Trouble preparing your job application? Learn how to craft the perfect CV and cover letter
Looking for a new job can often be a challenge, especially when it comes to standing out from other applicants. A well-crafted CV and a compelling cover letter can play a crucial role in impressing potential employers. However, what is the best way to go about writing one? These tips should help you to land your dream job:
How to write a CV?
What should you include in a CV and what exactly is it? A CV gives your potential employer the opportunity to get a quick overview of your professional experience to date. In your CV, you can not only describe your practical work experience and where you have trained, you can also indicate what skills you have in certain areas and what certificates you hold.
A tabular CV is now considered standard. The main advantage of this is the clarity for potential employers. They can quickly get an idea of your skills and previous experience. The tabular CV is divided into different sections and the dates are on the left-hand side of the page (sample: MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY). To the right are the relevant sections from your career. You can use the sections according to this structure:
Structure of the CV:
- Personal details/contact
This section should contain your full name and contact details (e-mail, telephone number, etc.) You can also include a photo of yourself here. - Desired position
The title of the position you are applying for. - Work experience
Here you can list your previous roles. You can include not only the name of the company and your position, but also the tasks you fulfilled. - Educational background
In this section you can list your education, high school and university degrees. - Special skills
Here you can list language skills, knowledge of specific programmes (e.g. Microsoft Office) and other skills. - Certificates
In this section, you can include any certificates you have obtained (e.g. from further training courses).
You should also make sure that your CV is designed in an appealing and clear way. You should avoid bright colours and ornate fonts. The focus should be on the content.
Here you can see an example of a CV in German:
How to write a cover letter?
What is a cover or motivation letter? A convincing letter of motivation is your chance to make a personal impression and emphasise why you are the right person for the job. Structured in a similar way to a letter, you can convince your potential employer of your qualities and make it clear that you have researched the position and are motivated.
Start your cover letter with a professional salutation. You will often find the name of your contact person on the job title website. If you can't find this information, you can always use the general term "Dear Sir or Madam". You can then explain your motivation for applying. Focus on relevant skills and experience that qualify you for the position. Make sure your motivation letter is clearly structured and expresses your expertise and work ethic.
When writing a cover letter, it is particularly important that it is tailored to the position you are applying for. This ensures that your professional experience is relevant to the position and that the skills mentioned match the competences required by the company. To ensure that your motivation letter contains the desired keywords, it is best to first read the job description carefully and then add relevant skills and competences. Do you need help crafting the perfect CV and motivational letter? Then check out our website!
Further tips to make a good impression
When crafting your CV and cover letter, you should adhere to a clear structure that includes all the important content. You should also make sure that your CV is appealing and clearly laid out to attract the attention of the responsible person. Most documents are sent digitally. Make sure that your files are saved in PDF format, as other formats may cause problems when opening them. If you send the documents to the company by post or drop them off in person, make sure that you use an application folder or staple the documents together. In addition, the documents should not be dirty or creased under any circumstances. It is also very important that you avoid spelling and grammatical errors in your application. There are many sites on the internet where you can test this for free. Or ask a friend or acquaintance who can read everything again and give you tips.
By following these tips and carefully tailoring your CV and motivation letter, you can improve your chances of landing a job interview and subsequent job offer. Remember that it is important to stand out from other applicants and present your skills and qualifications effectively.
If you want to learn more about how to create a fitting CV & cover letter, then you should check out our Info Event Page to sign up for one of our upcoming free workshops on CV & Motivational letter writing.