What do applicants often misunderstand?
They often think it's about ticking boxes — correct CV length, correct layout. But what’s really missing in most applications is positioning. People describe tasks they’ve done, but forget to position themselves as future collaborators.
When I read a motivation letter, I ask myself: “Would I feel comfortable introducing this person to my client or team?” That’s not about perfection. It’s about clarity and resonance. Are they showing me that they understand what we do — and that they care?
What should applicants know about writing to HR?
Imagine you’re on the other side of the table. What would make you trust a stranger with a key project? What kind of person would you want to vouch for in front of your own boss?
Start there. Show that you took the time to research the company. Tell me what in our work matters to you. Tell me how your experience can help me succeed — not just how it helped your last employer.
What commonly leads to rejection?
Generic content. You can always tell when a letter has been copy-pasted to 20 companies. When I see “I am highly motivated and a good team player,” I stop reading.
Instead, talk about one specific challenge from your past role. Tell me what was hard, what you learned, and what that means for my context. That builds trust.
How do you help your RAV clients improve their applications?
We work on language, tone, and intent. One of the first things I suggest is to remove unnecessary complexity — both in design and in wording.
We also work on how to show readiness without arrogance. For example: instead of writing “I am the best fit,” write “I believe my experience in X and Y may help your team in Z.”
And always remember: even if you’re unemployed, you’re not powerless. You’re offering your time and skills — make that value visible.
What did you contribute to Swiss Hire Kit?
The structure of the motivation letter. I suggested a format where the applicant starts with the company, not themselves — a perspective shift that changes everything.
It’s just one page, but when done right, it opens doors.
PRACTICAL NOTES · IN THE KIT
Apply these ideas to your own application.
The complete kit includes the working notes and templates alongside the illustrated lessons.
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Put the ideas into practice.
Use these notes and templates when preparing your own application.
Practical notes reviewed 7 October 2026.
Match your experience to the vacancy
Put the vacancy beside your CV. Choose two or three important requirements and identify work you have actually done that demonstrates each one. Make the role you want and your reason for applying easy to find.
If you lack an example, work out whether you have relevant experience elsewhere or whether the requirement is a genuine gap. Choose another role when an essential requirement is outside your experience.
Explain your interest in this employer
Choose something specific from the advert, product or project that interests you. Connect it to your experience or the work you want to do. Replace general praise such as "outstanding reputation" with a reason you can explain.
Your advert describes [specific responsibility or project]. That interests me because [genuine professional reason]. In my work on [real task], I [action you can substantiate], which is relevant to [the responsibility in this vacancy].
Show the work behind the claim
General: I am highly motivated and a good team player.
Specific task: I coordinated the handover of open invoice questions between accounts payable and budget owners, recording the next action for each item.
Use a task from your own experience. Describe the difficulty, your action and what you learned. Distinguish your contribution from the team's result and include figures you can substantiate.
The free worked application follows Alex Example in Sample case D, from the candidate profile to the CV and letter.
Use a direct, respectful tone
Use the employer's instructions and tone to choose your greeting and level of formality. Describe a task you could take on and the experience that supports that contribution.
State your actual language level. Translation can improve the document without changing your working proficiency. Ask about an unclear language requirement instead of implying a level you do not have.
Check the documents together
Read your CV, motivation letter and email side by side. Compare job titles, dates, skills and language levels. Check that the email names the right role and lists only the files you have attached.
Follow the requested channel and format. Use identifiable filenames, check the recipient and links, then open the final PDFs to catch spelling and layout errors.
Your next step.
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