"It is sometimes a real pleasure to read the CVs of UW/H students"
Personnel consultant Barbara Schmid gives tips on starting a job and applications.
What should job starters look out for when making an application? What is particularly important to recruiters these days? What is the best way to impress at a job interview? Headhunter and HR specialist Barbara Schmid will explain how students can prepare for starting a job at the career coaching event in Witten on 27 April 2024. The Witten/Herdecke University graduate reveals in advance what is important when making an application.
What skills are particularly important to recruiters today - what should students look out for when making an application?
When submitting an application, it is important to show that the applicant has really put some thought and effort into their application. A suitable self-presentation through a meaningful CV, a pointed cover letter, if desired, and a good appearance are still an important key to success today. You can also score points if you are professional in your communication with the company during the application process and, for example, respond quickly when the company contacts you and are flexible when it comes to scheduling an interview.
What pitfalls should job starters avoid at all costs?
As an applicant, it is important to convey a certain down-to-earth attitude. Someone who is overconfident and immediately "reaches for the stars" in terms of position and salary is not well received. The same applies if it becomes clear that applicants are insufficiently informed about the company. And beyond start-ups, an outfit that is too casual is usually not appreciated. I therefore advise candidates to tend to dress more seriously and not too informally at the interview, even if it is clear that things will be much more casual later on in everyday life. After all, a job interview is and remains a special occasion.
Even if it is not just the candidate who is applying, but also the company, it is important to score points in the interview. If someone is unable to present their career in a structured and clear way and does not answer standard application questions clearly and thoughtfully, recruiters will quickly become bored. In addition, there is the applicant's charisma: A client of mine always talks about wanting to see the sparkle in applicants' eyes. If you don't radiate that you really want the position and have drive, you are missing out on an important opportunity. After all, companies also want to feel that they want the candidate.
How can UW/H students score particularly well?
In addition to a good degree from UW/H, students can also score points for their student commitment and practical orientation. It is sometimes a real pleasure to read the CVs of UW/H students. Just reading through them gives me the feeling that this is a bright person who has tried out a wide variety of areas, wants to make a difference, is broadly interested, has been involved (including socially) and thinks outside the box and is therefore able to look at things from a wide variety of perspectives. Such CVs also offer recruiters a lot of "material" for the interview, so that they can then get into an interesting topic beyond the position, which can then be used to get to know applicants better.
When I started my own career, I once sat opposite a recruiter who was very interested in Witten didactics. The majority of the conversation was therefore about such topics. I also talked a lot about the Stufu and seminars such as "Group Dynamics". I almost had the feeling that listening to me made him really want to study in Witten himself. In the end, he offered me the job.
