1) Greeting and opening
Use a professional salutation and state the role immediately. Keep your first lines direct and relevant to the vacancy.
Taal-intentie: sollicitatiebrief in Engels
Sollicitatiebrief in Engels schrijven zonder letterlijke vertaalfouten
Een goede Engelse sollicitatiebrief is kort, direct en resultaatgericht. Veel Nederlandse kandidaten verliezen impact door te letterlijk vertalen. Op deze pagina vind je een duidelijke opbouw, copy-ready voorbeelden en fout-naar-goed correcties waarmee je sneller een professionele English cover letter schrijft.
English-ready examples
Dutch-to-English mistake fixes
Direct generator workflow
Quick English cover letter checklist
1
Address the role and company directly in your opening.
2
Show 1-2 quantified results from relevant experience.
3
Use clear, direct English instead of literal Dutch translations.
4
Close with a confident call to action for an interview.
Structuur
Opbouw van een sterke English cover letter
2) Why you fit the role
Connect your experience to what the employer asks. Mention concrete outcomes instead of broad claims.
3) Why this company
Show that you understand the company context. Keep this short, specific, and tied to your motivation.
4) Closing and next step
End politely with confidence. Ask for an interview and thank the reader for their consideration.
Copy-ready content
Sollicitatiebrief in Engels voorbeelden per onderdeel
Opening example (operations/admin)
I am excited to apply for the Administrative Specialist position at [Company]. With five years of experience in process coordination and document control, I have consistently improved workflow accuracy and turnaround times in fast-paced teams.
Body example (customer support)
In my current role, I handle high-volume customer cases across email and phone while maintaining a 9.1/10 customer satisfaction score. I also reduced average case resolution time by 17% by introducing a clearer escalation process.
Closing example (starter/junior)
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my internship experience and proactive mindset can contribute to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Fout naar goed
Veelgemaakte fouten bij een Engelse sollicitatiebrief
Literal Dutch translation
Wrong: With this letter I apply for the function...
Better: I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company].
Generic motivation without evidence
Wrong: I am motivated and hardworking.
Better: I improved monthly reporting speed by 30% by redesigning the internal workflow.
Too informal tone for corporate roles
Wrong: Hi team, I would love to join your company!
Better: Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] role.
Weak closing without action
Wrong: I hope you like my letter.
Better: I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team.
Kwaliteitscheck
English letter best-practice rules
- Keep your letter concise: usually 3 to 5 short paragraphs.
- Use active voice and clear verbs.
- Avoid long multi-clause sentences.
- Match keywords from the vacancy naturally.
- Check grammar and spelling before sending.
Bronnen en checkdatum
Richtlijnen gecheckt op 8 maart 2026
Indeed NL - How to write an English cover letterhttps://nl.indeed.com/carrieregids/cv-motivatiebrief/sollicitatiebrief-engelsResume.io - Cover letter examples and structure patternshttps://resume.io/cover-letter-examplesZety - Cover letter examples and best-practice formattinghttps://zety.com/cover-letter-examplesPurdue OWL - Professional correspondence conventionshttps://owl.purdue.edu/owl/job_search_writing/job_search_letters/index.html
Veelgestelde vragen over sollicitatiebrief in Engels
How long should a sollicitatiebrief in English be?+
Usually 3 to 5 short paragraphs are enough. Focus on role fit, relevant achievements, and a clear closing call to action.
Can I translate my Dutch letter into English directly?+
It is better to rewrite than translate literally. Direct translation often sounds unnatural. Use clear English phrasing and role-specific examples.
What is the best opening for an English cover letter?+
State the role and your fit immediately, for example: 'I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company].'
Should I include my CV with an English letter?+
Yes. Pair your English letter with a matching English CV so your profile, terminology, and tone stay consistent.
Is a motivatiebrief the same as an English cover letter?+
In practice they serve the same goal: explain motivation and fit for the role. In English applications, the expected format is typically called a cover letter.
Ready to apply in English?
Write your English letter and pair it with a matching CV
Start in the generator, finalize your wording, and align your letter with an English CV for one consistent application.