The Steps of Your Application

You shouldn't leave your career choice to chance. You should start thinking about this topic no later than your penultimate year of school. This gives you enough time to discard some ideas, explore others, and look for alternatives if your career aspirations aren't feasible.

At the beginning of your application process, you should create a folder in which you can keep all the important documents. This includes your cover letter, resume, photo(s), and certificates.

What should be included in your cover letter?

Your cover letter is your way of advertising yourself. You need to explain briefly and convincingly why you are the right person for the apprenticeship. Since there's only a small space, it needs to be clear at a glance what you want, what you can do, and who you are.

Step 1 – What should it include? Explain why you chose this apprenticeship!

Find out more about the apprenticeship:

What skills and knowledge are required?

Are you familiar with the apprenticeship content?

Why did you choose this apprenticeship?

What do you find so interesting about this profession?

Explain why you are applying to this company!

Find out more about the company:

What specific information do you know about the company? (e.g., products, number of employees, year founded)
Why do you want to apply to this particular company?

Find a personal contact person to whom you can address your application. Simply call the company. Inquire about the requirements for the apprenticeship and the application deadlines. You can then refer to this initial conversation in your cover letter. ("Thank you for the informative phone call on…")

Explain why you are the right person for this apprenticeship!

Think about yourself:

Which of your skills and knowledge are relevant to the apprenticeship? (Favorite subjects, hobbies, interests, extracurricular activities)
What experience do you have? (Internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, grades)
Highlight your strengths.

Support all your skills and knowledge with examples.

Not like this: “I am motivated, efficient, and flexible.”

But like this: “My dedication was rewarded with second place at the XY sports tournament.”

Step 2 – Create a Draft

The Right Writing Style:

Keep it brief: The cover letter should only be one A4 page long.

Write confidently: I can…, I want to…
Avoid mistakes: Whether spelling mistakes or simple typos – such oversights always make a bad impression. After all, the application letter serves as your first writing sample.

The correct format:

Font type: Arial (font size: 11) or Times New Roman (font size: 12); stick to one font!

Margins: 3 cm left and right; 4 blank lines at the top

Left-aligned formatting (lines are uneven, unlike justified text)
You can see exactly how a cover letter is structured and what information should go where – four pages further – in the examples.

Step 3 – The finishing touches

Take your time to revise your cover letter:

Put your cover letter aside for a few hours.

Print out your cover letter and read it through carefully.

Have a friend, your parents, or your teacher proofread it.

What belongs in your resume?

Your resume is an important tool for presenting yourself. Here you provide clear information about your life: Who are you? What have you done, when, and where? What knowledge, skills, and interests do you bring to the table? Your resume should spark interest in you and showcase what you can offer your future training company.

Here's what you need to pay attention to:

Provide an overview: Format your resume in a table format.

Get to the point: Write concisely and clearly.

Focus on your goals: Highlight the experiences and interests that demonstrate your suitability for the apprenticeship.

Provide evidence: Document all the skills and experience you list in your resume. Include copies of these certificates and references in the appendix.

What information should be included?

Personal information:
Name, address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth. Information about your family, nationality, and religious affiliation (if requested by your employer) is optional.

Education:

Overview of the schools you attended, your graduation certificate, favorite subjects, and school activities. Start the list with primary school and place the most recent school at the end.

Skills, practical experience, and hobbies:

In this section, you demonstrate that you possess the qualities that are important for the apprenticeship position.

Date and signature:

Your resume must include the same date as your cover letter. Both documents must be signed by you.

Application photo:

If you don't want to create a cover page, attach your photo to the top right corner of your resume. Including a photo is optional.

Tips for your application photo: A suitable application photo is crucial for presenting yourself effectively. It conveys the first, decisive impression of you. For this reason, most companies expect such a photo. However, according to the law, application photos are no longer mandatory.

For a great application photo, you absolutely must go to a photographer. Photos from a photo booth or snapshots taken in your free time will immediately disqualify you. A good photographer will help you tailor the photo to the style of your desired profession. If you want to apply online, you can also have a digital photo taken in JPG format. The photographer knows how to do that.

The perfect styling:

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The application photo should show your head and part of your shoulder. Blouse or blazer? Smart sweater or dress shirt? Coordinate your outfit with what suits the job you're interested in. To ensure your outfit complements the photographer's background, it's best to bring both a light and a dark top to the photoshoot. Avoid black and bright colors.

The right timing: Dark circles under your eyes, blemishes, or a runny nose? For a great application photo, it's important that you're fit and feel comfortable. This should, of course, be evident.

The successful photoshoot:

"Say cheese!" This isn't about a beauty contest, but about your personal charisma. Does your picture convey the impression that you're a team player and motivated? Does it show that you can handle difficult challenges? A good application photo simply gives you a better chance of being invited for an interview.

The right placement:

Attach your application photo neatly to the top right of your resume. Write your name on the back. Of course, you can also scan the image and then print it out.