Where can I find suitable job openings?
If you’re looking for a new job, you can find opportunities in a wide variety of places:
- at the Employment Agency
- through job postings by companies on the internet or in print media
- through a speculative or brief application
- at job and career fairs
- through recruitment consultancies and employment agencies
- through a job application
- through friends and acquaintances
Before starting an apprenticeship:
Choosing an apprenticeship position requires careful consideration. After all, you’re laying the foundation for your professional future. The German Trade Union Federation (DGB) provides clearly summarized guidance on career choices on its website.
After your apprenticeship:
During your apprenticeship or college studies, you’ve surely had the opportunity to explore your interests and develop your skills.
The next step is to ask yourself a few questions to analyze your individual situation:
- What is my educational background?
- What personal qualities do I possess?
- What continuing education courses have I completed?
- In which areas am I strong?
- In which areas am I weak?
The answers to these questions are the starting point for your job search. After all, your personal skill set should align as closely as possible with a job’s requirements. This means that if certain criteria are “must-haves” for a position, you should ideally be able to meet them.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t also apply for jobs whose requirements you don’t meet 100 percent. If there’s currently nothing suitable in the industry where you’ve worked so far, then take a look around in other industries as well. The most important thing here is that you must be able to explain why you want this job and why you’re the right person for it.
Application Materials—What Should I Keep in Mind?
Once you’ve found an interesting job posting, it’s time to apply. Whether you’re applying by mail or online, the key points to keep in mind are essentially the same. Your cover letter should be based on the strengths you identified at the beginning.
The Cover Letter
The cover letter is the heart of your application. Here, you introduce yourself to the company and clearly explain what appeals to you about the advertised position.
If you can capture the reader’s attention here and convincingly explain what you’re capable of and why you’re the right person for the job, you’ll be well on your way to landing your new job.
Here’s what you should keep in mind when writing your cover letter:
- Write an opening that’s interesting and makes the reader want to keep reading
- Explain briefly and concisely why you find the position exciting
- List two to three key reasons why you’re a good fit for the position
- Optionally, you can mention how you learned about the position (ad, interview, referral)
- State your available start date
- Write a friendly closing that shows you’d be happy to have an in-person interview
- Check the cover letter for both content and format: Spelling mistakes or coffee stains are an absolute no-go!
- The cover letter should not be longer than one page in total
The Resume
In your resume, you summarize the qualifications and experience you’ve gained so far in your academic and professional career.
It must include the following information:
- Personal Information
- Schools attended and degrees earned
- Vocational training and work experience
- Military or alternative service, voluntary social, cultural, or environmental service year, periods of childcare or parenting
- Professional development
- Non-professional continuing education
- Language certificates
- Volunteer and social engagement
You can organize your resume chronologically or by topic. However, it should always end with the location, date, and your signature.
A headshot should also be included with your resume. Keep in mind: The photo gives the viewer a very direct first impression of you. It also gives you the opportunity to stand out positively from others and make a favorable impression. You should therefore carefully consider what clothing to wear, what posture to adopt, and which framing and format are most suitable. Professionals at a photo studio can help you with this.
Next, you should attach the supporting documents to your application. These include, among other things:
- School transcripts
- Employment references
- Continuing education certificates
- Seminar certificates
- Letters of recommendation
If you’re submitting a written application, copies of the original documents are, of course, sufficient.
What should I keep in mind during the job interview?
If your application materials were successful, an interview usually follows. If you want to make a good impression, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Do thorough research on the company or organization beforehand
- Take a moment to reflect on why you’re particularly well-suited for the position and have the right arguments ready
- Check the general conditions: In the collective bargaining information, you can find salary scales, vacation entitlements, and much more. If you have further questions, you can contact your local IG Metall chapter
- Write down all the questions you’d like to ask your interviewer during the interview
- Plan your travel arrangements in advance and allow plenty of time: Being late is absolutely out of the question!
- Choose an outfit appropriate for the position and the company. But it’s also important that you feel comfortable. If you feel like you’re “dressed up,” you usually won’t come across as convincing.
What can I do after the interview?
Even though it’s not pleasant, now is the time to wait and see. Usually, at the end of the interview, it’s agreed upon who will contact whom and when. If that’s not the case, simply ask politely what the next steps are.
