Writing an application letter for a job or work experience placement

The letters below can be adapted to suit most forms of application. The first letter is for a job application, the second for a work experience placement (Praktikum). You can copy the text and paste it into your own word-processing program. Select the parts you need and adapt or delete the rest. Before you start the text of the letter, here are a few tips concerning the layout at the top of the page:

The date:

As date formats vary throughout the world (06.03.17 could be 6th March or 3rd June for example) it is always best to write the month as a word on international letters: e.g. 6th March 2017.

The address:

It is best to put the name of the person you are writing to on the first line of the address when writing internationally. This is the normal convention in some countries and will ensure that the letter is delivered to the right person e.g.:

Mrs. Anne Richards
Personnel Manager
D. B. Brown & Co. Ltd.
36 Church Road ............etc.

Other vocabulary tips for application letters and CVs

An "Orientierungsstufe" could be called an orientation school, not "orienteering" – this is a sport.

"Zivildienst" is called civilian service, not "civil service", which means "öffentlicher Dienst".

Text 1: Job application letter:

Dear Sir, Madam, Sir/Madam,

I read with interest your advertisement in "The Times" of March 2nd and would like to apply for the position of "Marketing Assistant" with your company.

As you will see from the enclosed CV, I have three years' experience as a marketing assistant in a major international company (Equinox Plc.) and a degree in Business Studies from Munich University. In my present job I am responsible for designing and placing advertising in the national and international press and have also worked on several television commercials (you could give some examples of projects you have worked on here).

I am especially interested in working for XYZ PLC because of your company's successful involvement with online marketing, a field that I am particularly enthusiastic about. I feel that with my background and experience I could be a useful asset to your company and would be a very suitable candidate for the vacant position.

Should you require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address.

I would be available for an interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Mustermann

Martin Mustermann

Text 2: Application for a work experience placement:

Dear Sir, Madam, Sir/Madam,

I am a student of "Business Studies" at Göttingen University, Germany. As part of my studies I am required to complete a two-month period of work experience and I am writing to inquire whether this would be possible within your company.

I obtained your details through my research on the internet. I am particularly interested in your company because I have a special interest in the field of consumer electronics, which you manufacture. In addition, I would like to do my work experience placement in (Britain / Ireland / Greece / China / etc.) because I am especially enthusiastic about getting to know your country and its people, and improving my (English / Spanish / Japanese / etc.) language skills.

As you can see from the enclosed CV, I already have several months of work experience in the manufacturing industry and I feel I would be a useful asset to your company during the time spent working there.

The period of work experience in question would need to run from 1st July 20XX to 31st August 20XX and I would need to spend time in at least four different departments within your organization.

Should you require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address.

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Martina Mustermann

Martina Mustermann