with ready-made example phrases.

Why a generic letter doesn't work

Phrases like "Ich bewerbe mich hiermit…" or "Ich bin teamfähig, zuverlässig und motiviert" don't give the employer any new information. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) advises avoiding such templates and explaining right away why this specific position and company interest you.

A better approach is to read the job listing, note down the key requirements, and show how your experience matches them. It's not enough to just name your qualities — give a concrete example of where you've already applied them.

Structure of a strong letter

A cover letter should be a maximum of one A4 page and follow a clear logic.

• Salutation: if you know the contact person's name, write "Sehr geehrte Frau Müller" or "Sehr geehrter Herr Schmidt." If not, use "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren."
• Introduction: state the position, where you found the listing, and briefly explain your motivation.
• Main part: connect 2–3 of the most important requirements from the listing to your experience, skills, and achievements.
• Closing: express your willingness to interview and, if relevant, mention a possible start date.

Example: instead of a generic phrase

Weak:

"Ich bin motiviert, teamfähig und habe gute Kenntnisse. Deshalb bewerbe ich mich bei Ihnen." (I am motivated, team-oriented, and have good knowledge. That's why I am applying to you.)

Stronger:

"Durch meine dreijährige Erfahrung in der Kundenbetreuung kenne ich die Anforderungen an eine strukturierte Kommunikation und eine sorgfältige Bearbeitung von Anfragen. Gerade Ihre Ausschreibung betont die enge Zusammenarbeit im Team sowie den Umgang mit internationalen Kundinnen und Kunden – Aufgaben, in denen ich meine Erfahrung gewinnbringend einbringen möchte." (Through my three years of experience in customer service, I understand the requirements for structured communication and careful handling of inquiries. Your job listing specifically emphasizes close teamwork and interaction with international customers — tasks where I would like to put my experience to good use.)

This version shows not just personal qualities, but concrete value for the employer. The German employment service recommends writing actively and concisely, and avoiding the conditional mood ("würde," "könnte") specifically in the main part of the letter, where you discuss your qualifications — instead of "I could," show what you already can do. In the closing polite formula ("Über eine Einladung würde ich mich sehr freuen"), the conditional mood is, on the other hand, entirely appropriate and standard.

What to research about the company

Before writing your letter, it's worth looking at the company's website, its services, values, and recent news. This will help you naturally explain why you want to work specifically there, not just get a job somewhere.

Useful questions to ask yourself:

• What are the main responsibilities listed in the job ad?
• Which skills are mentioned most often?
• What sets this company apart from other employers?
• Which of your experiences best matches these requirements?
• What value can you bring to the team in the first few months?

Common mistakes

• Sending the same letter for different job listings.
• Repeating information from your CV without further explanation.
• Using too many generic phrases about motivation.
• Not referencing the specific requirements of the listing.
• Errors in the job title, contact person's name, or company name.
• Writing too long a text: the ideal length is about one A4 page.

Quick checklist before sending

• The job title in your subject line matches the listing.
• The salutation is addressed to the right person.
• There's at least one concrete example from your experience.
• The letter responds to the job's requirements, not just your CV.
• The text fits on one page.
• The document has been checked for spelling and grammar.
• It ends with a polite request for an interview.

In Germany, it's not the longest cover letter that wins — it's the most precise one, where the employer immediately sees the match between their needs and your experience. You can create a letter like that — with structure and phrase suggestions for every section — in our online cover letter builder.

Frequently asked questions