Cover letters are business letters. In this respect, the application follows the DIN 5008, in which the “Writing and Formatting Rules for Word Processing” are summarized. You will find specific instructions on how to structure your letter and also on formatting, such as phone numbers or dates. Please note: The DIN 5008 is not a law and must, but rather a norm and therefore optional. We believe, on one hand, it is advisable to adhere to the DIN rules for your cover letter. On the other hand, feel free to expand beyond this framework.
Why and how strictly should you adhere to DIN 5008?
Yes, human beings are creatures of habit and prefer things to be easy. Imagine, for example, receiving dozens of letters every day, each with the subject line in a different position. The result: either you read through all the letters to figure out what they are about, or you painstakingly search for the subject line repeatedly.
There is certainly a more pleasant way – and this is where the DIN 5008 comes in: It provides an established structure that allows the recipient to quickly and easily navigate.
The DIN 5008 is a German standard that defines rules for the design of texts and documents in business and private correspondence. This standard, issued by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), serves as a guide for the formal design of letters, emails, protocols, and other documents to ensure a consistent and professional appearance.
The DIN 5008 covers aspects such as:
- Fonts and Font Sizes: Recommendations for font usage and sizes.
- Margins and Spacing: Setting margins and spacing to ensure an orderly layout.
- Line Spacing: Formatting guidelines for line spacing in different types of documents.
- Date and Time: Guidelines for the uniform writing of date and time indications.
- Address Field and Address: Design of the address field in letters and correct placement of the address.
- Subject Line: Instructions for formatting the subject line.
- Greeting and Salutation: Recommendations for greetings and closings in letters and emails.
- Tables and Lists: Formatting and arrangement of tables and lists.
The standard is regularly updated to meet the current requirements and developments in business communication. By adhering to the DIN 5008, companies and individuals can ensure that their documents are professionally and consistently designed, improving readability and comprehensibility.
A few glances from the recruiter at your application are enough to capture essential information such as your contact details or the job offer you are applying for. Grant the reader of your cover letter every second of their valuable time by adhering to the rules of the DIN 5008.
To ensure that you are optimally prepared for your job interview, you should also check out our tips for preparing for the interview. There you will find valuable information on common questions and how to effectively present your strengths and weaknesses.
Why should you allow yourself room for creativity when creating your application?
Despite all the rules, recommendations, and tips, your cover letter must also convey this aspect: your personality. Use the standards – but use them as a template where you can incorporate your own deviations when necessary: consciously, confidently, and purposefully.
In this sense, you will also notice in our application templates that we play a rather loose game with the DIN 5008. All the essential (and even non-essential) elements are roughly in place, following the familiar and easily accessible business letter structure. However, the framework allows for a fresh creative breeze that maintains professionalism and attracts attention with creativity.
How formally, conservatively, confidently, boldly, or even humorously you phrase your letter and choose your design depends on you and your character, as well as the industry and company. When applying in a design agency, you can certainly take more risks than in the finance department of a large corporation. Although – perhaps the recruiters there also appreciate a breath of fresh air?
In any case, here as there: Space and DIN 5008 do not exclude each other! You should follow the familiar structure of a business letter in the essential key points to ensure quick orientation - in text and design, you present yourself with all your skills and knowledge!
And always remember, when applying for a job, it's all about standing out and differentiating yourself from other applicants. If everyone strictly follows DIN 5008, your application will stand out positively if it professionally deviates from it while still structuring the content well and presenting it beautifully.
Are you still looking for the right design for your application documents?
Take a look around and discover high-quality application templates and resume templates that you can easily edit.
Helpful Articles on the Topic of Applying
At first glance, creating a high-quality application document may seem easy, but in reality, it is an art. We have compiled a collection of helpful articles that will not only help you create professional application documents but also prepare you for the job interview. You will learn about the possible questions you may be asked, how to present your strengths and weaknesses, and much more. In short, these articles will help you land the job you desire.
Articles to help you create a professional application:
- It all starts with preparation, including taking a photo for the application.
- How to create a professional photo for the application/resume yourself.
- You should know what distinguishes the German resume from the CV.
- Traditional resume template or modern resume template?
- Download resume template in Word for free.
- Structure of the cover letter.
- Structure of the resume.
- Preparing for the job interview. The most common questions you may encounter in the interview.
- Preparing for the job interview. Strengths and weaknesses.
Create application: strictly according to DIN 5008?
