How to Contact Companies in Germany to Get a Job – A Practical Guide (2025)
Define your goal clearly:
Are you applying for a specific advertised position (Stellenanzeige) or sending a speculative application (Initiativbewerbung)?
Research the company:
Look up its size, current projects, products, corporate values and culture. This helps you connect your skills to their needs in a convincing way.
Create a professional email address:
For example:surname.firstname@provider.de
Avoid nicknames, gimmicks or random numbers. (TestHelden)
Prepare your documents:
CV in PDF format
Motivation letter
References and certificates
Combine them into one single file with your name, e.g.:Salama_Ali_Bewerbung.pdf. (workwise.io)
Match the keywords:
Make sure important keywords from the job description appear in your CV and cover letter, because many employers use ATS / CV parsing systems to pre-screen applications. (die-bewerbungsschreiber.de)
Element – What to include – Cultural notes
Subject line (Betreff)
Content:
Job ID + job title, e.g.Bewerbung als IT-Systemadministrator (Ref. 1245)
orInitiativbewerbung als …
Note:
A clear, concrete subject significantly increases the chance that your email will be opened. (TestHelden)
Greeting
Content:
“Sehr geehrte Frau / Sehr geehrter Herr [Title] Surname,”
Note:
Always include academic titles such as Dr., Prof.
“Hi” or first-name-only greetings are usually too informal for a first professional contact in Germany.
Introduction (about 3 lines)
Content:
Refer briefly to the job ad, or start with a specific achievement that fits the role (KPIs, certifications, awards).
Note:
German business style values brevity, clarity and objectivity. (Planet Depos)
Value proposition paragraph
Content:
Highlight three core competencies that fit a current project or need of the company and back them up with short, concrete numbers where possible.
Motivation paragraph
Content:
Why did you choose this particular company?
Link your own values and goals to the firm’s strategy, products or culture, demonstrating that you’ve done real research.
Closing
Content:
Offer to attend an interview at a time that suits them.
Short sentence of thanks.
Standard German closing:
“Mit freundlichen Grüßen” + your (typed) name and contact details.
Attachments
Content:
A single merged PDF, ideally not larger than 5 MB.
Note:
Avoid sending Word files or many separate image attachments – it looks unprofessional and messy.
Follow-up
Content:
If you get no reply within 7–10 days, send a polite follow-up email.
After about two weeks, you may – if appropriate – follow up with a short phone call. (mynejo.com)
(This template is intentionally in German, as this is the language you will usually write to German employers in.)
Betreff: Bewerbung als IT-Systemadministrator (Ref. 1245)
Sehr geehrter Herr Schneider,
mit großem Interesse habe ich auf Ihrer Karriereseite gelesen, dass Sie für das
Rechenzentrum in Flensburg einen IT-Systemadministrator suchen. In meiner
aktuellen Position bei ABC-Solutions konnte ich durch die Migration von 150 +
Servern auf eine Container-Architektur die Ausfallzeiten um 32 % senken und somit
jährlich 140 Tsd. € Betriebskosten einsparen.
Meine Expertise in VMware, Kubernetes und IT-Sicherheitskonzepten passt
hervorragend zu Ihrem geplanten Hybrid-Cloud-Projekt 2025. Besonders reizt mich
Ihr Fokus auf nachhaltige Rechenzentren und die Möglichkeit, in interdisziplinären
Scrum-Teams zu arbeiten.
Gern überzeuge ich Sie in einem persönlichen Gespräch von meinem Mehrwert.
Über eine Einladung freue ich mich.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Ali Salama
Tel. +49 1575 2173357
E-Mail ali.salama@example.de
Anlagen: Lebenslauf, Zeugnisse, Zertifikate
Betreff: Nachfrage zu meiner Bewerbung als … (gesendet am 12.05.2025)
Sehr geehrte Frau Dr. Müller,
ich möchte höflich nach dem aktuellen Stand meiner Bewerbung fragen.
Die Position entspricht exakt meinem Erfahrungsschwerpunkt, und ich bin
weiterhin sehr interessiert. Für Rückfragen stehe ich jederzeit zur Verfügung.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Ali Salama
Keep it short:
The email body should stay at ≤ 180 words; the detailed information belongs in the attachments.
Visual layout:
Leave one blank line between paragraphs; use only standard fonts and black or dark grey text.
Timing:
Send your emails between Tuesday and Thursday before 10:00 a.m. – statistics show higher open rates at these times.
Language quality:
Make sure your text is free of grammar and spelling mistakes. Avoid excessive exclamation marks, and double-check the names of the contact person and company.
Credibility:
Do not attach unverified certificates or exaggerate your experience. Background checks are quite common in Germany.
LinkedIn/XING:
Send a contact request to the hiring manager or team lead with a short personal note (no more than about 400 characters).
Digital job fairs:
Use live chat with HR staff, ask questions and exchange business cards or LinkedIn profiles.
Phone calls:
A short call can be useful to clarify missing key details (e.g. salary range, team size, location) before taking the time to write a full application.
The secret to successful messages to companies in Germany is clarity, brevity and relevance: a precise subject line, a formal greeting, a measurable value proposition, genuine motivation – and a polite follow-up.
If you tailor each email to the specific company and position, you greatly increase your chances of being invited to an interview and you demonstrate professionalism from the very first contact. Good luck with your job search in Germany!
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may not be fully verified. Please consider this guide as an initial reference only and always consult the relevant authorities and professionals for binding, up-to-date information.
