Ausbildung Cover Letter Guide

October 17, 2026 T. Ausbildung Corner

Short answer: An Ausbildung cover letter (Anschreiben) is a one-page letter that explains why you want this training and this employer. Name the exact occupation, address a named contact if you can, and answer three questions: why this occupation, why this employer and what strengths you bring.

This guide covers the cover letter only. It explains the structure, what to write in each part, and how to choose between German and English. Visa and entry rules are outside the scope of this site.

Table of Contents

What an Ausbildung cover letter does

Your CV lists facts. The cover letter explains your motivation. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) advises that the employer should be able to see the letter was written for that company and not sent to many. In the order the BA recommends, the cover letter comes first, followed by an optional cover sheet, the CV and then the certificates.

The structure of the letter

Part	What to write	Notes
Your details	Your name, address, phone number and email	Use a serious email address and check it often, including the spam folder
Employer details	Company name, address and a named contact person	If the posting gives no name, the BA suggests asking the company by phone
Date	The date you write the letter	Usually placed on the right, below the address
Subject line	The training position you apply for, with the exact occupation title and any reference number from the posting	The word “Betreff” (German for “subject”) is no longer used. The line is usually bold
Salutation	Address the named person directly	If you have no name, “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” is the standard form
Opening	How you found the position, which occupation you want and your preferred start date	Keep it short and direct
Middle part	Why this occupation, why this employer, your school, and strengths or experience that fit	This is the most important part. See the next section
Closing	Say you look forward to an interview	Use confident, positive wording
Greeting and signature	“Freundliche Grüße”, your full name and a signature	You can sign by hand or insert a digital signature image
Enclosures	Write “Anlagen” (German for “enclosures”)	A list is only needed if you use a cover sheet

How to write an Ausbildung cover letter: the middle part

The BA says the middle part must answer two questions: why you want to learn this occupation, and why you want to train at this company. A BA teaching guide adds a third: what strengths you bring to this training. Support your answers with facts:

Your interest in the occupation. Explain what attracts you to the work and what you did to learn about it, such as a school project, an internship or volunteering.
Your interest in the employer. Show that you looked at the company’s website. Mention something specific about it.
Your school and certificate. Say which school you attend or attended and when you expect to finish.
Experience and interests that fit. Internships, holiday jobs, volunteering or hobbies count if they connect to the occupation.
The posting itself. If the posting asks for teamwork, say when you worked in a team. Respond to its content without copying its wording.

If you studied outside Germany, name your school and certificate in the same way as on your CV, so the dates and titles match.

German or English?

Make it in Germany, the government’s official portal, advises you to check whether the employer accepts English before you write. If your German is good, you can write in German and ask a native speaker to proofread it. The portal also warns against using tools such as AI to fake language skills, because the interview shows your real level.

Write only what you can back up. If your German is still improving, the BA advises against negative wording about weaknesses. Say what you are doing about it, for example that you are preparing for a language exam, but only if that is true.

Tone, length and format

One page. The BA’s teaching guide says a cover letter should be only one page.
Direct sentences. The BA advises avoiding hedging forms such as “would” and “could”, and building sentences around “I” and “you”.
Clean layout. Use short paragraphs and the same readable font as the rest of your application.
Online forms. Many employers have a text field for the letter. The BA suggests writing it in a document first and pasting it in, to avoid errors.

How to write it, step by step

Read the posting and note the exact occupation title, the start date and any reference number.
Find the name of a contact person, using the posting or the company’s website.
Write short notes answering the three questions: why this occupation, why this employer and what you bring.
Draft the letter in the order shown in the table, with direct sentences.
Shorten it to one page and remove anything that does not support your answers.
Ask someone else to proofread it, as the BA recommends. A native German speaker is best if you write in German.
Check that your dates and details match your CV, then add your signature.

Common mistakes

Sending the same letter to every employer. The BA says the company should see the letter was written for it.
Copying a sample letter. Use samples as ideas, then write your own.
Using a wrong or outdated occupation title. The BA lists this among the common reasons employers are unhappy with applications.
Spelling and layout errors. Formal mistakes can cost you an interview.
Claiming German skills you do not have. The interview will show your real level.
Focusing on weaknesses. Describe what you can do and what you are doing to improve.

Frequently asked questions

How long should an Ausbildung cover letter be?

One page. That is the BA’s guidance for trainee applications.

Should I write it in German or English?

Check the posting and the employer first. If German is accepted and your level allows it, write in German and have a native speaker proofread it. If the employer accepts English, you can use it.

Who should I address the letter to?

A named contact person. If the posting gives no name, the BA suggests asking the company by phone. If you still have no name, “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” is the standard form.

Do I write the word “Betreff” above the subject line?

No. The BA says the word is no longer used. State the training position and the exact occupation title instead.

Can I use a template?

Use templates and samples for the structure, not for the wording. The BA advises understanding what matters and then writing your own letter, because the content must fit your situation and the employer.

Sources

Last updated: 17 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.

Ausbildung Corner.