To apply for a job in Austria, the application documents should be written in German, unless the job advertisement requires applications to be made in another language. Applications are almost always sent by email or online. Very often, you will need to fill in online forms. It is also common practice to send applications to firms which have not advertised a vacancy (speculative/unsolicited application) – see the section ‘Working in another Member State/Finding a job’.
A complete application pack includes:
a letter of application (cover letter), a CV (curriculum vitae) or Europass CV, recommendations (references), qualifications (e.g. degree, professionally relevant certificates), evidence of attendance of relevant courses, attestation of formal and informal skills, e.g. in the form of skills profiles, letter(s) of recommendation (where available) and an application photograph.
The letter of application / cover letter:
Be sure to find out the name of your contact person in the company (e.g. the HR manager) and address him or her by the correct title (e.g. Dear Dr Müller or Dear Dr Maria Müller). Refer to the job advertisement or a telephone call in your letter of application / cover letter. Draw attention to your strongest points (professional experience, professional and personal qualifications, social skills motivation, commitment) and explain why you are the ideal candidate for this position. Request a personal interview.
Curriculum vitae or Europass CV:
Your curriculum vitae should be brief, concise and clearly laid out, presenting the key facts. It should preferably consist of no more than two – or even better, one – A4 sheet(s). Previous periods of employment should either begin with your first job and end with your most recent one, or vice versa. This also applies to the part covering your education and training.
The Europass CV is required by many companies and can provide great support in this context.
You can find further information, for example, at https://bewerbungsportal.ams.or.at/bewerbungsportal/ and https://europa.eu/europass/de.
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