Employment for foreigners in Germany involves several stages: both the preparatory process – collecting documents and looking for jobs – and the process of finding an employer, sending your CV and being interviewed. How not to miss a chance and get a job of your dream? What can and can’t you put on your CV? How to compose a covering letter correctly? And in general, how to empress German employers? We will tell you in this article.
The ideal job seeker: what the employers are waiting for
Recruiters can go through hundreds of CVs for one single position. So if you really want to get the job, you should approach all stages of the employment process responsibly:- Write a brief but capacious CV.
- Write a meaningful covering letter.
- Get an interview.
Regulated professions (German: Reglementierte Berufe)
In order to be allowed to work in a regulated specialty you must have your professional qualifications recognized. Such professions in Germany are, for example, nurses, doctors or teachers.1.The individual approach to each vacancy.
One of the mistakes that jobseekers make is rushing to send out more CVs for different jobs. However, each CV requires an individual approach. Look at the employer’s requirements, embrace the style of the corporation, talk to them through the CV in their language and style. Check for errors – HR managers pay attention to this as well.2. Carefulness and accuracy.
The employer’s initial meeting with you will not be personal – his manager will first see your documents. They should be collected as required and put together in a certain order (if submitted in paper form). An electronic CV should also contain all the required list and be drawn up as applicable. A good quality photo, taken in accordance with the company dress code, will draw attention: employers will appreciate your serious approach. Keep in mind all the nuances when reading the vacancy; if it says that communication is by e-mail only, you shouldn’t call. If you want to know the outcome of your application, write to the e-mail address that was mentioned no earlier than 10-14 days after submitting the documents.3. Clarity and concise.
A covering (motivational) letter must be enclosed with your CV for the job you want to apply for. While the CV briefly mentions your work experience, qualifications, and where you have studied and developed your skills (a CV is usually read fluently), the covering letter should describe your advantages in a clear and concise way: why you should be hired for the position and what the employing company will get from you.4. Interest.
When going for a job interview, prepare for it. A German employer will appreciate it if you are aware of the activities the corporation conducts, know its history, read reviews, and be able to operate with this information. In this way, you can show that you are genuinely interested in the position and therefore you will be able to become a responsible employee. In addition, it will be easy for you to answer the question of why you want to join this particular company (corporation, firm).5. Honesty and the ability to evaluate yourself objectively.
The interview can last from 15 minutes to an hour and during this time you will be asked all kinds of questions. Perhaps the employer (manager) will ask about your strengths and your weaknesses. It would be a mistake to praise yourself, as well as to talk unnecessarily about your pain points. Be honest. Try to evaluate yourself appropriately, noting that you are a quick learner, correcting mistakes and always working on your weaknesses in an effort to improve.6. Strive for growth and development.
A German employer is unlikely to ask whether you have an understanding of the historical development of Germany or how friendly you are. But they do value coping skills, conflict management skills, teamwork skills and the desire to develop in your chosen profession. If you are given the chance to ask questions about the company during the interview, don’t say there are none, just ask! But inquire about the possibility of advanced training, internships, on-the-job training. Do not immediately raise a question about the length of vacation or the salary level.Job search: tips for jobseekers
When you are looking for a suitable vacancy, remember that it is a lengthy process, and it will only be successful if you are taking a responsible approach to it. Also, don’t forget that you are chosen by a person, and rejection may have nothing to do with your professional qualities, work experience or skills. It is simply someone else’s subjective decision. Try to learn about all the standards of applying for a CV and being interviewed so that you can meet them as much as possible. The managers of our agency will be able to help you at any stage:- they will go through all the information resources with vacancies;
- they will select the most suitable ones according to your preferences and education;
- they will help you with writing your CV and covering letter;
- they will give a piece of advice about the interview process and look at all possible questions you might have to deal with.