15 career tips
To mark our 15th anniversary in April 2020, the CSC is providing you with 15 career tips
1. Career goals
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Did you know that a concrete job with more specific career goals is easier to find?
If you don’t know what you are looking for, it is harder to find something and you can eventually get lost in the search. Choose a professional field! Which industries are you interested in? Which role/position appeals to you?
Read job advertisements, find out what the requirements are and try to align them with your skills!
If you don’t know what you are looking for, it is harder to find something and you can eventually get lost in the search. Choose a professional field! Which industries are you interested in? Which role/position appeals to you?
Read job advertisements, find out what the requirements are and try to align them with your skills!
2. Appearance
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Did you know that your appearance is important and your outfit for the interview should be industry-specific?chenspezifisch sei soll?
Your outfit has a great influence on how comfortable you feel and how others feel about you. For example, if you apply for a job at a bank or a consulting company you should wear a suit with a tie or a pantsuit. In other industries, a blazer and pants are sufficient
Your outfit should be appropriate for the position, the specific employer and for the industry. Also, you should feel comfortable in your clothes during the interview!
Your outfit has a great influence on how comfortable you feel and how others feel about you. For example, if you apply for a job at a bank or a consulting company you should wear a suit with a tie or a pantsuit. In other industries, a blazer and pants are sufficient
Your outfit should be appropriate for the position, the specific employer and for the industry. Also, you should feel comfortable in your clothes during the interview!
3. Strengths & Weaknesses
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Did you know knowing your strengths and weaknesses is essential?
In which areas did you perform well? What was easy for you to do? Where did you have difficulties? Which tasks did not mean much to you? Why are you good at what you do?
Answer questions honestly and think about your talents and strengths. Think about what would be important for the company you applied for!
In which areas did you perform well? What was easy for you to do? Where did you have difficulties? Which tasks did not mean much to you? Why are you good at what you do?
Answer questions honestly and think about your talents and strengths. Think about what would be important for the company you applied for!
4. Pimp your CV
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Did you know that HR managers usually only look at your CV for a few seconds?
Invest enough time in an thorough and interesting CV. The more structured your CV is, the more pleasant/enjoyable it is to read. There is no second chance for the first impression.
Your CV should answer all questions regarding your knowledge, qualifications and experience and should be authentic!
Invest enough time in an thorough and interesting CV. The more structured your CV is, the more pleasant/enjoyable it is to read. There is no second chance for the first impression.
Your CV should answer all questions regarding your knowledge, qualifications and experience and should be authentic!
5. Job interviews
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Did you know that job interviews increasingly take place online?
Prepare the same way for an online job interview as for an interview in person. Pay attention to your dress code, your manners and your body language. Also, make sure your technical equipment runs flawlessly (camera, audio, lighting) and you have a stable internet connection
Practice the video interview in advance!
Prepare the same way for an online job interview as for an interview in person. Pay attention to your dress code, your manners and your body language. Also, make sure your technical equipment runs flawlessly (camera, audio, lighting) and you have a stable internet connection
Practice the video interview in advance!
6. Say no to too long CVs
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Did you know that your CV must be no more than 2 pages long?
One should be able to quickly find all relevant information regarding your skills, competences, experience and motivation through your CV. Try to step into the shoes of someone else and make sure you meet the job requirements/ the job profile.
Format your CV well, and try not to make it longer than 2 pages. That way your potential employer will have a quick and good overview about your profile!
One should be able to quickly find all relevant information regarding your skills, competences, experience and motivation through your CV. Try to step into the shoes of someone else and make sure you meet the job requirements/ the job profile.
Format your CV well, and try not to make it longer than 2 pages. That way your potential employer will have a quick and good overview about your profile!
7. Go for an Internship
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Did you know that an internship in your semester break or between Bachelor’s and Master’s can be an advantage?
First practical experiences are a good way to find out what you would like to do professionally. It doesn’t matter if it is a voluntary or a mandatory internship or an internship abroad, you will make progress/improve yourself professionally and personally and possibly learn a new foreign language. The semester break is ideal to do this.
Think about writing your theses in collaboration with a company. Many companies offer such a possibility for students!
First practical experiences are a good way to find out what you would like to do professionally. It doesn’t matter if it is a voluntary or a mandatory internship or an internship abroad, you will make progress/improve yourself professionally and personally and possibly learn a new foreign language. The semester break is ideal to do this.
Think about writing your theses in collaboration with a company. Many companies offer such a possibility for students!
8. Career Events can be an Icebreaker
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Did you know that there are info events on career entry in your immediate vicinity?
Career fairs, an event like the Long Night of Careers, conferences, webinars, web cast events or career lunches are ideal occasions to get informed about potential employers. Graduates can approach the representatives of the potential employer companies directly and receive first hand information about job offers.
Look at company websites or read the CSC event calendar!
Career fairs, an event like the Long Night of Careers, conferences, webinars, web cast events or career lunches are ideal occasions to get informed about potential employers. Graduates can approach the representatives of the potential employer companies directly and receive first hand information about job offers.
Look at company websites or read the CSC event calendar!
9. Networking is crucial
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Did you know that targeted networking activities can be a door opener?
Profit from other people’s experience and get access to career opportunities. Although networking requires some intuition and flair it pays off as often vacancies are not advertised publicly. Therefore, use networking events and trust yourself to reach to out to people.
Connect via Xing or LinkedIn afterwards!
Profit from other people’s experience and get access to career opportunities. Although networking requires some intuition and flair it pays off as often vacancies are not advertised publicly. Therefore, use networking events and trust yourself to reach to out to people.
Connect via Xing or LinkedIn afterwards!
10. Common Interview Questions and how to answer them
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Did you know that “Please describe your background” and “ Why did you apply at our company?” are typical questions in a job interview?
In the beginning of the interview, you will be often asked to do a self-presentation. It will help the interviewer to get a first impression of you. Try to present yourself in a short and to-the-point manner, and give convincing answers.
No false modesty!
In the beginning of the interview, you will be often asked to do a self-presentation. It will help the interviewer to get a first impression of you. Try to present yourself in a short and to-the-point manner, and give convincing answers.
No false modesty!
11. Cover letter
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Did you know that ideally your cover letter should not be longer than a DIN A4?
In your cover letter you should emphasize your motivation for the position. Try to make clear why you want this position and why you are the right candidate. Convince them with your skills and competencies.
Make sure to write an interesting introduction, a meaningful main part, and an appropriate final formula!
In your cover letter you should emphasize your motivation for the position. Try to make clear why you want this position and why you are the right candidate. Convince them with your skills and competencies.
Make sure to write an interesting introduction, a meaningful main part, and an appropriate final formula!
12. Job references
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Did you know that employment reference letters are part of your application documents?
Employment reference letters play an important role in your application and can give you a head start. Your behavior and performance should be described in a fair way. Request an employment reference letter not an employment confirmation.
The more customized the reference letter, the more appreciation there was!
Employment reference letters play an important role in your application and can give you a head start. Your behavior and performance should be described in a fair way. Request an employment reference letter not an employment confirmation.
The more customized the reference letter, the more appreciation there was!
13. Online application tools
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Did you know that online applications via online forms are standard nowadays?
Many well known companies prefer online forms for the application process. Make sure to upload all your relevant documents. Try to avoid slips of pen and overly large file attachments.
Properly maintain your data if you apply via a registration portal for candidates!
Many well known companies prefer online forms for the application process. Make sure to upload all your relevant documents. Try to avoid slips of pen and overly large file attachments.
Properly maintain your data if you apply via a registration portal for candidates!
14. Digitale Interviews as a new way of recruiting
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Did you know that Skype and telephone interviews are more and more common?
In a Skype or telephone interview the same aspects apply as for a personal interview. Additionally, you should be aware of some specifcs. To keep in contact with the interviewer, look into the camera not the screen. Make sure you have a neutral background. Test your computer and internet in advance, it should be running flawlessly during your interview.
Make sure your Skype user name is suitabel for professional purposes!
In a Skype or telephone interview the same aspects apply as for a personal interview. Additionally, you should be aware of some specifcs. To keep in contact with the interviewer, look into the camera not the screen. Make sure you have a neutral background. Test your computer and internet in advance, it should be running flawlessly during your interview.
Make sure your Skype user name is suitabel for professional purposes!
15. Follow-up after the Interview
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Did you know that a follow-up after the interview is often desired?
Through a follow-up after the interview you emphazise your sustained interest in the position. You should wait 6 – 10 days until after the interview – depending on the size of the company. The larger the company, the longer you should wait. Point out your interest and motivation again and ask about next steps in the application process.
Connect via Xing or LinkedIn afterwards!
Through a follow-up after the interview you emphazise your sustained interest in the position. You should wait 6 – 10 days until after the interview – depending on the size of the company. The larger the company, the longer you should wait. Point out your interest and motivation again and ask about next steps in the application process.
Connect via Xing or LinkedIn afterwards!
