A short letter sent with a résumé or CV that explains why the candidate wants the role and why they suit it.
A cover letter introduces the candidate to an employer and asks them to consider the application. England’s National Careers Service describes it as a short letter, usually three to five paragraphs, and advises including one, written afresh for every job, whenever you apply with a résumé. The European Union’s Europass sets a limit of one page and suggests one paragraph on why you are motivated to apply, one on why you suit the position and one on why the employer suits you, drawing on examples from the résumé that are relevant to the job.
In French, the same document is the lettre de motivation, which English listings from Switzerland sometimes call a motivation letter. The Swiss careers guidance site orientation.ch lists it first in a standard application file, before the résumé, work certificates and diplomas, and notes that some employers also ask for a handwritten letter, a video or samples of work.
In job listings
Listings ask for a cover letter mainly in internships and apprenticeships, among them Swiss watchmaking and mechanics apprenticeships, and in atelier roles such as leather goods in France. Some internship listings also ask for availability dates. See current roles that ask for a cover letter.
