What the letter should achieve
The application letter shows why you are applying to this company, which experience fits the position, and what specific contribution you can make.
A letter is not a general legal requirement. What matters is which documents the job advertisement or application portal requires. One A4 page is a practical target, not a legal limit.
Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbungsbrief schreiben
Step-by-step structure
Sender and Recipient
Your contact details are at the top. After that comes the company's address and, if known, the responsible person or department. Check each spelling carefully.
Place and Date
Use a clear date, for example, "Zurich, August 28, 2026."
Subject
State the actual position and an existing reference number. Do not include long advertising sentences or the entire headline from the job portal.
Personal Salutation
Address a named contact person directly. If no one is named, "Good day" or more formally "Dear Sir or Madam" is possible.
Introduction
Establish a true connection to the task or the company right away. An empty standard phrase takes up space without saying anything about your motivation.
Main part
Choose two or three requirements from the advertisement. Connect each with an actual experience, a concrete example, and the benefit for the new position.
Conclusion
Close politely and concretely. In Switzerland, the closing formula "Freundliche Grüsse" is appropriate, followed by your name and optionally your signature.
Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbungsbrief schreiben
Concrete arguments instead of general claims
A helpful sequence is: requirement from the job posting, relevant experience, verifiable example, and benefit for the new position. Write only about tasks, responsibilities, and results that truly belong to your career.
If you are changing industries, explain the change openly and positively. Mention transferable skills and your actual preparation. Do not conceal your previous industry and do not invent experience in the target industry.
Bewerbung als [genaue Funktion], Referenz [Nummer] Sehr geehrte Frau [Name] / Sehr geehrter Herr [Name] Die Position als [Funktion] spricht mich an, weil [wahrer Bezug zur Stelle oder zum Unternehmen]. In meiner bisherigen Tätigkeit als [Funktion] war ich für [tatsächliche Aufgabe] verantwortlich. Dabei konnte ich [relevante Kompetenz] einsetzen. Besonders gut passt zu Ihrer Stelle, dass ich [konkretes Beispiel]. Gerne erläutere ich Ihnen persönlich, wie ich Ihr Team unterstützen kann. Ich freue mich auf Ihre Rückmeldung. Freundliche Grüsse [Vorname Nachname]
Avoid common mistakes
- Send the same unchanged letter to multiple companies.
- Merely copy requirements from the advertisement.
- Repeat the resume in full.
- Incorrectly transfer position, contact person, or reference number.
- Use unverified claims or invented qualifications.
- Do not plausibly explain a career change.
- Send a letter that is too long without clear priorities.
Checklist before sending
- The letter is tailored specifically to this position.
- Company, contact person, position, and reference are correct.
- Concrete examples replace general claims.
- All qualifications and experiences are true.
- A career change is honestly and positively explained.
- The letter fits on one page and uses Swiss spelling.
- The PDF has a professional file name.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
One A4 page is a reasonable recommendation. It is not a general legal limit.
Cover letter or motivation letter?
The terms are sometimes used similarly. If a job ad explicitly requires both documents, you should check which content the employer expects for each.
Do I have to meet every requirement?
No. Focus on requirements that you actually meet. You must not invent missing experience; instead, explain suitable transferable skills.
Can I reuse a previous letter?
Yes, as a basic structure. However, company, role, motivation, and examples must match the new position.
Sources
This guide is based on the following official and specialist sources:
- arbeit.swiss – BewerbungstippsStaatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO
- berufsberatung.ch – Bewerbungsbrief schreibenSchweizerisches Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung