Opening lines for your application: examples that don't sound like clichés
The first sentence of your cover letter decides whether anyone keeps reading. Still, most applications start identically and boringly. Here is why the classic opener is weak and what an opening that sticks looks like.
Why "Hiermit bewerbe ich mich" doesn't work
Hiermit bewerbe ich mich auf die ausgeschriebene Stelle als ...
This sentence says nothing HR doesn't already know. They are holding your application, they know the role. You waste the most important line on pure formality. Just as tired: "Mit großem Interesse habe ich Ihre Stellenanzeige gelesen." ("I read your job posting with great interest.")
What a good opening line does
A strong opening immediately answers one of three questions:
- Why this company specifically? Reference something concrete.
- What do you bring? A relevant strength or a result.
- Why now? A plausible reason for the move.
Examples that work better
With a reference to the company:
Ihr Anspruch, Bewerbungen wieder persönlich statt anonym zu machen, deckt sich genau mit der Art, wie ich Personalarbeit verstehe.
With a concrete result:
In den letzten drei Jahren habe ich ein Vertriebsteam von vier auf zwölf Personen aufgebaut. Genau diese Aufbauarbeit reizt mich an Ihrer Position.
With a clear reason:
Nach fünf Jahren im Agenturumfeld suche ich den Schritt ins Inhouse-Marketing, und Ihre Stelle trifft genau das, worauf ich hinarbeite.
Three rules for the first sentence
- Concrete beats generic. One detail about the company beats any cliché.
- Start with the reader, not with yourself. "Sie" and the company first, not "ich".
- No subjunctive. "Ich würde gerne" ("I would like to") sounds hesitant. Write directly.
Find the opening that fits you
Finding the perfect first sentence often takes the most time. The Civly cover letter generator suggests fitting openings based on your profile and the job posting, concrete instead of generic, and builds the letter to be DIN 5008 compliant from the start.
If the posting doesn't name a contact person, Cover letter without a named contact helps you get the salutation before it right.