Swiss Motivation Letter: How to Write One (+ Example)

In Switzerland an application is not just a CV. The motivation letter (cover letter) carries as much weight as the résumé, and it is often the first thing a recruiter reads. A generic letter sent to every employer is one of the most common reasons a strong candidate gets passed over. This guide shows you how to structure an effective Swiss motivation letter, with the right tone, the right length and a worked example you can adapt to your own profile.

What the motivation letter is actually for

In Switzerland the letter has a precise job: to connect your profile to the specific role. The CV lists the facts; the letter explains what they mean. It answers three questions in the recruiter's mind:

• ●Why do you want this particular role, at this particular company?
• ●What concrete value do you bring?
• ●Why should they choose you over another candidate with a similar CV?

Most Swiss employers expect a letter even when the advert does not explicitly ask for one. Sending the CV alone signals a lack of care. The letter is also indirect proof of your written language skills — in the language of the canton you are applying in (German, French or Italian, depending on the region).

The structure: how to lay it out

The Swiss letter is short and orderly: one page only, never more. The standard structure is:

1. 1.Header — your details at the top, then the company's details and the place with the date (format 14.05.2026).
2. 2.Subject line — clear and specific, with the exact job title: Application for the position of Commercial Specialist (80-100%).
3. 3.Opening — a sentence that says immediately why you are writing; avoid tired phrases like "I am writing to apply".
4. 4.Body (two paragraphs) — the first links your experience to the needs of the role; the second explains why this company in particular appeals to you.
5. 5.Closing — your availability for an interview and a sober sign-off.
6. 6.Signature — your name and, ideally, a scanned signature.

State your availability (for example 80-100%) and, if you are a non-Swiss citizen, your work permit (B, C, G): for a Swiss employer this is expected, practical information.

The right tone and length

The Swiss tone is professional, direct and understated. No exaggerated enthusiasm, no pompous phrasing — but no coldness either. Aim for substance and respect. Three guiding principles:

• ●Facts, not adjectives. Instead of "I am highly motivated and dynamic", write what you did: "over the past three years I managed a portfolio of 120 German- and Italian-speaking clients".
• ●Brevity. Three to four paragraphs, around 250-300 words. The reader has little time.
• ●Personalisation. The company name and one real detail about it should appear in the text. If the letter would work for a different employer, it is too generic.

Address a named person where possible (Dear Ms Keller) rather than a faceless "To whom it may concern".

A worked example

Here is a template you can adapt to your own profile:

> Subject: Application for the position of Commercial Specialist (80-100%)

>

> Dear Ms Keller,

>

> Your advert for a commercial specialist at Alpina Transport caught my attention straight away: your growth in cross-border logistics matches exactly the field I have worked in for the past eight years.

>

> In my current role at [company] I coordinate order management for more than 120 clients across Switzerland and Italy, and I cut processing times by 18% by introducing a new workflow. I work in German and Italian at a professional level and am used to bridging clients and suppliers across both languages — a skill that seems central to the role you describe.

>

> What draws me to Alpina Transport in particular is your strong regional roots and your focus on customer service. I would like to contribute to that standard with my experience and my immediate availability (permit B).

>

> I would welcome the chance to discuss my application in an interview. Thank you for your consideration.

>

> Kind regards,

> Sarah Keller

Notice how every sentence ties a fact from the CV to a need of the company. That is what separates an effective letter from a polite formality.

The most common mistakes to avoid

• ●A generic letter reused for every company: this is mistake number one.
• ●Repeating the CV word for word instead of explaining what the experience means.
• ●Too long: beyond one page, you lose the reader's attention.
• ●Language errors: in a letter they count double. Have it proofread if you are unsure of the formal language.
• ●The wrong tone: neither servile nor arrogant.
• ●Forgetting the subject line and work permit: details Swiss recruiters expect.

Write your motivation letter now

A good letter comes from the meeting of your profile and the right company, not from a copied template. Build your Swiss application with CVSwiss: we guide you step by step through a CV and motivation letter that respect local standards, so you can send a complete, ready-to-use dossier for the Swiss job market in minutes.