Job Application

The customised application � the ideal way to start a career

There are people whose back hair stands on end if only they imagine the word �application� and whose adrenaline level is rapidly raised by the term �personal interview�. But this problem can be remedied. Here is some advice for college graduates who are looking for an adequate means of making a start in the professional world.

Self-analysis and occupational guidance

First of all, we have to be aware of the fact that the success of an application is substantially influenced by the planning of professional targets. The very best exam results and exotic training abroad will be of no use if the graduate has not thought about his later career. Those who cannot decide on a definite area of activity or do not want to do so should at least be able to describe alternative occupational goals with conviction. With this, entering professional life represents the foundation in one�s professional career. Furthermore, one should always keep an eye on the possible consequences for the next stage when deciding about the first one. It is true that the first application will not necessarily be a �decision for a lifetime�, but, nevertheless,  should not be regarded as a waiting position for further applications but rather serve as a springboard for the subsequent career. Those who, for example, aim for employment in the private business sector should ask themselves if they want to reach a managing position in the long run or are better suited for more qualified staff activities. Depending on the examination system � i.e. exams conducted over a longer period or concentrated into a block � the candidate should begin writing applications three to six months before the exam. But in order to obtain a general view of the employment market and the positions offered, it is advisable, however, to regularly read the job advertisements in the weekend issues of the supraregional newspapers even before that time. Taking into account that the average graduate today needs several months before finding the right job, an early application strategy is strongly recommended.

Job advertisements

Current vacancies for executives and college graduates are, above all, to be found in the weekend issues of the three leading regional newspapers FAZ, Welt and S�ddeutsche Zeitung as well as in the supplement �Karriere� to the Friday edition of the Handelsblatt. The adverts for the job market in the S�ddeutsche Zeitung focus on the South German area. Die Zeit publishes job offers especially in public services and in the areas of research, teaching and higher education as well as public health. Job advertisements are also published, for the most part, in trade journals and bulletins for certain professional and industrial groups. It is true that not all advertisements provide the same level of information. Not all of them express themselves clearly enough to make it possible to unmistakably identify the characteristics of the position and its activities as well as the requirements to be met by the applicant. An analysis of job advertisements according to the following pattern can help to filter the most important information out of the text:

1. Information about the company
2. Information about the position and the area of tasks
3. Applicant requirement profile

Direct contact and job application

In particular college graduates who are looking for their first job have the opportunity to establish direct contact with very different companies regularly offering trainee programmes for students. It is recommended, however, to establish a preliminary contact before submitting an application on personal initiative. Such direct contacts may occur during fairs, congresses, and special meetings. Further possibilities for initial contact with the potential employer can be set up with the help of different student organisations. For example AIESEC has been organising contact meetings at WISO (Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaft = business college) faculties for over ten years between students and HR managers from the most varied branches of industry. Furthermore, other student organisations, for example subject sections or the student initiative called �Marketing between Theory and Practice� (MTP), arrange contact meetings and discussions with company representatives. In addition, many companies issue brochures especially addressed to students informing them about companies and their starting programmes.

The tailor-made application

Sending out mass applications, i.e. like �circulars�, rarely leads to success. The art of applying lies in a combination of information about one�s own qualifications and prerequisites orientated to target a specific position and its skilful presentation. In one word: you should know the job market and how to sell yourself. What is more a �perfect� application insinuates that the applicant is able to handle other tasks just as well. A personalised application stands out as a contrast to the mass of other applications.

Observing the following rules will be decisive factors in your favour:
- Arouse the interest of the reader
with an individual letter and explain your reasons for applying
- Refer briefly to the most important criteria expressed in the advertisement by elaborating on the connection with your qualification profile. In your letter of application you should only refer to certain subjects or to the topic of your thesis if those are relevant to the position offered. Otherwise this information is to be integrated by all means into the tabular curriculum vitae. In addition, all extra curricular activities  such as practical training, subsidiary offices, and social activities should be mentioned. Even if these activities are not directly related to the position advertised, they are nevertheless an indication of initiative, a wide-scope of interest, independence, and the ability to communicate for many Human Resources managers. Moreover, provide an explanation regarding an unusually lengthy period of studies as well as mediocre exam results. Financial reasons or above average social activities are, in this case, a convincing explanation. Further, you should restrain from making false statements or exaggerating about your own knowledge, abilities, and future job planning.  Particular importance should be given to the tabular curriculum vitae and its layout ; your CV should be complete and clearly arranged and thus contain all relevant information about your life and education.

The interview

The objective of a written application is, in the first place, to obtain an invitation to an interview. If this happens, the first hurdle has already been successfully taken. Those who think, however, that the race has already been won with the invitation to a preliminary interview are all too optimistic. In order to stand out positively from the other competitors, you should prepare well for the interview since extensive information about the company will allow you to be much more sure of yourself and relaxed during the interview. The applicant can thus ask questions regarding the company and the job in a more concrete way. This will even allow the party interviewing who wants to get a complete picture of the applicant, in particular regarding his/her personality, to establish better points of contact.

Universities in Germany

Internet: www.hochschulkompass.hrk.de

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