It is a well known fact that employers in Germany put a huge emphasis on the quality of written, formal job applications. Human resources managers across the country will tell you that you should regard your application as an opportunity for a potential employer to get a great first impression of you, not just a summary and list of all of your skills and qualifications, though of course, this aspect is still very important.
Practical Advice
The internet is wonderful source of information and guidance when it comes to putting together an effective job application. You can even hire a consultant to design and edit the information on your CV to make it as professionally appealing as possible. Though you can outsource this task, it is still important that you are well versed in all of the factors that German HR departments expect from applicants. If your CV or application form comes across as confusing, then it very unlikely that you will be selected for a future interview. Pay close attention to things such as layout, font, spacing and letter type, as well as the quality of paper that you get it printed on. You want your application to be as reader friendly as possible, as the more pleasing it is to the eye, the more highly you will be regarded by the person reading it.
Language
Since you are applying for a job in Germany, your application should ideally be written in German unless the job advert dictates otherwise. Make sure that you know enough German to do this yourself, both verbally and on the page, because if you are selected for a further interview, you are going to have to impress with your spoken word skills as well as with your writing skills.
Applying Via Email
With the rise in Internet usage in Germany and all over the world, sending applications via email has started to become the norm. However, it is important that you check this is the case for your chosen job, and then check what kind of format they prefer. In a lot of cases, word documents are required to be converted in to PDF files for ease of reading for the recipient. When you apply for a job via email, make sure to always attach a cover letter to make your application more professional than simply sending an unnamed attachment.
Applying By Mail
Tradition postal applications are also still a hugely popular method. For larger companies, you can usually send your CV and cover letter to the HR department, for an even more personal touch you can always call ahead to find out the name of the individual in charge. It is acceptable to send your CVs to larger companies like this without applying for a specific role, as they will then have your details on file. Any documents sent in the mail should be enclosed in a hard cover folder to avoid being damaged. It is also common practice for your folder to be sent back to you if your application is not successful.
Cover Letter
All applications need to be accompanied by a cover letter, and included in this cover letter should be which position you are applying for and exactly why you are interested in applying for the vacant position. It should also include the last job that you worked in and any necessary projects you completed that might be of use to the job you are applying for. The cover letter should be no longer than three to five paragraphs, and should certainly not take up more than one page of A4. There are plenty of templates that you find online that will help you to create a professional looking cover letter for your application.
