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Your cover letter – what motivates you?
Application guide · part 3 of 5
The journey to finding the right job begins long before you submit your application. In our five-part guide, we will walk you through the process from your initial exploration all the way to the interview:
1. Before you apply – are we a match?
2. Your CV
3. Your cover letter (You're here)
Do I even need a cover letter these days?
Your cover letter is your chance to stand out. Use it to explain why this specific role appeals to you and to draw attention to the most relevant parts of your CV. Feel free to mention responsibilities or project successes that are relevant to the job posting.
Many job application processes today no longer require a traditional cover letter. However, we at zeb still recommend including one because it’s your chance to show us what drives you and why we’re a good fit for each other. This is exactly the kind of information that rarely comes across in a CV alone.
What to include
Rather than repeating your CV, focus on:
- your motivation for this specific position and for the company,
- specific experiences or projects that are relevant to the job posting and
- keywords from the job posting – incorporated naturally, not listed one after another
Describe in detail relevant achievements, such as your contribution to a project in a field related to the advertised position. This gives us insight into who you are and where your strengths lie.
Avoid clichés such as “I am writing to apply for …” and refrain from simply repeating information from your CV. We read many cover letters and can usually tell right away whether a candidate has genuinely engaged with the role.
Make a connection to zeb
Instead of making general statements such as “I find the company exciting”, describe what specifically appeals to you about zeb. Perhaps it’s our industry focus on financial services, our project culture or a particular topic we’re working on. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our career page, corporate benefits page or our LinkedIn profile. They can provide valuable insights and inspiration for crafting an authentic cover letter.
Format
Keep your cover letter to one page and address it directly to the contact person named in the job posting.
💡 Tip on AI tools: ChatGPT and similar tools can help you organize your ideas and refine your writing, but avoid relying on generic, ready-made text. Your personal voice and concrete examples make all the difference.
Stay tuned for part 4:
After submitting your application, you’ll often be invited to take an online assessment. In the next section, we’ll show you what to expect and how to prepare effectively.
👉 Next up: Your online assessment at zeb
More blog posts
Any questions about your career opportunities?
Then contact our Talent Attraction team here. We look forward to talking to you.
