Cover letter

To effectively tailor your job application, begin by thoroughly reading the job posting to identify the required skills and tasks. Keep in mind that the job posting is a wish list, so don't hesitate to apply even if you don't meet all the requirements.

Additionally, researching the company by visiting their website or LinkedIn profile can help you further customize your application to their needs and values.

If you're interested in learning more about the position or the company, it can be beneficial to call and ask relevant questions. However, it's important to prepare your questions beforehand and only call if you have something valuable to inquire about.

• Employers typically spend just 2 minutes and 18 seconds reviewing an application, according to Ballisager's recruitment analysis in 2017. Therefore, it's crucial that your application is concise, easy to read, and focuses on the most important points. We recommend keeping it to a maximum of one page with ample spacing between paragraphs.
• Use clear, everyday language and prioritize effective communication. Avoid using slang or overused expressions, but don't be afraid to write in a natural tone. Keep sentences short and avoid academic language. 
• Be sure to proofread your application thoroughly and have someone else review it as well to catch any errors that you may have missed.
• When submitting your application and CV, it's best to send them as a PDF to maintain the desired formatting. Name the documents with "name_job title_company name" along with "application" or "CV".

How to Write a Winning Job Application: Tips and Examples

1. Focus on the Employer's Needs: When writing your application, focus on how you can meet the employer's needs. Don't just talk about what you want from the job, but emphasize what you can offer the company. Make sure everything you include in your application is relevant to the position or the industry. The employer should be able to visualize how you fit into the company and how your skills and experience can provide value to them.
2. Use a Strong Heading: Use a creative heading that immediately shows the employer what you can offer. Avoid generic titles like "Application for the position of project manager". Instead, use titles like "Experienced project manager with an eye for detail" or "Communicator with command of SoMe and grammar" that reflect your skills and relate to the position.
3. Start with a Motivated Introduction: Start your application with a few lines that describe your motivation for applying for the job. Focus on how you can meet the employer's needs, not how the job can benefit you. If you don't have much relevant experience, spend more time on your motivation.
4. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience: After introducing yourself, describe how your skills and experience can be used in the position. Use 3-5 examples to demonstrate how your skills match the position. Show the employer where you got your competencies from and how they can be put to use in the company.
5. End with a Personal Conclusion: In your conclusion, set up a conversation by writing what comes naturally to you. Avoid using overly polite phrases like "I hope to hear from you" as it may make you appear less confident in your own value. Instead, use phrases like "I look forward to hearing from you" or "I look forward to meeting you for an in-depth discussion about how my skills can be used in your company".

Remember to proofread your application thoroughly and send it as a PDF with a clear naming convention. By following these tips and examples, you can increase your chances of writing a winning job application.

When you write an unsolicited application, many of the same recommendations apply as when you respond to a job advertisement.

• Research is even more important when you write an unsolicited application, since you don't have a job advertisement to guide you. You have to find out the needs of the company yourself, which you can fulfill with your profile. 

• You must also investigate to whom the application should be sent. If necessary, call the employer and ask. The recipient must preferably have management responsibility or other opportunity to be able to make decisions about employment. 

• When you write the application, you should find something that you can offer the company. Remember, don't beg for a job; you apply because you have some resources to offer. You can possibly present good ideas regarding the company. Perhaps you have heard of a project that they are working on and that you know you can contribute to, or maybe you just read an article about the company in the newspaper and think your profile is suitable for the position. Be forward and show your own vision! 

• Make sure that your request is short and precise, so that the employer can easily find out what you want. Consider whether you want to write a real application or simply formulate your points in an email and attach your CV. 

• End the application by saying that you will return in the coming week to follow up. In this way, you have prepared the employer that you will contact him/her. Do not leave a message with the secretary, instead ask when you can meet the boss or the personnel manager. Don't expect them to call you back, so hang in there until you get in touch. You are the one who has the initiative. 

• Prepare some questions about the company and the possible position. Start by asking if they have read your inquiry. If not, explain what it says and ask to schedule a personal interview. If they flatly refuse, you can ask if they can offer any advice on what they would do if they were in your position and wanted to enter the industry. They may know someone in the industry who knows someone who needs someone with your qualifications. 

Applying unsolicited is time-consuming, as you have to do a lot of research. You also have to prepare for a number of rejections. But it often pays off - after all, it only takes one company to think you are a match in order to get your next job.