Écrire une lettre de motivation avec l’IA : guide pour le marché suisse

The Cover Letter in Switzerland

Contrary to what some may think, the cover letter remains important in Switzerland. Approximately 70% of Swiss recruiters read it, particularly in formal sectors (banking, insurance, consulting, public administration).

The challenge: writing a personalised letter for each application is time-consuming. This is where AI can help — provided it is used correctly.

Swiss Conventions

The Swiss cover letter differs from French or German standards:

• Formal register throughout — Even in the tech sector, the tone remains formal
• 1 page maximum — Concise and well-structured
• Reference to the position — Job reference number if available
• Mention of work permit — For non-Swiss applicants, state your permit status
• Availability — The standard notice period in Switzerland is 3 months
• No salary expectations — Unless explicitly requested

Using AI Wisely

AI is an excellent starting point, not a finished product. Here is how to use it effectively:

1. Provide context — Your full profile + the job listing
2. Request a structure — Not a final text
3. Personalise — Add your own anecdotes and genuine motivations
4. Check the tone — Formal, professional, not too generic
5. Read it aloud — If it sounds robotic, rewrite it

Recommended Structure

The ideal structure for a Swiss cover letter:

1. Header — Your contact details, company, date, job reference
2. Opening — Why this position and company interest you (2–3 sentences)
3. Your value proposition — Relevant skills and experience (1 paragraph)
4. Cultural fit — What attracts you to the company (2–3 sentences)
5. Closing — Availability, interview request, formal sign-off

Personalising Without Losing Authenticity

The pitfall of AI is producing letters that are too generic. Here is how to maintain authenticity:

• Mention a specific project from the company that inspires you
• Share a relevant professional anecdote
• Explain your "why" — Not just your skills, but your motivation
• Adapt to the sector — Banking ≠ startup ≠ NGO

Mistakes to Avoid

• Copy-pasting without editing — Recruiters spot generic letters
• Being too informal — Even if the listing has a "casual" tone, remain formal
• Too long — 1 page, no more
• Exaggerating your skills — AI should not fabricate
• Skipping proofreading — AI makes contextual errors

Conclusion

AI is a powerful tool for speeding up the writing of cover letters, but it does not replace your personal touch. Use it as a foundation, personalise it, and respect Swiss conventions. Kandidat automates the technical part so you can focus on authenticity.