Cover Letter in English

On this page, we will give you some tips to keep in mind when writing your English-language cover letter compared to a German-language application.

Back to: Application in English

The motivation to work for the respective employer is important, but should not be longer than one sentence. On the other hand, the focus is on the own person and personal skills.
The first paragraph always mentions the length and location of the employment/internship. Since many larger companies are decentralized, stating 'what', 'where', 'how long' and 'which department' is important.
It is important in English cover letters to use very active language. There are many lists of these so-called 'action verbs' that should be used in English cover letters. The Office of Public Interest and Advising at Harvard Law School has published a list of action ver bs.
The term 'attachments' is not used in English cover letters.
At the end of the cover letter - after the request for an interview - it is important to thank the person reading for their time and attention. Usually this is expressed more directly than in German applications.

1. letterhead (header also possible): Own personal details such as name, address, telephone number and e-mail.

2. letterhead: address of the employer, with the contact person in first place, followed by the name of the company (written out in full)

3. date: the peculiarities of the British and American spelling should be taken into account here.

4. subject: job title and reference number (highlighted), if applicable.

5. body:

Personal salutation: "Dear Mr./Ms. X"
The text should be divided into short paragraphs and build on each other in terms of content:
- If there are no clear guidelines, the desired duration, entry period, and location are given first
- Details of academic training (write out the name of the university and indicate the type of degree)
- Work experience
Soft skills and other qualifications such as language skills, computer skills
Closing formula: Request for an interview and greeting ('Best regards').

6th signature: Put name under the scanned signature

A personal form of address is better in any case and appears more professional. If there is no clear contact person, you should try to find out who they are by e-mail or telephone. This is also a good way to start a conversation and make a good first impression.
E-mail and telephone number should not be missing on a cover letter.
When applying for or from abroad, it is important to include the country code, e.g. +49 for Germany.
The date on the cover letter should be current.
The name of the employer (e.g. the company) must be written out.
If the course of study is rather unknown and the title is not clear, the course of study should be described briefly.
Soft skills should not simply be listed, but described in context. It is helpful at this point to cite examples that demonstrate independence, for example.
Applications to work abroad also ask for an interview, even if it is clear that a personal interview cannot take place. Telephone or Skype interviews are usually used as an alternative.