Have just finished your job training or studies? Are you looking for a first employment? Are you not satisfied with your current position and aim to find a new challenge? Have you just been given notice? If any of the above situations apply to you it is important to think twice and to act systematically, supported by a reliable and competent partner, in order to realize your future plans.

The right steps to your dream job:

1. Self Analysis/personal positioning

Clarify your strengths and weaknesses in order to determine your current standing. Based on this analysis, you can define your career targets and expectations and adjust your application accordingly.

2. The written application

Despite the best intentions, a great number of applicants fail because their application is highly unprofessional. Remember that your application is more than just a formality. It is rather a ’sample’ which provides vital information about yourself. 

Your application should include the following:

• An individual covering letter
• A professional application photograph
• An updated CV (containing bullet points listing your tasks for each position)
• Letters of reference (school and work)
• Any other documentation

3. The job- interview

You have cleared the first hurdle and have been invited for a job interview. This interview offers the opportunity of mutual familiarization. It is therefore important for your decision-making process to be well prepared and to perform the necessary follow-up work. 

Interview Preparation

• Preparation of a convincing profiling
• Gathering of information about the company
• Preparation of questions about the company, the vacancy, colleagues, etc.

The interview

1. Phase: Beginning of the Interview

• warm-up/small talk

2. Phase: Becoming acquainted with the applicant

• Profiling of the candidate
• Open questions/inconsistencies with written application, weaknesses
• Personal questions, training, special knowledge, professional experience

3. Phase: Informing the Applicant

• Information about company, position, future tasks, expectations, colleagues
• Attention: information about salary system/starting salary, additional benefits and career options are often not discussed before the second interview

4. Phase: End of the interview

• Arrangement of next steps

Follow-Up

Make notes of your impressions after the interview. This will help you during your decision-making process. Also with regard to your other applications – if there are any – it is important to reflect on the interview. Consider how you can possibly improve your application file/personal appearance and the possible reasons for an unsuccessful or unsatisfactory interview. 

4. Employment/Contract

Congratulations on your new job! Try to actively influence the preparation of your contract and to highlight the points that are important for you.

For further information about the applications please see:

• Interview languagehttp://www.arbeitszeugnis-info.de

adesta-events concerning applications