How to Apply? Workshop for International Master Students, 30 October 2015 Contact:

Transcription

1 How to Apply? Workshop for International Master Students, 30 October 2015 Contact:

2 Agenda (1) Introduction to the German Application Style (2) Finding a Position (3) Preparing an Application Cover Letter CV/Resume (4) Application Process (5) Outlook Useful Links 2

3 Introduction (1) 3

4 Introduction (2) Different cultures different tastes Still in every culture a decision regarding a job position is based on two things: Formal Requirements Personal Opinion Objective for today s Workshop: Hands-on advice on how to apply according to German formal standards Raise your awareness for the recipient s personal opinion 4

5 Introduction (3) German Communication & Behaviour It is generally seen as a sign of respect to Say Sie unless offered Du Shake hands to greet someone Address people with their last name Address academic titles in written/spoken language Indicate academic degrees only when writing a letter (address field) Frau/Herr Schmitt Mrs./Mr. Schmitt Herr Professor Schmitt Frau Dr. Schmitt Professor Schmitt/ Dr. Schmitt To/An Herrn Peter Schmitt, M.Sc. To/An Frau Dipl.-Kff. Petra Schmitt 5

6 Introduction (4) German Communication & Behaviour It is generally seen as a sign of respect to Be punctual (inform someone if you are late) Be committed Plan ahead and respect deadlines Be patient allow people time to react and respond 6

7 Finding a Hiwi or Internship (1) There are many search engines, e.g. RWTH Jobbörse Jobpilot Jobs.de Monster Careerjet Stepstone Stellenanzeigen.de MeineStadt JobScout24 FH Aachen Jobportal Maschijobs See also our website: 7

8 Finding a Hiwi or Internship (2) Blackboards Websites of the institutes/companies Go to Karriere (Career) or Stellenangebote and then to Studentische Hilfskräfte (Hiwi) or Praktikum Examples: Fraunhofer IPT WZL Hiwi Stellen IAM Hiwi Stellen All Institutes of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering 8

9 Finding a Hiwi or Internship (3) WZL Hiwi Stellen 9

10 Preparing an Application (1) Once you have found an interesting position, take your time and prepare carefully! Read all requirements carefully Compare the requirements with your profile and experience Ask yourself, why are you interested in that position or institution? Check in advance, before you apply, whether your language skills are sufficient 10

11 Preparing an Application (2) Example: Hiwi at the WZL Research Area/Department Job Description Requirements/Applicant s Profile Contact/Organisation 11

12 Cover Letter (1) Structure Maximum one page Usually contains three parts 1. Introduction Why are you interested in the institution and position? 2. Main part Description of your experiences with relation to the job 3. Conclusion summarize why you are eligible for the position based on your experience Demonstrate your attention to: Research Area/Department Job Description Requirements/Applicants Profile Contact/Organisation 12

13 Cover Letter (2) General Advice Write as much as you need but as less as possible! The challenge is to make it precise with the KISS-formula: Keep It Short and Simple For every position carefully prepare an individual letter Use Word spell/grammar check Let a friend double-check spelling/grammar Stick to one language do not mix German and English Sleep over it and review before you send it! 13

14 Cover Letter (3) Your Cover Letter An Example 14

15 Cover Letter (4) What you should NOT mention or do in your application Start with "To Whom it May Concern or Dear Sir or Madam. If you use these words as a default greeting, particularly when the name of the appropriate addressee has been given in the job description, would be one of the worst missteps. Give company s or phone numbers, or unserious addresses as your contact information Lack of text structure Too long sentences, mistakes, wrong typeface Too much technical jargon Multi-page cover letter You can call me anytime Quotes from the job advertisement ( You are looking for a young, highly motivated... ) Good intentions ( If you hire me, then... ) Prophecies ( Because... I am absolutely certain to live up to all conditions of this management task. ) 15

16 Résume/CV (1) General Advice Different styles are possible Maximum length: two pages Be Short and clear Coherent regarding design and content Precise and very accurate e.g. indicate dates/levels Focussed on your strengths related to the envisaged position they should be visible at a glance Honest regarding your skills 16

17 Résume/CV (2) Common Structure Personal Information Education Work Experience Skills Activities/Interests Recommended to start with most recent events in each section and go backwards 17

18 Résume/CV (3) PERSONAL DETAILS. Name. Address Name, address, contact data, date and place of birth Common in Germany: a professional picture EDUCATION...Master.Bachelor (.High School) M.Sc. RWTH : Majors, Thesis Bachelor : Thesis, Projects, Awards (High School not too many details) WORK EXPERIENCE. Internships. Hiwi.Practical Trainings List your experience. Always include: Name of Company, Place, Period, Position, job description in bullet points i 18

19 Résume/CV (4) SKILLS.Computer.Languages ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS.Engagement.Voluntary Work (.Hobbies) List computer and language skills. Be precise and honest with your level. Indicate certificates/courses if applicable. Demonstrate extracurricular activities, that support your application: engagement at the RWTH, etc. 19

20 Résume/CV (5) Example CV 20

21 Application Process (1) Submit your Cover Letter/CV (as pdf s) Attachments (as pdf s) Follow the structure of your CV Transcript of records (Master/Bachelor) Work certificates (most recent ones) Focus only on relevant papers 1 page Cover Letter 2 pages CV 1-3 pages Transcript M.Sc./B.Sc. 1-3 pages Work Certificates 21

22 Application Process (2) Double-Check: Did you address the correct person? Then submit before the deadline! You might receive a direct confirmation of your application Wait at least 2-5 working days before you ask about a receipt Wait at least 2-4 weeks after the application deadline before asking a decision usually they will contact you! 22

23 Application Process (3) Application via Please address the correct person in your as well! Do not send an empty ! Do not use the itself as the cover letter Make sure you mention the subject! Put all the documents together in 1 (max. 2) pdf s! Use a signature in your (looks more professional) 23

24 Remember (1) Try to put yourself in the recipient s place:100s of applications only a few minutes attention to scroll over each application The first glimpse makes an in or out decision The decision is based on personal taste, but also on formal standards 24

25 Remember (2) The more you care, the better the chances Have some patience and long-term commitment If it does not work with your first application Don t take it personally Don t give up! 25

26 Useful Links International Academy Summary of Links & Advice Application Advice by RWTH Aachen University Websites about the German Way of Doing Business

27 Useful Documents Chancen im Ingenieurberuf. Das VDI- Bewerbungshandbuch: 27

28 RWTH Career Center Events Seminar Date Arbeiten bei Strategy& Working at Huawei Arbeiten bei Bosch Arbeiten bei CLAAS Arbeiten bei ThyssenKrupp Working at DENSO Global & Europe Registration started 7 October Be quick! 28

29 Some requests from our side Please kindly follow these rules If you visit us in our office: Please knock on the door before you enter It is a sign of respect. IMPORTANT: The same applies to every other office, institution you visit. Especially with Professors! Please carefully read through the s we send you and always refer to these s by answering to them (just click on answer ) Please do not send your s to more than one person. Only to your programme manager or the person who invited you the event. We will always indicate with whom you have to register. If you register for an event, especially for a workshop, please attend it or cancel before. It is not fair to your fellow students otherwise. We will make lists about the registrations and the attendance as well. Please respect our office hours and also our lunch break! 29

30 Contact Personal CV check? Katharina Heck, M.A. Programme Manager Textile Engineering RWTH International Academy ggmbh Kackertstr Aachen Tel: k.heck@academy.rwth-aachen.de 30

31 Thank you for your Attention Questions? Time to get it started Good luck with your Hiwi Hunt! Chance of CV-Check

32 Personal experience talk HiWi job at the WZL, Laboratory for Machine Tools, RWTH Aachen Tanmay Ladge M.Sc Production Systems Engineering (batch 2014), RWTH Aachen Welcome and thank you very much 32