Alongside your CV, a cover letter is a key component of any job application in Switzerland. Rather than being a mere formality, a cover letter gives you an opportunity to expand on the information in your CV and convincingly present yourself to a prospective employer. Indeed, it would be difficult to land a job in Switzerland without one. This page walks you through the process of writing and formatting a job-winning cover letter in Switzerland, with some hints and tips about what is expected in the alpine nation.
What is a Swiss cover letter?
Simply put, a cover letter is the letter that will convince your prospective employer that you have the knowledge, skill set and drive to do the job advertised. It is worth taking your time over the cover letter, as it can make the difference between an application that lands a job interview, and one that gets passed over. Most hiring managers in Switzerland will expect to receive a cover letter alongside your CV, even if the job listing does not explicitly specify this.
The cover letter must be around one to two pages long: short but thorough. Many international companies in Switzerland still appreciate a handwritten cover letter.
Rather than simply repeating the information in your CV, in the cover letter you should expand upon your skills and experience, providing illustrative examples, and explain what makes you a good fit for the role. The idea is to pique the hiring manager’s interest and convince them to invite you for an interview.
What’s the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter in Switzerland?
Although the words “cover letter” and “motivation letter” are sometimes used synonymously, there are actually a few important differences between these two types of letters. Typically, a motivation letter serves a different purpose than a cover letter and has different content, structure and formatting requirements.
A motivation letter (also known as a statement of purpose or a letter of intent), is usually used when applying for academic or professional positions, like for someone applying to study at university or for a scholarship. A motivation letter tells the writer’s personal story, explaining their passions, goals and reasons for applying.
A cover letter, on the other hand, is a more factual document used alongside a CV to make up a job application. Its purpose is to supplement and expand upon the information given in the CV, introduce the writer to the hiring manager and generate an invitation to a job interview by outlining the applicant’s skills and experience, with relevant examples. This page focuses on writing a cover letter.
Using a cover letter template in Switzerland
To make your job application stand out, you could choose to use a cover letter template. This is an especially good idea if you use a template for your CV; using the same design for your cover letter will make your application look polished and consistent.
You can find cover letter templates suitable for Switzerland on a number of different websites.
How to write a cover letter in Switzerland
Swiss cover letters aren’t much different to those in other countries, although as a general rule, they tend to be formal and matter-of-fact, without being full of jargon, flowery language or exaggerated claims.
Your cover letter should also be short and to the point - no more than one or two sides of A4 in size 12 font - broken up into easy-to-read paragraphs.
Time-consuming it may be, but it’s really worth your while to write a unique cover letter for each job you apply for. The hiring manager will want to see how your skills and experience match up with the responsibilities and requirements listed in the job description, and why you’ve applied for this specific position. Displaying knowledge of the company that is offering the job is also desirable.
Sending a generic cover letter that doesn’t address these points or - worst of all - mentions things that aren’t relevant to the job, is a sure-fire way to ensure your application gets passed over.
Most cover letters in Switzerland tend to follow a prescribed format. If you’re not sure where to start, breaking the cover letter down into its standard constituent parts can help you structure your paragraphs. Almost all cover letters will include:
- A header containing your personal information
- A greeting to the hiring manager
- An opening paragraph to grab the reader’s attention
- A second paragraph that explains why you are a good fit for this job
- A final paragraph that outlines why you want to work for the company
- A formal closing
Cover letter header
As with your CV, it’s important to include some basic information on your cover letter, as you would when writing any formal letter. You should include:
- Your full name, phone number and email address
- The date
- The name of the hiring manager and the name of the company you’re applying to
You might also want to add links to your professional social media profiles or the address of your personal website, if they are relevant to the position.
Address the hiring manager
A good way to make your application stand out is to do your research so that you can address your cover letter to the hiring manager personally. This information might be included in the job listing, otherwise, you can check the company’s website or LinkedIn to find out who the head of the relevant department is. You could also call up to ask who to address your application to.
As a last resort, if you can’t find the right name, address your cover letter with a greeting like:
- Dear [Company name] Team
- Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
- Dear Hiring Manager
Section 1: Write an attention-grabbing introduction
The first paragraph of a cover letter is where you introduce yourself, say what you are applying for and what you know about the company. This is perhaps the most important part of the letter: as companies receive so many applications for a single position, you need to grab the reader’s attention from the first paragraph.
The key here is to not be too generic. Imagine most applicants have similar work experience, skills and interests as you. Instead, highlight what makes you unique or what your top selling point is.
Section 2: List your relevant experience and skills
In the second and third paragraphs, you should try to list all of your relevant skills and experience. The key word here is “relevant”. Rather than listing all your experience, go back and look at the job description and pick out a few of the top skills related to the job.
Then, match these requirements to elements from your own experience and skills, and use examples to illustrate how you fulfil them.
Section 3: Explain why you want to work for the company
The final paragraph is used to explain why you want the job you are applying for. This is where you are able to illustrate your desire to work for that specific company and where you see this job in your career progression. Hiring managers want to know that you’d be a good fit.
You might need to do some extra research, for instance noting down what you know about the company, its products or services, and why this appeals to you.
Close with a formal sign-off
With the meat of your letter done, you can finish with a conclusion that wraps things up. This is where you can note down any outstanding commitments and your availability to start work, or add anything else you think is relevant. Finally, be polite and thank the hiring manager for their time.
You can then end with a formal closing, such as:
- Kind regards
- Best regards
- Yours sincerely
- Thank you
Once you’ve finished the first draft of your cover letter, take a (small) break before coming back to read it again with fresh eyes. Perhaps ask a friend to look over it before you send it off.
Should I write my cover letter in English, German, French or Italian?
You might question whether you need to write your cover letter in English or another language. The answer to this depends on a few factors, namely:
- What language is required for the job
- What is specified in the job description regarding the application
- Your own language ability
If a job description specifies that applications should be made in a certain language, you should follow this advice. If your language ability isn’t up to the task of writing a CV and cover letter in the specified language, it may be that the job isn’t a good fit for you.
Many companies in Switzerland, especially international companies, do offer English-speaking roles. In this instance, it’s fine to submit your documents in English. For bilingual roles, you may want to submit your documents in both English and another language, to really show off your language skills.
Cover letter examples for Switzerland
If you’re not sure where to start, it can help to read over some example cover letters, which can give you an idea of what is expected. When working from an example, don’t be tempted to copy them word for word - you want to convey your own, unique skills and personality, not someone else’s.
Final tips on writing a cover letter
- Double and triple-check your cover letter for formatting, grammar and spelling errors. Ideally, have a friend check it over as well before you submit it.
- Include your personal details at the top of the letter.
- Do some research to try to address the hiring manager by name.
- Tailor your cover letter to match the exact skills mentioned in the job description.
- Use specific, measurable examples from your work history to back up what you’re saying about yourself.
- End with a formal signing-off (examples above).
- Avoid writing too much. One or - at a push - two sides of A4 is plenty.