Employment and jobs

How to write a cover letter when applying for a job in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, a well-written cover letter can be just as important as your CV when applying for a job. It's your chance to make a strong first impression and highlight your qualifications beyond the format of your CV.

Table of content

When applying for a job, alongside the resume, the candidate sends a cover letter or a motivation letter. In Luxembourg, it is written in the language of the vacancy publication, unless the employer specified otherwise. Nowadays all the information for applying is sent via email, but it used to be handwritten.

Structure and contents of a cover letter for job application in 2024

The motivation letter should contain all the elements that allow the employer to get to know the person and the future employee's professional goals and background. It can be a more personal touch, an addition to the CV that you are applying to the employer as a set of skills and qualifications you have.

The cover letter can be formatted as an official letter with your contact details in the top left-hand corner, or it can be formatted in a different way - for example, using the future company's official constitution. A constitution is essentially a set of rules drawn up by an organisation describing how things are done.

What matters?

Pay as much attention to this document as to your CV if you want to land a job in Luxembourg. Your motivation to work and clear goals of working with the company you apply to can mean more, than your education and CV.

Here are a possible elements of the cover letter, that you might want to include into your motivational letter for job application in Luxembourg. Remember, that this is an advice, not a rule.

Title of the application

Contact information

Greetings

Main content of the letter

Conclusion and goodbyes

Writing style and tone of voice

It is better to use an official business style in your cover letter when applying for a job in Luxembourg, but try to avoid complicated language constructions. Ideally, combine the simplicity of the formulation with a professional tone.

TOV advice

Clarity, succinctness, and conciseness should be the foundation of the letter. Any bragging, flirting, familiarity, pathetic pressure, etc. are unacceptable.

Addressing "Dear Sir/Madam" is acceptable if you do not know the recipient's name. However, if you do, address them by their first and last names, and be sure to check that they are spelled correctly.

Formatting of the cover letter

Typically, a cover letter can be included as an attachment or printed version, so it is well worth investing time and making sure it is well prepared. Paying attention to all the details is worthwhile because finding a job in Luxembourg and getting a position is quite a challenge due to the intense competition for highest salaries in Europe. Let's see a few requirements for the format.

Length

The size should not exceed an A4 sheet. The function of a cover letter is to encourage the recruiter to examine your resume and call you in for an interview rather than telling everything about you.

Typography

Use normal black Times New Roman (12) or Arial (10) on the white background.

Easily approachable

It is necessary to divide information into paragraphs, stress the headline and contact details, and visually separate the greeting and conclusion from the text body. In a great cover letter, a recruiter can find needed information quickly.

Double-check

Do not use abbreviations. Check the spelling twice — grammar errors are repulsive and give the impression that the candidate is inattentive.

Few more tips

First of all, don't miss out on a valuable resource in Luxembourg for those looking for a job. ADEM can be your key to crafting a stellar cover letter. Head over to their website to know more about the available help. They offer workshops specifically designed to help you write a cover letter that will grab the attention of hiring managers.

If you considering finding a job in Luxembourg, keep these few things in mind:

Don't write a two-sentence formal cover letter. "Hello, please read my resume" and other similar letters will not be treated seriously by any recruiter.
Do not reuse segments and pieces of your resume. The cover letter should complement it, not paraphrase it.
Don't make an autobiography out of a letter. A story of your life is not what human resources managers expect to see in an application to a position in Luxembourg.
Do not indicate non-existent or irrelevant experience or skills. If you are applying for a PR position and have worked as an editor, for example, it is a related experience that can be useful in creating press releases. It's a very different matter when you state that you worked as a barista and know how to make great coffee for your colleagues.

Finding a job may seem difficult at first, but at the end of the day you can find plenty of opportunities in Luxembourg if you are in another country and plan to come here to work. Read out other articles to be aware of all the options.