Should I attach a Cover Letter to my application ?

Question

Hello together,

I applied already for 6 internships [DE/GER] this week and I noticed that most companies dont require a cover letter.

Anyhow there was two companies that do give you an opportunity to upload it. I attached one in two cases but got already the decline from one of them.

So my question is: Should I attach it or can I just skip that because its unusual ?

Other question: Is there the possibility to get the Application Documents checked by a coach (paid)?

Thanks in advance !

BR

Louis

Answer 1

Hi Louis,

the cover letter gives you the chance to talk about your motivation and ambition - it adds a personal touch if it is written well. The CV is just a list and descriptive but not inspirational.

Of course it is up to you to inlcude one if it is only optional and not mandatory. But keep in mind that there will be other applicants who will include a cover letter (maybe even a great one). And that could be a tie breaker in some instances.

You will put a lot of effort and many hours into your application and recruiting process anyway (at least if your aim is to get an offer). So what's the point in “saving a little bit of time” by not writing a cover letter that you can essentially use multiple times (with slight modifications)?

I personally always preferred if HR also gave me a candidate's cover letter to prepare for the interview because all of the CVs looked very similar (especially if it was campus recruiting and the candidates came from the same school).

Anyway, just my two cents.

Many coaches here offer a review of application documents - including myself. Feel free to reach out.

Best

Answer 2

Hi Louis,

If you have the time, I would definitely include a polished cover letter.

Even for firms like McKinsey, where it's optional, a polished cover letter can make a difference. Their head of recruiting for DACH recently posted about it on LinkedIn.

As regards document writing, editing, and polishing in German and English, feel free to reach out via DM.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 3

I strongly recommend submitting a cover letter when given the opportunity. However, I would only advise it when you've invested the time to craft a compelling narrative with clear and professional writing. A few quick tips:

Start with a simple outline (e.g., intro, why you're a strong candidate, why this firm and office, closing) for a one-page cover letter
Go beyond your resume to tell your story and link your skills to the competencies that the firm is looking for with examples
Weave in specifics about the firm/office from your research and networking, linking it to how a given firm is a good fit for you
Ensure the document looks professional (e.g., error-free, consistent formatting, clean headers/signature block)

Feel free to reach out about a cover letter and resume review session.

Answer 4

Hi Louis,

1) Should I attach it or can I just skip that because its unusual ?

Depending on the company, they might or might not screen your cover letter if you attach it. The problem is that you won't know that in advance.

Given that most likely you have a format ready for the other companies and you only need to tweak it a bit, I would make the extra effort just in case and submit one.

You can find some tips for the cover letter below:

▶ How to Craft a Great Cover Letter

2) Is there the possibility to get the Application Documents checked by a coach (paid)?

Yes, most coaches offer the option for a CV and cover letter review, you can find it indicated on their profile and/or description. You can check the list of coaches below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/case-coach

Good luck!

Francesco