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How to Write an Anschreiben (Cover Letter) That Actually Gets Opened in Germany

2024-08-31

Learn how to write a German Anschreiben that gets read, with real examples, formatting tips, and the mistakes Moroccan applicants must avoid.

Most Moroccan applicants spend hours on their CV and then rush through the Anschreiben in twenty minutes — and that is exactly why recruiters stop reading. In the German job application system, your cover letter (Anschreiben) is not a formality; it is the first filter that decides whether your CV ever gets a second look. Get this document right, and you dramatically improve your chances of landing an Ausbildung or a job in Germany, even if your German is still developing.

What Is an Anschreiben and Why Does It Matter So Much in Germany?

An Anschreiben is a one-page formal cover letter that accompanies your CV (Lebenslauf) and any other application documents (Bewerbungsunterlagen). Unlike in Morocco or France, where a cover letter is often a polite addition, German employers treat the Anschreiben as a core part of the application package.

Recruiters in Germany — especially for Ausbildung positions — read the Anschreiben before anything else. They use it to answer three questions fast:

• Can this person write clearly in German?
• Do they understand what this job actually requires?
• Do they show genuine motivation, or is this a copy-paste letter?

If your Anschreiben does not answer all three in the first half-page, the application usually stops there.

The Exact Structure of a German Anschreiben

German cover letters follow a very specific format. Deviating from it signals that you do not know professional norms — which is itself a red flag.

1. Your Contact Information (Absender)

At the top left, write your full name, street address, city and postal code, phone number, and email. Example:

Youssef El Amrani
Musterstraße 12, 10115 Berlin
+49 176 12345678
youssef.elamrani@email.com

2. Employer's Address (Empfänger)

Below your details, add the company name, contact person if you know one, and their address. Always try to find a specific person's name — "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" is a last resort.

3. Date and Reference Line

Write the date on the right, then a subject line (Betreff) in bold. Example:

Bewerbung als Kaufmann im Einzelhandel – Ausbildungsbeginn 2025

4. The Opening Paragraph

This is where most people fail. Do not start with "Ich bewerbe mich hiermit…" — every recruiter has read that sentence ten thousand times. Instead, open with a concrete observation or specific motivation:

"Während meiner Recherche zu Ihrem Unternehmen habe ich erfahren, dass Sie 2024 drei neue Filialen in München eröffnet haben. Genau diese Wachstumsphase möchte ich als angehender Kaufmann aktiv mitgestalten."

That opening shows you did your homework. It is specific. It is interesting.

5. The Middle Paragraph(s): Your Skills and Fit

This is the heart of the letter — two short paragraphs maximum. Link your actual experience or skills directly to what the job posting asks for. Use numbers where possible:

• "In meiner Heimatstadt Casablanca habe ich 14 Monate im Einzelhandel gearbeitet und täglich Kundengespräche auf Arabisch und Französisch geführt."
• "Mein Deutschniveau beträgt B1 (Goethe-Zertifikat, Oktober 2024) und ich belege derzeit einen B2-Kurs."

Avoid vague phrases like "Ich bin teamfähig und motiviert." Every applicant says that. Show, do not tell.

6. Closing Paragraph and Call to Action

Express your availability for an interview and mention your earliest start date. Keep it confident but not arrogant:

"Über eine Einladung zu einem persönlichen Gespräch würde ich mich sehr freuen. Ich stehe ab dem 1. März 2025 zur Verfügung."

7. Sign-Off

Use "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," leave three lines for a handwritten signature (even in digital applications, many people add a scanned signature), then type your full name.

How Long Should Your Anschreiben Be?

Exactly one page — not one line more. This is not a suggestion; it is an unwritten German rule taken very seriously.

Aim for:

• 3–4 paragraphs
• Font: Arial or Times New Roman, size 11 or 12
• Line spacing: 1.15 to 1.5
• Margins: 2.5 cm on all sides (DIN 5008 standard)
• File format: PDF, named clearly — e.g., Anschreiben_Youssef_ElAmrani.pdf

Many German companies, especially large ones like Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, or Lidl, scan applications with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). A clean, standard format helps ensure your letter is parsed correctly.

Matching Your Anschreiben to the Job Posting

This is the step that separates successful applicants from the rest. Open the job ad in one window and your Anschreiben in another. For every requirement the company lists, ask yourself: "Where does my letter address this?"

Practical method:

1. Highlight the three most important requirements in the job posting.
2. Write one sentence in your Anschreiben for each — tied to a real example from your life.
3. Use keywords from the posting naturally in your letter (ATS picks these up).

For example, if the posting says "Kundenorientierung" (customer orientation), do not just repeat the word — prove it: "In meiner Arbeit als Verkäufer bei Marjane in Rabat habe ich gelernt, Kundenbedürfnisse schnell zu erkennen und individuelle Lösungen anzubieten."

Writing an Anschreiben in German When Your German Is Not Perfect Yet

Many Moroccan applicants at B1 or B2 level worry that their German will sound unnatural. Here is the honest truth: a grammatically imperfect but genuine letter beats a flawless but hollow one — though of course you should aim for both.

Practical tips:

• Write a draft in whatever language is most comfortable, then translate and simplify.
• Use the LanguageTool browser extension (free) or DeepL Write to catch grammar errors.
• Ask a native speaker or a tutor to review it — platforms like italki.com connect you with German tutors for around €10–€15 per hour.
• Keep sentences short. German employers appreciate clarity over complexity.
• Avoid direct machine translation — it often sounds robotic and misses register.

If you include your German certificate level in the letter itself (which you should), recruiters will calibrate their expectations accordingly and will not penalise minor errors as harshly.

Common Pitfalls: What People Get Wrong

After reviewing hundreds of Moroccan applicants' cover letters, these are the most repeated mistakes:

• Copying templates word for word. Recruiters recognise standard templates instantly. Personalise every letter.
• Writing more than one page. Even if you have a lot to say, cut it. One page is the rule.
• Starting with "Ich bewerbe mich hiermit…" This opening is considered stale. Start with your motivation or a specific fact.
• Not addressing a specific person. "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" suggests you did not bother to find a contact. Check the company website or call their office.
• Listing duties instead of achievements. "Ich habe im Verkauf gearbeitet" says nothing. "Ich habe täglich 50+ Kundenkontakte bearbeitet" says something.
• Sending the same letter to every company. German employers can tell. Even changing the company name and one paragraph makes a significant difference.
• Ignoring the file name. A file named Anschreiben_final_v3_EDIT.pdf looks careless. Name it professionally.
• Missing the Betreff line. German letters always have a bold subject line. Skipping it is a formatting error that signals unfamiliarity with local norms.

A Word on Ausbildung Applications Specifically

If you are applying for an Ausbildung — a German vocational training programme — the Anschreiben carries even more weight than in regular job applications. Companies training an apprentice are investing two to three years in you. They want to see:

• Why this specific profession? Be concrete. "Ich möchte Mechatroniker werden, weil ich seit meiner Kindheit technische Geräte repariert habe" is far better than "Ich interessiere mich für Technik."
• Why this specific company? Research the company on their website, Google News, or LinkedIn before writing.
• Your long-term plan. Many Ausbildung providers want to see that you think beyond the training itself.

Ausbildung positions at companies like Bosch, BMW, Deutsche Telekom, or even mid-sized Mittelstand firms all expect a well-structured, customised Anschreiben. The competition is real — sometimes 80+ applicants per spot in popular cities like Munich, Hamburg, or Frankfurt.

Conclusion

Writing an Anschreiben that actually gets opened is not about having perfect German or an impressive CV — it is about showing a specific employer that you understand their needs and have real reasons for applying to them specifically. Follow the DIN 5008 format, keep it to one page, open with something memorable, and connect every skill to a concrete example. That combination alone puts you ahead of the majority of applicants.

If you want to build a professional, tailored Anschreiben without starting from a blank page, try our Anschreiben Generator — built specifically for Moroccan applicants applying for Ausbildung and jobs in Germany. You can also Book a consultation with our specialist with our team to review your letter before you send it.