Applying by email in Germany: subject line, message and attachments
Most small and mid-sized German employers want applications by email. The right subject line, a short German message and clean attachments make the first impression count.
Listings on the Federal Employment Agency's job board often show nothing but an email address. Trades businesses, care homes, restaurants and logistics companies rarely have an application portal – your email is your application.
Your email address
Use a professional address with your name, e.g. firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
The subject line
State the position and, if available, the reference number:
- „Bewerbung als Lagerhelfer (m/w/d) – Ref. 12345“
- „Bewerbung als Pflegehelferin – Ihre Anzeige bei der Bundesagentur für Arbeit“
German email template
Betreff: Bewerbung als Servicekraft (m/w/d) in Teilzeit
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
hiermit bewerbe ich mich auf Ihre Stelle als Servicekraft in Teilzeit. Ich habe zwei Jahre Erfahrung im Restaurantservice und spreche Deutsch (B2), Englisch und Spanisch.
Ich kann abends und am Wochenende arbeiten und ab sofort beginnen. Meinen Lebenslauf finden Sie im Anhang.
Über eine Rückmeldung freue ich mich.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Sofia García
Tel. 0152 55566677
Attachments
- PDF only – no Word files or phone photos
- Clear file names: „Lebenslauf_Sofia_Garcia.pdf“
- Under 5 MB in total
Common mistakes
- One mass email to many companies – every application should be a separate email.
- An empty email with only an attachment.
- The wrong company name left over from a previous application.
- Too many emails in a short time from the same account, which can get you flagged as spam.
Frequently asked questions
Should the cover letter go in the email body or as an attachment?+
Both are common. For small companies, putting it straight into the email is often better because it gets read immediately. Always attach your CV as a PDF.
Can I apply in English?+
If the job ad is in German, apply in German. International companies and ads written in English usually accept English.
What if I don't hear back?+
After 10 to 14 days, send a short, polite follow-up by replying to your original application email, or call.
Don't want to type every cover letter?
Jobmir finds matching jobs at the German Federal Employment Agency and writes a separate German cover letter for each company. You review and approve – it goes out in your name, and replies come straight to you.
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