You’ve polished your CV, your GitHub is clean, and you’re scrolling through jobs in the EU. You find the perfect role at a startup in Berlin or a scale-up in Warsaw. Then you see it: “Cover Letter (Optional).”
Is it really optional? Let’s be blunt: no.
In the European tech market, “optional” is a test. It’s your first chance to prove you’re a serious candidate who can communicate, not just a CV-blaster. A great cover letter is your personal introduction, and it’s what convinces a human to spend more than six seconds on your application.
Here’s how to write one that actually gets you the interview.
✍️ The European Tech Format: Clean, Formal, and Direct
First, let’s clear up some confusion.
- Photos? While in some traditional German or Spanish industries a photo on your CV is still common, in tech, it’s a distraction. Recruiters are trained against bias. Stick to the US/UK model for tech: no photos, no marital status, no date of birth. Let your skills do the talking.
- Formality: European business culture, especially in jobs in Germany, leans more formal. Always use “Dear Mr. Müller,” or “Dear Hiring Team” if you can’t find a name. Avoid “Hi” or “Hey!”
- Length: One page. Period.
The 3-Paragraph Formula for Success
Your goal is to be read, so make it easy. Use a simple, three-paragraph structure that answers the only three questions a hiring manager has.
Paragraph 1: “Why You” (The Hook)
Don’t waste their time. Your first sentence must state:
- Who you are (e.g., “a mid-level Python developer”).
- The exact role you’re applying for (e.g., “the Backend Engineer – Payments role, ref: #1234”).
- Where you found it (e.g., “as advertised on your careers page”).
The rest of this paragraph is your “hook.” Why are you excited?
Good Hook: “I am writing to apply for the Junior React Developer position. As a long-time user of [Company’s Product], I was thrilled to see an opportunity to bring my experience in building responsive UI components to your innovative team.”
Paragraph 2: “Why Me” (The Proof)
This is the most important part. Do not just repeat your CV. This is where you connect your skills to their problems.
The best way? Go to the job ad, pick the top 3 requirements, and mirror them.
| Their Job Ad Says… | Your Cover Letter Says… |
| “Experience with AWS and CI/CD” | “In my current role, I was responsible for deploying our main app, cutting our build time by 20% using a new CI/CD pipeline I helped implement.” |
| “Strong problem-solving skills” | “My recent project involved refactoring a legacy module, which improved API response times by 300ms. I diagnosed the bottleneck and led the fix.” |
| “Experience in agile teams” | “As a member of a 10-person agile team, I actively participate in all sprint planning, retros, and daily stand-ups, consistently delivering my tickets on time.” |
Paragraph 3: “Why Us” (The Close)
This is the part everyone gets lazy on, and it shows. This is where you prove you’re not just mass-applying. You must show you’ve done your research.
- Did they just get new funding?
- Did they launch a new product you admire?
- Does their company mission (e.g., “sustainability in tech”) resonate with you?
Good Close: “I am particularly impressed by [Company Name]’s recent launch of [Product Name] and your commitment to open-source tools. I believe my skills in [Your Skill] would be a perfect fit to help you achieve your goals for the next quarter. I have attached my CV for your review and am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.”
The Recruiter’s Perspective
When you work with a recruitment agency get-talent.eu in Europe or a staffing agency in the EU, they’ll tell you the same thing: we can get your CV on the desk, but your cover letter is what makes them want to talk to you. It shows professionalism, high motivation, and clear communication—three skills no code test can measure.
Take the extra 20 minutes. It’s the highest-ROI activity in your job search.
References
- Europass (European Union): How to write a good cover letter
- Novoresume: Should You Add a Photo to Your Resume in 2025?
- CVhero: Job Application Photographs: Tips and Guidelines