how to apply?“ - workshop - rwth aachen university · „how to apply?“ - workshop | rwth...

„How to Apply?“ - Workshop

27 July 2017Claudia Lütkehoff, Sven Lingens

„How to apply?“ - Workshop | RWTH International Academy | 27 July 2017

Claudia Lütkehoff | Study Course Coordinator

Sven Lingens | Career Coach

2

1. Introduction

Agenda

• First Steps

• Cover Letter

• CV

4. Advice & Support

3. Application Process

2. Preparing an Application

• Cultural Differences

• German Communiation & Behaviour

• Useful Links

• Finding a Hiwi or Job Position

• INTAC Career Services and Networks

• What‘s next?

• Application via E-Mail

• Keep in mind…

• General Advice on the Job Interview




3

Introduction

• 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

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 (do not forget

Mrs./Mr. or Herr/Frau)

• Address academic titles in written/spoken language

• Indicate academic degrees only when writing a letter

(address field)

Frau/Herr Schmitt

Mrs./Mr. Schmitt

To/ An Herrn Peter Schmitt, M.Sc.

To/ An Frau Dipl.-Kff. Petra Schmitt

Herr Professor Schmitt

Frau Dr. Schmitt

Professor Schmitt/

Dr. Schmitt

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




5

1. Introduction

Agenda

• First Steps

• Cover Letter

• CV

4. Advice & Support





• Useful Links



• What‘s next?


• Keep in mind…





6

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

Mind the difference between:

„Can“ and „must“ criteria: Nice to have vs. must have

In German: „wünschenswert“ or „von Vorteil“ is a „can“

If just the skill is mentionend, it is a must.

First Steps




7

Research Area/Department

Job Description

Requirements/Applicant‘s Profile

Contact/Organisation

Example: HiWi at the WZL




8

• Structure

Maximum one page!

Usually contains three parts

1. Introduction – Why are you interested in the institution

and position? Why are you the right candidate?

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

Cover Letter

The Cover Letter – The heart of every application




9

Write as much as you need – but as little 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!

Sign the cover letter!

Cover Letter

The Cover Letter – The heart of every application




10

More Information here.

Give the most important

information from your CV with

relation to the job add!

Cover Letter

Sample Cover Letter

Do not forget the signature!

https://www.academy.rwth-aachen.de/en/index/education-formats/msc-degree-programmes/pse/internships-student-jobs




11

• Do not 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.

• Do not give company emails or phone numbers, or unserious email addresses as your contact information

• Do not lack of text structure

• Do not use too long sentences, mistakes, wrong typeface

• Do not use too much technical jargon

• Do not write a multi-page cover letter

• Do not write “You can call me anytime”

• Do not use “quotes” from the job advertisement (“You are looking for a young, highly motivated...”)

• Do not use good intentions (“If you hire me, then...”)

• Do not make prophecies (“Because... I am absolutely certain to live up to all conditions of this

management task.”)

Cover Letter

What you should NOT mention or do in your application




12

• General Advice Different styles are possible

Maximum length: two pages

• Be… Short and clear

Coherent – regarding design and content (CV+Cover letter)

Precise and very accurate – e.g. indicate dates/levels

Focussed on your strengths related to the desired position –

they should be visible at a glance

Honest regarding your skills (ask a friend )

Résume/CV

The CV - Keeping a long story short




13

• Common Structure 1. Personal Information

2. Education

3. Work Experience

4. Skills

5. Activities/Interests

• Recommended to start with most recent events (reverse chronological order)

• Do not use verbs, better use nouns! E.g. Analyzed statistical data for… Analysis of statistical data for…

E.g. Designing and developing a prototype… Design and Development of a prototype

The CV - Keeping a long story short

Résume/CV




14

PERSONAL DETAILS

…. Name

…. Address

EDUCATION....Master

….Bachelor

(….High School)

WORK EXPERIENCE…. Internships

…. Hiwi

….Practical Trainings

i

Name, address, contact data, date and place of birth

Common in Germany: a professional picture

M.Sc. RWTH : Majors, Thesis

Bachelor : Thesis, Projects, Awards

(High School – not too many details)

List your experience. Always include:

Name of Company, Place, Period, Position, job description in

bullet points

Résume/CV

Structure of the CV (1)




15

SKILLS….Computer

….Languages

ACTIVITIES &

INTERESTS….Engagement

….Voluntary Work

(….Hobbies)

List IT 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.

Structure of the CV (2)

Résume/CV




16

Diploma

(equivalent to German Abitur or

University Entrance Qualification)

Résume/CV

More Information here.

Sample CV





17

1. Introduction

Agenda

• First Steps

• Cover Letter

• CV

4. Advice & Support





• Useful Links



• What‘s next?


• Keep in mind…





18

• 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

• Name your pdf‘s: o Max_Mustermann_CV and Cover Letter,

o Max_Mustermann_Attachments

• Do not send more than 2 PDF files!

(1-3 pages)

Work

Certificates

(1-3 pages)

Degree

Certificate +

Transcript

M.Sc./B.Sc.

2 pages

CV

1 page

Cover Letter

What‘s next?

../Sample Application.pdf




19

• Double-Check: Did you address the correct person? Did you sign it?

Then submit before the deadline!

• You might receive a direct confirmation of your application

• Wait at least 2-5 working days before you kindly ask about a receipt

• Wait at least 2-4 weeks after the application deadline before kindly asking a decision –

usually they will contact you!

What‘s next?

Submitting the Application




20

• Please address the correct person in your e-mail

as well!

• Please do not send your applications to more than

one person within an institution.

• Do not send an empty e-mail!

• Do not use the email 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 e-mail (looks more

professional)

Sample: Content of E-Mail

Dear Mr./Mrs. Xy,

I am hereby sending you my application documents for the

position of …

Please do not hesitate to contact me in case you have any

questions or need more information.

With kind regards

Max Mustermann

Application via E-Mail




21

• 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 usually makes an „in or out“ decision

• The decision is based on personal taste, but also on formal

standards!

Keep in mind…

• 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!




22

General Advice on the Job Interview

Please follow these „rules“:

• Please always knock on the door before you enter a room

It is a sign of respect.

• Please do not send your applications to more than one person

within an institution.

• Please respect office hours!

• Please wear fresh and clean clothes.

• Do not smoke before the interview!

• Please set a high value on your outer appearance/hygiene

Keep calm and be awesome

https://www.youtube.co

m/watch?v=pPdc-

xv9LeU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPdc-xv9LeU




23

1. Introduction

Agenda

• First Steps

• Cover Letter

• CV

• What‘s next?


• Keep in mind…


• Useful Links



4. Advice & Support








24

• RWTH International Academy – Summary of Links & Advice https://www.academy.rwth-aachen.de/en/index/education-formats/msc-degree-programmes/pse/internships-

student-jobs

• Application Advice by RWTH Aachen University http://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Studium/Nach_dem_Studium/Karriere/~top/Bewerbungs_Tipps/

• Websites about the German Way of Doing Business http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/German-Management-Style.html

http://geert-hofstede.com/germany.html

• Chancen im Ingenieurberuf, VDI. http://www.ingenieurkarriere.de/

Useful Links

Advice & Support


http://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Studium/Nach_dem_Studium/Karriere/~top/Bewerbungs_Tipps/

http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/German-Management-Style.html

http://geert-hofstede.com/germany.html

http://www.ingenieurkarriere.de/




25

• There are many search engines, e.g.

RWTH Jobbörse

Job Pilot

Jobs.de

Monster

Careerjet

Stepstone

Stellenanzeigen.de

FH Aachen Jobportal

Maschijobs

Finding a Hiwi or Internship

Useful Links and Job Portals

• 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

http://www.jobpilot.de/

http://www.jobs.de/

http://www.monster.de/

http://www.careerjet.de/

http://www.stepstone.de/

http://www.stellenanzeigen.de/

http://www.fh-aachen.de/jobportal/

http://maschijobs.de/

http://www.ipt.fraunhofer.de/de/jobs/studierende.html

http://www.wzl.rwth-aachen.de/__C1256E970034898A.nsf/html/de_4c197d3d7fae9ee0c12571f000261b25.htm?OpenDocument=&searchquery=stud. Hilfskraft&subtitle=studentische Hilfskr%E4fte

http://www.iam.rwth-aachen.de/stellenangebote/studentische-hilfskraefte.html

http://www.maschinenbau.rwth-aachen.de/cms/Maschinenbau/Die_Fakultaet/Institute_und_Lehrstuehle/~xaw/Uebersicht-aller-Institute/?lidx=1




26

This business unit supports you with your current and future career

perspectives.

Career Coach Sven Lingens offers CV checks and mock interviews

on prior appointment to support you with your job applications.

These could also be requested for HiWi positions.

They are expanding a wide network of contacts in key industries

for you and keeping in touch with alumni to get crucial “insider”

contacts.

Sven Lingens

(Career Coach)

[email protected]

aachen.de

Appointments:

Fridays from 8 AM to 2 PM

only with appointments!

Career Services and Networks of the International Academy

Career Services and Networks

mailto:[email protected]




27

• Company visits

• Mock interviews on request

• CV Checks

• Career Day

• “How to apply” - Workshops

• Internship/Master Thesis Tutorials

• Master Thesis Experience Night

• Forwarding of Internship/Job Offers• via E-Mail

• LinkedIn Group

• INTAC Homepage• Internships/Student Jobs

• Graduates/Alumni/Career

Career Services and Networks

Career Services and Networks of the International Academy


https://www.academy.rwth-aachen.de/en/education-formats/msc-degree-programmes/pse/graduates-and-alumni

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4279293




28

Contact us

www.masters-in-engineering.com

www.academy.rwth-aachen.de

RWTH International Academy gGmbH

Campus-Boulevard 30

Cluster Produktionstechnik (3rd Floor)

52074 Aachen

GERMANY

Claudia Lütkehoff (Study Course Coordinator)

E-Mail: [email protected]

Phone: +49 241 80-23545

Sven Lingens (Career Coach)

E-Mail: [email protected]

Phone: +49 241 80 20718

http://www.masters-in-engineering.com/

http://www.academy.rwth-aachen.de/



https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4279293

how to apply?“ - workshop - rwth aachen university · „how to apply?“ - workshop | rwth...

Documents