A better job and better salary. These are the two things you can expect from a job change and the key is your application. Only if your application sums up your skills, experience and competencies will you convince recruiters and the department to invite you for an interview. Your application must be one thing above all else – individual!
Why nothing is worse than a standard job application
Despite the materials and information we have put together here, it is important that your application is individual. Personnel managers have to deal with good and not so good application documents on a daily basis. In large companies, the HR department often pre-selects applicants based on the skills profile required by the department.
For this reason, your application must stand out among all the applicants – visually and in terms of content! This applies not only to your application in general – but to every application to a job advertisement. Many applicants only write a general cover letter and a general CV and only change the job title for the different job offers. This is good for you! Because these applicants then also wonder why you were invited to the interview and not them.
Sounds like a lot of work! Are such individual application documents worthwhile??
Definitely! Because your chances increase enormously if your application is exactly tailored to the position. At the very least, you should tailor your cover letter to the position you are applying for and make it clear what experience and qualifications you have in relation to this particular position. This is already the first key to success, because the recruiter can already see in your cover letter whether you are serious and want the job or not!
We also recommend that you add a little extra polish to your resume for each individual application. The reason is simple, even the resume gives you the opportunity to completely tailor your qualifications and skills to the job offer. Sometimes it helps to rename one or the other qualification – staff love the familiar, so make sure you speak the same "language". So that’s how you should go about it:
- Take the job advertisement and mark the most important requirements and competencies.
- Include words and requirements from the job posting specifically in your cover letter and resume – recruiters learn by repetition that you are the best applicant&
- Give your documents a certain spice and use a nice, simple design.
What makes a good application? The necessary application documents at a glance.
Almost always applications are for a job, apprenticeship, internship or sometimes even for a place at university. The content is also mostly the same, complete application documents include the cover sheet, letter of application, a CV with photo as well as school reports and work references.
Overview of application documents: cover sheet, cover letter, resume, appendix
The cover sheet
The cover page offers a first insight into your person and lists your contact details. In today’s world of digital applications, a cover sheet is no longer needed. In the past, the cover sheet only served to create a visually appealing introduction to the application portfolio. Most companies nowadays prefer an online application or email application via their respective portals. In the case of digital applications, a cover letter, CV, certificates and supporting documents are sufficient.
However, this is highly industry and company dependent. Especially in smaller companies, without their own IT systems, the good old application folder is exactly what you need. Whereas in graphic& creative professions, such as graphic designers, resume and cover letter are also becoming less and less important. In these professions, people like to apply by means of a video application or a job application. a portfolio in the context of an Internet presence.
The cover letter
The cover letter is one of the most important components of your application. At the same time, the cover letter is the first page of your application. It is therefore the first opportunity to explain why you as an applicant are a perfect match for the advertised position. So it’s a justification why you should get the job. The cover letter should usually fit on one DIN A4 page.
This is especially difficult if you are already an "old hand" with many years of professional experience. Here applies what we have already written, focus and get to the point! Your letter should only contain the qualifications and skills that are relevant to the job. Focus on the job description and requirements and explain why you are the right person for the job. How to avoid rejection. (More information about the application DIN 5008)
The curriculum vitae
Also called Curriculum Vitae (CV), the second and most important way to explain why you are the perfect candidate is your resume.
Resume for a job application
In addition to your biographical data, your CV should also include your educational and professional background:
Contact information and your application photo
In contrast to the English Resume or CV, the German CV does not actually contain any motivational sentences and is therefore often referred to as a tabular CV. However, we find that a short, concise motivational sentence is refreshing and can certainly set your resume apart from the competition. In total, the CV should not exceed two to three DIN A4 pages. For young professionals, one DIN A4 page is usually sufficient.
Your application photo
The application photo is not a mandatory part of an application. However, the use of a photo has become established and for this reason alone, your application should also contain an application photo. Apart from that, the application photo is the ideal platform for self-presentation. The rule of thumb here is – show yourself from your best side& your photo should express your openness to new things and your friendliness. What a good application photo costs you can find here: Application photo costs
The Third Page or Letter of Motivation
The motivation letter follows the cover letter and the resume and is therefore formally called the third page, although third bullet point would be the better name. The letter of motivation contains a short profile of the applicant as well as the motivation for the job. It offers the possibility to emphasize the perfect suitability once again. Some critics recommend to omit the third page completely, because only redundant contents are represented, which are already in the curriculum vitae and cover letter.
Our tipAdd a short, snappy motivational sentence to your CV and kill two birds with one stone. We show you how this can look like.
The appendix
Not all qualifications and competences have to be documented in your application. Often proofs are only requested later. The most important documents you should send directly with your application are your diplomas (school and apprenticeship) and your certificates. Studies), work references, and certificates and training attendance confirmations relevant to the position.
With these tips and tricks, nothing should stand in the way of your job interview. You should prepare well for the interview Self-presentation and appropriate questions are only two key points. (More information: Self-presentation example, interview queries)