Appendices to the application: This belongs in it

The application also includes attachments such as references or certificates that prove your degrees and qualifications. Which attachments are mandatory and which are optional? Here you will find tips for optimizing and presenting the systems.

Regardless of whether the documents are sent by post or e-mail: Enclosures are mandatory with the application . Occasionally, you will also be asked to bring the application documents with you to the interview. In any case, the question arises as to how the systems should be designed. Otherwise, if handled incorrectly, the documents can end up on the discard pile early. For the perfect application , it is therefore advisable to consider the following points.

What does the term “attachments” mean in an application?

Attachments or attachments include all documents that are attached in addition to the direct cover letter. This applies to a classic application in printed form as well as to an online application.

What belongs in the facilities?

In any case, the curriculum vitae belongs in the appendix . It is also common to send relevant references, job references, certificates or, depending on the job, work samples. In the case of applicants with professional experience, however, the last school report has little meaning and does not have to be attached. On the other hand, it is compulsory for young professionals . In the case of an online application by e-mail, the cover letter can be attached as a file or can be included directly in the body of the e-mail.

What is the correct order of attachments?

Which system should you start with, which one should you finish with? The order is by no means arbitrary, but should correspond to the usual standards:

The cover letter comes first – in classic application folders it is on top. Although the cover letter is not one of the attachments, it should always be the first document that the HR manager sees.
The CV follows the cover letter . It should be designed as precisely and clearly as possible and only exceed two pages in exceptional cases.
Relevant (work) references or certificates can be found after the CV. The order of the documents should be based on the CV. The antichronological arrangement is optimal there too. Means: The most recent certificate is the first in the series, the oldest certificate is the last document.

Work samples are at the very end of the attachments. If they are particularly extensive, they can also be stored in a separate file or folder.

How are the attachments correctly listed on the cover sheet?

In the past, the plants were named in full. A list of all documents was made in the form of a list of attachments on the cover sheet or in the cover letter. This is rather unusual today , since it is known what an application consists of. However, a list of the systems on the cover sheet is by no means a mistake. You can still find this suggestion in numerous templates for applications. However, if you want to name your investments, it is better to do so on the cover sheet than in the cover letter. Mention them, if any, in the order you follow when compiling your application portfolio. Do not list each certificate individually, but name generic terms such as CV, job references or training certificates.

Which certificates are attached to the application?

If the complete application documents are required in the job advertisement , this means that all relevant certificates must be attached. However, the elementary school certificate is never relevant, the last school certificate only for job starters.

If this note is not noted, i.e. the complete documents are not required, the situation is a little different. The most recent job reference remains necessary in any case. Alternatively, an interim reference from the current employer can be attached. Please do not enclose interim references from previous employers – because only the final references from there are of interest. All other supporting documents should be relevant to the employer. If there is an above-average number of certificates overall, the selection can be reduced for the time being. You can then mention in a sentence in the cover letter that further documents can be submitted later if required.

What about certificates and additional qualifications as an attachment in the application?

These documents are not legally required . If necessary, you should refer to the job advertisement here. If they are relevant to the position, it still makes sense to enclose them or at least to refer to their existence in the cover letter. This underlines the credibility of the CV.

Which attachments belong in an online application?

Strictly speaking, a distinction must be made here between an application by e-mail and an application via an online application portal. In principle, the same attachments belong to the application in both variants as in the classic postal version. In particular, the online application by e-mail is to be treated like a printed application in this respect.

When applying online via a company-owned applicant portal , however, the special requirements of the respective company must be observed. As a rule, it is clearly communicated there which systems are required and which are not. It is possible that the different components of the application have to be uploaded via separate masks.

How do you correctly attach references to an application by e-mail?

It is particularly important here that an overall document is created. Under no circumstances may each certificate be attached individually, but a single PDF document must be created. However, the file size should be kept within limits and not exceed the 5 MB limit (even if this limit is becoming less important thanks to technical advances). Otherwise it can happen that the mail is automatically sorted out and therefore not read. It is therefore advisable not to make color scans, but better to make black and white ones, as these require less storage space. The document should be attached in PDF format so that anyone can open it.

Which attachments do I enclose as a career starter?

It is often emphasized in application tips that the application of a student or young professional is not significantly different from that of an experienced professional . That is correct in principle. There is no difference with regard to the letter of application, order and mentioning of the attachments in the application. For this reason, job starters should also attach attachments to their application.

The CV is mandatory, references are also desired. If there are no job references, it is advisable to enclose internship references and confirmations of temporary jobs. In any case, the last school report or, if already available, a training certificate should be attached.