The Austrian Anschreiben is formal, structured and signed by hand: fixed paragraph order, Sie form, a salary line when asked. This guide covers conventions, paragraph-by-paragraph structure, an annotated template, common mistakes and FAQs.

Cover letter conventions in Austria

In Austria the cover letter is called the Anschreiben, and it is expected for nearly every formal application — private sector, public administration and apprenticeship (Lehrstelle) hiring alike. It is sent as a separate document ahead of the Lebenslauf, usually combined with it and your certificates (Zeugnisse) into one PDF for portal uploads, or as the first sheet of a printed Bewerbungsmappe when a posting asks for postal applications. One page is the hard limit, written in German unless the advertisement is in English.

The register is formal. Use the Sie form throughout, address a named contact with 'Sehr geehrte Frau [Surname]' or 'Sehr geehrter Herr [Surname]', and reserve 'Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren' for cases where no contact is named. Austrian business correspondence is polite and protocol-conscious, so a conventional structure reads as competence: introduction, motivation, qualifications, salary expectation if requested, then a courteous close with a handwritten signature.

What to include, paragraph by paragraph

An Austrian screener expects the letter to prove three things quickly: that you understood the Stellenanzeige (job posting), that you meet its stated requirements, and that you have handled the formalities. Open by naming the position and where you saw it:

Open with the position and the source. Name the exact Stelle and the channel — the company portal, an Austrian job board or an agency — plus a reference number (Kennziffer) if the ad carries one. One sentence of introduction: who you are and what you currently do.
Give your motivation. Explain why this company and this role, in that order. Austrian employers expect a written Bewerbungsmotivation that engages with the actual posting rather than generic enthusiasm, so reference something specific: the team, the product, the location.
Match qualifications to the requirements. Take the ad's required qualifications (Anforderungsprofil) and answer them one by one with your evidence — certifications, languages, tools. State your German level honestly if you are applying from abroad, and include your salary expectation (Gehaltsvorstellung) whenever the ad asks for one.
Close with documents and signature. Say which documents are attached — Lebenslauf, Zeugnisse, diplomas — give your earliest start date, thank the reader, and close with 'Mit freundlichen Grüßen'. If you print the letter, sign it by hand before scanning.

What an Austrian recruiter expects to see first: the position title, a reference to the Stellenanzeige, and — when requested — a concrete salary figure.

Austria cover letter example (structure breakdown)

The template below is a working Austrian Anschreiben in placeholder form. The paragraphs are deliberately in the conventional order, and the annotations explain what each block signals:

Betrifft: Ihre Stellenanzeige — [Job Title] (Kennziffer [Reference Number])

[Introduction: state the position, where you saw the ad, and your interest. Be formal and precise.]

[Motivation: explain why you are interested in this role and company. Reference the specific job posting (Stellenanzeige).]

[Qualifications: highlight your most relevant experience and skills. Connect them to the requirements in the job description. Mention language proficiency and salary expectation if requested.]

[Closing: express enthusiasm for an interview, thank the reader, reference attached CV and documents.]

Austria cover letter tips

Why each part works. 'Betrifft:' with the position and Kennziffer mirrors how Austrian postings are filed, so your letter lands against the right vacancy. The formal salutation shows you know the Sie convention. The middle paragraphs run motivation, then qualifications mapped to the requirements — the order an Austrian screener is trained to look for. The salary line answers the ad's request directly, the closing names your attached documents, and the hand-signed block completes the Bewerbung formalities.

Mistakes that get cover letters ignored in Austria

Using the wrong level of formality. First names and the du form belong to friends, not applications — unless the ad explicitly invites a casual pitch. Stick to Sie and a full-name salutation.
Skipping the salary expectation when it was requested. Austrian and many international ads ask for Gehaltsvorstellung; leaving it blank looks like you have not read the posting. Give a reasoned figure or range.
Sending an English letter to a German-language ad. Write in the language of the posting. If the role needs English, the ad will say so — then English is fine, but still keep the formal structure.
Letting the letter drift past one page or restating the Lebenslauf. The Anschreiben argues your motivation; the CV lists the facts.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to write the cover letter in German?

For German-language postings, yes — a German letter with clear, correct formality is expected. International companies advertising in English will usually accept (and prefer) an English letter, but keep the same structured format either way.

Must I include a salary expectation?

Whenever the advertisement asks for one, yes — include a specific figure or a well-justified range in the qualifications or closing paragraph. If the ad does not ask, it is still common practice to state one briefly, since Austrian employers treat pay as a normal part of a formal application.

Is a photo required on my application?

Not on the cover letter — the photo belongs to the CV. Austrian practice still commonly includes a passport-style photo on the Lebenslauf, and omitting it is noticed, although it is not a legal requirement.

Should I print and sign the letter, or upload a PDF?

A PDF upload is standard for portals, where a typed name is accepted. If the posting asks for postal documents, print the letter and add a handwritten signature before scanning.

Austria Cover Letter Template 2026 — Format, Examples & Free Download