Job Application in Germany

ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

09.04.2023

Seite 2How to Apply in Germany © Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Index

What German employers expect from you

Applying for a position (Covering letter, CV)

Job interview

Seite 3How to Apply in Germany© Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

What do German employers expect from you?

German skills

English skills

Preferably job experience in the relevant sector

Motivation

Ablility to work in a team

Punctuality

Seite 4How to Apply in Germany © Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Job Application vs Self-Marketing

JOB!!!!!

Self-Marketing II• Job Interview• Employer / country survey• Prepare right questions

Self-Marketing I• CV • Cover Letter

Self Esteem • Short profile development • Vacancy analysis

Bildrahmen(Bild in Masterfolie einfügen)

How to apply in Germany© Bundesagentur für Arbeit – ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Written Application in Germany

Seite 6How to Apply in Germany© Bundesagentur für Arbeit – ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Check list for your application

1. What exactly would I like to do?

2. What are they looking for?

3. Would I like to live and work in that country/region?

4. Am I qualified enough/ overqualified for the job?

5. What are the requirements (must-have)

6. Qualifications that I possess (check list)

7. Qualifications that I do not possess (check list)

8. What additional skills can I offer?

9. Questions I’d like to ask the employer before I proceed with an application?

Seite 7How to Apply in Germany © Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Written Application

In a folder (DIN A4) you should send the following:

1. Cover letter/ Carta de Presentación (typed)

2. CV (tabular, anti-chronologic, photo)

3. Annexes (on demand):

► copies of school, university diplomas and any professional training

► copies of testimonials and letters of references (only mentioning names is not enough!)

Alternatively: On-line application with attachments CV and Cover Letter – as PDF, with signature

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Written Application

Basic Rules:

1. Application papers should be short and precise (cover letter -1 page; CV – max. 2-3 pages)

2. Documents should indicate a differentiated picture of the applicant

3. Letter of application should be targeted at the employer and the position

4. No mistakes should be made in the application (grammar/spelling)

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Written Application: Photo

• From a professional photographer

• Size: 6,5 x 4,5 cm

• Coloured or black and white

• Open sight, maybe a smile

• For men: Jacket, shirt and tie

• For women: Jacket and blouse

• No WANTED-Photo !

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Photo: Feel the difference

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Cover Letter: General Model1. The right person in charge (Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren),

2. Explain the reason for this letter (want ad, article, contact). Explain why your background makes you the best for the position.

3. Your contribution to the company. Describe your interest in the company.

4. Closing Paragraph: Request specific action from the reader, i.e. to phone you or to send you an interview invitation.

5. Closing (Mit freundlichen Grüßen)

6. Signature

7. Your full name (typed)

8. Enclosures

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Cover Letter: General Model

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Curriculum Vitae: General Model

Name / Address / Date of birth/ Nationality

Work experience

Practical training / Internships

Training / University

Others (i.e. Military Service, Voluntary Work)

Schooling

Languages

Other Skills (i.e. Computer Skills, Driving Licence, Interests)

Location, Date, Signature!

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Curriculum Vitae: General Model

Bildrahmen(Bild in Masterfolie einfügen)

How to Apply in Germany © Bundesagentur für Arbeit – ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Job Interview in Germany

Seite 16How to Apply in Germany © Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Job Interview: Organization

Arrive in time

Clothes chosen for the occasion

Small talk with the employer

Business part

• Self –presentation (“Tell us about yourself”)

• Professional questions (“Describe your experience with…”)

• Character questions

CV and testimonials as hand-outs (2 copies)

Travel expenses?

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Typical Character Questions

What are your strengths / weaknesses?

How would other people describe yourself?

What are your career objectives for the next five years?

Tell me about your most/ least successful project.

Why do you want to work for our company?

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Telephone Interview

Fix the time

Find a suitable location

Ask prepared questions (also about accomodation)

Your voice is your friend

Smile!

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Telephone Interview: Hotel and Gastronomy Jobs

Employer calls the applicant or makes an appointment for the call

Be prepared to speak German on the phone

Business part rather than a small talk

Accomodation/ salary questions

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Co-operation with ZAV

You provide ZAV with:

• Your application form and consent on the use of data• CV (Englisch/ German)• Information about changes in your plans, location, work

ZAV provides you with:

• Job offers (if available)• Relevant information• General advice

Leben und Arbeiten im Ausland © Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice Frankfurt

Seite 21How to Apply in Germany © Bundesagentur für Arbeit - ZAV Internationaler Personalservice

Useful Links

Employment/ Empleo:

http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/ (la candidatura)

www.gehalts-check.de (salarios)

Language courses/ Cursos de idioma:

www.vhs.de (“Volkshochschule”)

www.goethe.de

www.sprachcaffee.de

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¡ MUCHAS GRACIAS

POR SU ATENCIÓN

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BIENVENIDOS

A ALEMANIA!