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Application Dossier

Definition, Explanation

When you apply for a job, responding to a job ad or out of your own initiative, you usually do it by composing an application dossier. It contains:

• Application letter making reference to the job ad, respectively to your motivation to apply
• Curriculum vitae with your photograph or cover sheet with photo and the curriculum vitae behind
• “Third page” (optional)
• References (optional)
• Working certificates (anti-chronologically: latest first), also internship certificates
• Apprenticeship certificates (antichronologically)
• Listing of further education
• Attachments: Samples of work, publications about you or by you

The documents should be ordered as described, with the main letter put unattached and first, or in case of a transparent dossier as the first sheet. All documents will be given back to you after the application dossier has been viewed, only the main letter will be kept in the company.

With the application dossier, you provide a first sample of your work. Thus, it is an important instrument of your marketing and more influential than any contact card. It gives the receiver a first impression of you and is supposed to get them interested enough to have you invited to a job interview. It should not be one of the applications that are put on the pile “to be sent back to the applicant”.

Tips, Checklist

• Invest enough care in making the dossier. Otherwise you can save any effort, since your dossier will be sorted aside after first viewing and will be sent back to you
• Making up the application dossier, take into account the company and the position you are applying for. This includes sparing out such documents that are not relevant for the advertised position
• Get informed whether the company accept application dossiers or insist on online application
• Make it as easy as possible to the reader of your dossier to handle the papers. They want to view the documents quickly, maybe take some out and copy them. And, they should not be given a reason to perceive the application negatively right at first sight. Therefore, mind the following:
  • No over-done binding, like spiral or glued binding
  • No Loose-leaf binders and sheet protectors. Even three-parts dossiers are not always welcome
  • No special paper formats, e.g. larger than DIN-A4
  • No flashy colours. Exception: Marketing positions, advertising companies
  • No showy design
  • No formal errors, spelling errors, sloppy appearance
  • No standard application templates that you can fill in online and that the provider sends on your behalf. They lack individuality
• Generally consider: The application dossier is a matter of taste as far as the design and layout are concerned. The essential things are the contents named main letter and curriculum vitae which should best possible match the position to be filled. The more detailed and individually you adapt your application to that, the higher will your chances of being invited to a job interview be
• Ensure up-to-dateness
• No double-side-printed papers
• Use normal, white paper
• Use those application files offered in stationary shops that are made for non-perforated paper
• Never copy the main letter and curriculum vitae for further purposes
• Do not give away your originals
• Make sure the papers are clean and neat, without any bends
• Do not fold the papers
• Have a third party view the application dossier and ask them for their honest first impression
• For the sending, use a large enough post wallet
• Make the address on the envelope well readable, handwritten in block letters or using an address label
• Write your own address on the main letter, the back of the photo, on the curriculum vitae, maybe on the certificates
• If possible, name the contact person, or the personnel manager in the post address
• Write your own address clearly visible
• Avoid errors in the addresses of sender and recipient
• Ensure sufficient franking. The post will tell you the right tariff
• Send the documents via normal post
• After 3 weeks, ask about the status of processing your application. If the job ad explicitly asks you to desist from enquiries, you can wait for 4 to 5 weeks before asking

Literatures

• Ratgeber - Bewerbungsmappe

Last update: 12/09/2009