CBYX Internships in Germany Roadmap Germany Career Kickstarter Jessica Schüller | Germany Career Coach TO USE THIS GUIDE IN GOOGLE DRIVE: Request access to the Google Drive version with this link. In the “notes” section write your first and last name, name of university at which you attended the workshop, and the date of the workshop. Then Click File > Make a Copy. Then re-title this document and save it to your own Google Drive Copyright and Trademark Information Everything on this document, on the www.germanycareercoach.com and www.jessicaschueller.com website (and associated websites) and within the course portals is copyrighted and/or trademarked. You are NOT allowed to copy, alter, redistribute, or use this content or any of the materials to make derivative works of any kind (e.g. you may not use this content to make your own workshops, handouts, etc.). This content is for personal use of paying course/workshop students only and for personal use only. It may not be resold or used commercially (eg. with clients). Copyright and/or intellectual property violations may result in legal consequences in Germany and/or the United States of America. How to Use this Guide Welcome to the guide that accompanies the Finding an Internship in Germany–CBYX edition course! This guide is a resource for you to use as you design your internship search and begin applying for internships. There are several exercises, handouts, and checklists in this guide that are introduced or mentioned during the course. These are listed below in the order presented here in this guide, as well as in an order that makes sense for completing them from top to bottom. Each of the activities builds on the next, but you should skip around and use the activities as it works best for you! This includes: * Internship Goal-Setting * Internship Search Process Outline (two options) * Module Hausaufgaben (Homework) * Keyword Search and Optimization * Resume Section Heading Title Options in German and English * Cover Letters in Germany: Templates, Examples + Checklist * E-Mail Templates for Writing Employers + Initiative Applications * LinkedIn Checklist + Resources I recommend you set aside 5-10 hours in total for thoroughly preparing your internship search. The two search process outlines provided in this guide will be invaluable in ensuring your process is structured and does not get too unwieldy. I wish you the best of luck - Viel Erfolg! Best, Jessica Internship Goals What is the industry/field you aim to intern in? What are you looking for within your internship? * Professional growth * Personal growth * Language practice * Insight into working in Germany * Better understanding of German culture * Other: ________ Who are you trying to achieve by the end of the internship phase? What do you envision/imagine when you think about your internship? What are your current concerns? Internship Search Process I provide two options below for structuring your internship search process. The first one has five steps and is structured around the course modules. The second option has three steps structured around the main three “building blocks” of an internship search in Germany. Choose the path that speaks to you! INTERNSHIP SEARCH PATH #1 1) STRUCTURE YOUR INTERNSHIP SEARCH – Modules 0-2 * Define your goals for the internship.(describe what you want to accomplish and learn - professionally, academically, and personally). Not all of these will be possible at one internship. Determine your level of flexibility * Set your timeline (when do you want to start the internship) and schedule (when will you work on the internship search). * Research positions and companies to get an understanding of the internship landscape in your field * Decide if you will be applying for internship in German or English * Identify your keywords and job search engines/databases. * Choose job sites * Research and choose target employers and positions in your placement city. 2) DEVELOP YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS – Module 4 * Get your resume and draft cover letter in order * Get your resume checked by your mentor or university career service * Develop a LinkedIn/Xing profile that reflects your current interests and internship search. * Develop your application materials and have them proofread by 2-3 other people, ideally people who you conduct informational interviews with. 3) SUBMIT APPLICATIONS & NETWORK – Module 3 * Start submitting your applications, sending emails. * List of 20-30 internships maximum to apply to (incl. Initiative applications) * Apply for 10-30 internship positions and/or initiative applications. * Start attending networking events and conducting informational interviews. 4) PREPARE FOR INTERVIEWS – Module 5 * Prepare for the interview (module X) * Practice with at least 1-2 people. 5) PREPARE FOR THE INTERNSHIP – Module 6 * Contact employers about getting work certificates. * Read up on what your internship plan and contract should look like/entail, and begin preparing for your first day. * When you have concluded your internship, add everyone you met to LinkedIn/Xing if you have not yet, and make sure you get an internship certificate. INTERNSHIP SEARCH PATH #2 Step 1: Searching for Opportunities * First things first: remember the strategy we discussed. Here’s a recap, and here is a how-to on finding the hidden champions in your industry. * Develop a list of keywords and position tiles (use Berufenet for German terms, and use this worksheet for structuring your keyword search) * This article describes the reasoning behind keyword optimization and explains how to go about the search * Decide on job search engine/board avenues (remember field-specific ones!) * Here is an overview of job boards in Germany to get you started * Using the terms and search avenues, research positions and organizations * Here is an explanation of how to research German organizations * Create an excel sheet for organizing the positions and target organizations * While you are doing this, it can be helpful to participate in a few webinars/seminars offered by governmental agencies, which are sometimes tailored to specific agencies. Here is a list of the main resources for internationals looking for work in Germany. * MILESTONE 1: Collected 10-30 target organizations, 20-30 position descriptions Step 2: Planning and Preparing Your Application Materials * Draft cover letters for the positions you feel most connected to/interested in (choose between 2-5) * For internship positions advertised openly, use the job description matching sheet (template here, student example here) to put together a cover letter * For initiative applications, remember to emphasize area and value-add * Format your cover letter correctly using this template and formatting guidelines * If you are writing in German, you can use these Textbausteine to support your writing * Here is an overview of the sections in a cover letter * This is a summary of how to organize your cover letter * Design and develop a traditional and a modern resume, use the German Resume Guide (Code: CBYX2022respect) to guide you through the process * You can find a description of the two types here * Remember you are almost always going to use the German Lebenslauf format (learn the differences to CVs and American resumes here) * Consult these detailed articles on displaying languages and hard/soft skills * Adjust this email template for each employer you are writing to * MILESTONE 3: Cover letters, resume and emails to employers prepped to send * Complete LinkedIn profile optimization * Use this worksheet to write a compelling summary and this checklist to make sure you have completed the profile build * Complete Xing profile optimization, use this video course to guide you * Connect with/follow recruiters, companies and people in your industry * Here’s an overview of what to consider when using social media for career development in the German context * MILESTONE 4: LinkedIn & Xing profiles finished Step 3: Submitting your application, responding to employers & interviewing * MILESTONE 5: Submit 10-20 applications * If you are communicating with employers in German, I recommend you atcheck out this book or this book from the local library, both include great template letters and Textbaussteine for business communication * Practice - Take advantage of mock interviews at your local career center * Familiarize yourself with the five stages of interviews in Germany * If you can read German, I recommend this book for preparation * Prepare for the interview using these tips * Once you have landed the internship (yay!) start considering how you will start off strong. This article gives you some tips related to the German context. * While you are waiting for responses, you can start the cycle of applying again, or take a break for a bit and focus on networking * German-American business clubs * Informational interviews (also via LinkedIn) * Connecting with other students * Attend a local career fair * Reach out to your contacts about your search (such as professors) * If you have not heard anything back within two weeks, follow up with a brief email or phone call. Module Hausaufgaben (Homework) MODULE 1 * Save/download the Roadmap. * Set-up and customize your ICMS. * Download the templates and/or save them to Drive. * Mark in your calendar when you will work on the course, and begin thinking about what your process will look like based on where you are at in the program. MODULE 2 * Set a realistic goal for your internship. * Determine which language you’ll apply in. * Start your search right away using the strategies you learned in this module. * Track your target companies and interesting internship position openings in your ICMS. MODULE 3 * Select one cultural resource to consult/read. * Select at least two networking strategies (e.g. LinkedIn informational interviews + attending a local event) to start building your network. * Track networking in the ICMS networking tracker. * Complete LinkedIn Profile. * Complete Xing Profile. MODULE 4 * Develop your resume. * Draft cover letters for the positions you feel most connected to/interested in (choose between 2-5). * Organize and/or obtain your references/certificates * Submit applications! MODULE 5 * Use the preparation checklist to map out your preparation. * Practice using the practice questions and STAR method with at least 2 other people. * Review your internship contract carefully. MODULE 6 * Obtain your internship contract and check it. * Plan what you need to do ahead of your first day. * Plan your 'Ausstand' * Reach out to your supervisor and/or colleagues 1-2 weeks before you will leave to obtain your internship certificate, recommendations and letters Keyword Search and Optimization Finding keywords does not need to be challenging or cumbersome. Use these simple steps to get you started with 15-20 keywords for your current profile. Here is an overview of keyword optimization and the ATARA format. Keywords vs. skills First, consider that you will want a mix of skills, software, and keywords. Skill/Keyword Skill/Software Campaign management Covertkit Social science research MaxQDA Project management Salesforce Where to look for keywords Second, look back at keywords that already work for your profile. * Brainstorm! What keywords come to mind when you think about your current profile, or what you are looking for? * Then review your resume, this includes what is on the resume, but also that you do further research of the positon names and corresponding keywords * Then, check the position descriptions of previous jobs (if you stil have the ads!) * You can also look at other profiles for inspiration (just be careful with this!) How to find new/enhanced keywords Once you have exhausted all of the above mentioned options, you can do keyword research with the following steps. * Determine what your next career goal is * Choose 3-5 job titles (Berufenet can help) * Select 10-15 job descriptions based on those titles * Copy and paste the main body of the job description into Voyant Tools * Using the output from Voyant, consider the most important/commonly listed keywords, but make sure to check the list for an unique terms you may also want to include. Looking at the word bubble can help you. What are your top three skills? By this point you should have a large list. Think back to your areas of “expertise” - what you want to be known for. (Remember: if someone mentions your name, what do you want them to relate it with?) With this in mind, write down the top three skills you want associate with your applicant profile. 1. 2. 3. What are your main keywords? By this point you should have a large list of keywords. Choose the top 10-20 to include in your profile. It can also be helpful to research the synonyms to add variety to the language. 1. 1. Synonym(s): 2. 1. Synonym(s): 3. 1. Synonym(s): 4. 1. Synonym(s): 5. 1. Synonym(s): 6. 1. Synonym(s): 7. 1. Synonym(s): 8. 1. Synonym(s): 9. 1. Synonym(s): 10. 1. Synonym(s): 11. 1. Synonym(s): 12. 1. Synonym(s): 13. 1. Synonym(s): 14. 1. Synonym(s): 15. 1. Synonym(s): 16. 1. Synonym(s): 17. 1. Synonym(s): 18. 1. Synonym(s): 19. 1. Synonym(s): 20. 1. Synonym(s): Integrate your keywords Make sure you have these keywords throughout your profile. These are the most important areas to put them, in order for highest to lowest importance: * Headline * Summary * Experience * Skills * Activity * Bonus: Education – especially useful if you do not have a lot of experience, integrate keywords into your Education section such as with “Relevant Interests” or “Research Interests” Check your keyword optimization You can regularly (once a week) check if your keywords are working for you. If they are, then you will find them listed under the “Keywords” section of your analysis page. Here is how to reach it: * On your LinkedIn, navigate to your profile page * Scroll down to analytics * Click on “search appearances” * Look at the section “Keywords you were found for” * Please note it can take two weeks for this to register after you completed your optimization. Check back regularly to continue to ensure your keywords are still serving you and your career goals. Section Heading Title Options in German and English The Bare Minimum English German Education Bildung, Studium und Schulbildung Experience Erfahrung, Berufserfahrung Skills Fähigkeiten und Fertigkeiten, Sprachen, IT-Kenntnisse Other options and variations English German Volunteer Work Ehrenamtliches Engagement, Gesellschaftliches Engagement Projects during bachelor studies Projekte innerhalb des Bachelorstudiums an der xxx Personal Interests and Hobbies Persönliche Interessen,Interessen und Hobbys Work during Studies Studienbegleitende Tätigkeiten Projects, work-related projects Projekte, Berufsbezogene Projekte Qualifications Qualifikationen Certificates Zertifikate Accomplishments (Awards) Auszeichnungen Scholarships Stipendien An Overview of Cover Letters in Germany Kurz & Knapp: Most German companies still require the cover letter; those who do not are the exception. Writing a cover letter can be a demanding and scary task in your home country, and even more so when you are applying for jobs in a context you are unfamiliar with. You may read or hear contradicting advice and rules, and the variations in suggestions may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Common Issues with cover letters include: * Lack of rules * Endless ways to phrase what you want to say - it is a form of creative business writing * Difficulty with giving examples due to changing job descriptions and applicant profiles * Over-reliance on textual phrases can lead to copying You may even read career advice columns that say the cover letter is outdated and German employers do not read it anymore, that it is a “Pflichtaufgabe” (required task) that lacks essentiality. But a cover letter is important. German employers do read your cover letters, especially if you are applying for a position at a small or medium-sized enterprise, especially if you are applying in English, and even more so if they need to choose between many qualified applicants. HR staff either read the resume or the cover letter first. With your application, you need to make sure you are appealing to both groups of hiring managers. Your cover letter may be what gets your application into the interview pile among steep competition of people with similar profiles. Your primary goal with a resume is to be thorough yet concise; with a cover letter it is to be clear and generate interest. The cover letter is often the most-feared document by international applicants because they think they have to write perfectly, creatively, professionally and beautifully, and have to do it all in a language that is normally not their mother tongue. However, internationals actually have a unique advantage with cover letters because the expectations couldn’t be more opposite: hiring managers want clear, precise language that isn’t poetry; an idea of how someone can break down complicated topics (such as your career history) and make it understandable. You don’t need to be the best writer in the world to do that; what you do need is research, structure, and the patience to edit your own work. Originality is not necessarily required and not always received positively. Demand for good communication skills are, however, ubiquitous–and nowadays surprisingly hard to come by. Done right, a cover letter can become a key component of your current and future job searches in Germany. Pre-Writing Preparation Foundational Organization * Create one master document with all of the following: * Completed header * Current date & place * If you are applying for similar positions, brainstorm 1-2 strong starting sentences; if you applying for positions that differ greatly from each other, I recommend you develop 5-6 starting sentences for different scenarios (Paragraph 1) * The fourth paragraph organizational information that you need to include for each position * Salutation, with a picture of your signature already copied in * Create a folder for each job you are applying to. Save the job description and resume there, and copy/paste the master cover letter document to each folder as well. Doing Company Research You need to show that you did your research (This becomes important for Paragraph Three). By now, most applicants know that. However what I’d like for you to do is go 2-3x deeper in your analysis of the company in order to be able to narrow in on what makes the company special and why you want to work for them. This pre-application research is not only helpful for writing the cover letter, but it also gives you a feel for the company AND helps you immensely when you need to interview with (because then half of the work is done). If you need to call the company for whatever reason, it is also good to do this research part beforehand so you don’t ask any questions that can be answered via online research. Places you should look/review include: * Vision * Mission * Strategy * Research & development * Compliance * CSR * Training opportunities * Digital communication style * Glassdoor * Kununu Company Research Checklist * Complete the company research (again, important: do this part one company at a time) * Website * Social media * Google news * Glassdoor & Kununu * Research the position background (who has/had it, what is their skill level, which team is it in, etc.)? Organizational information (Paragraph 3/4) * Did they ask for a salary suggestion? * Did they ask for your next available start date? * What else did they ask for? Check the bottom of the position description. Job Description Matching This is in particular for the second paragraph, in which you align their required and preferred qualifications with your educational background, experience and skills. It looks like this: Source 1 Source 2 For this activity, I recommend you print both the job description and your resume to prepare for writing your cover letter. This helps you to compare the two, do it for several job openings at one time (max. 5 at once, please!) and physically see where the different parts overlap. This may sound old-school to highlight things, but your brain literally works better when you use paper–and you can visually see where things overlap (and which gaps you will need to fill!) * Read the job description thoroughly and note down: * What are the required skills, experience and education? Highlight this in one color. * What is supplementary? Highlight this in a different color. * Where does the author place emphasis? Highlight this in yet another color. * Looking at your resume, highlight the following using the corresponding colors above: * Which of the required skills you have * Which of the required experience(s) you have * Which of the required degrees you have * What supplementary skills you have to offer * How you can address what the author is looking for (this may be highlighted in or noted down, depending on what it is) * Once you have this done, list it in bullet point form in each cover letter document. Job Description Matching Worksheet You can use this document or find the Google Sheets Version Here. Position name: Company: Link: Required Qualifications Qualification Your Skill/Ed/Exp. Example Preferred Qualifications Qualification Your Skill/Ed/Exp. Example Cover Letter Checklist Design and formatting * The cover letter is one page in length * The cover letter uses the same font (and preferably, same font size) as the resume Front Matter * Your name and contact information at the top of letter (you can also use a header) * Their name and company name at the top of the letter * Be mindful of the type (UG, GmbH) and that you have written it correctly. Double check how they write it in the job description or the website's Impressum. * Keep this as short as possible to save space, but still include this information (no shortening to increase space). * Try to keep your social's on one line if possible. * Include the date and place (e.g. Minneapolis, 17.08.2021) Subject Line * The subject line is bolded * It lists the position title exactly as it appears in the job description * Include the job ID (number) from the job description in parentheses after the position title * Only takes up one line * Avoids redundancy (e.g. “Application for the position as marketing manager position”) Salutation * Use an exact name if possible - check the team page and address the head * If there is no specific person who can be identified, use “Dear [department name] Team”, Dear [company name] Team, “Dear Hiring Committee” or something similar * Always stay formal: “Sehr geehrte” vs. “Guten Tag” Sehr geehrte/r * Women first, then men and lower case the second one * DO NOT use “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Ladies and Gentlemen” but instead “COMPANY/DEPARTMENT Team” First Paragraph * Strong opening sentence(s) to catch the reader’s attention * What are the top 3 things you have done, know, or can contribute to the role? * How can you demonstrate that you understand the position description and the tasks you will be performing? * How will you be a good representative of the organization? * This should at some point include identifying the position you are applying for, and how you learned about it * Provide 1-2 sentences clearly explaining how your education, experience, and skills correspond to the position description; this requires more detail and context * Brief definition of how you envision adding value to the company * Consider an executive summary (bulleted list) to describe exactly what you bring to the position - and make sure to change this for each application * If you have networked with anyone at the organization, mention who you spoke to and why that convinced you to apply Second Paragraph Use the Job Description Matching Worksheet to write this paragraph; these are some extra tips. * Start with the required experience, education and skills - but make it personable by going beyond listing things (e.g. instead of: “I speak German fluently” you could write “Through my German-taught master’s program I was able to hone my language skills and feel comfortable corresponding professionally in German”). * Consider using the ATARA format to write sentences for this paragraph - this will aid you in focusing in on accomplishments * Which projects can you highlight that show you using multiple skills they are looking for? * What are the key accomplishments you have had thus far in your career? * When did you achieve a promotion, or experience another positive result based on your performance? * What skills and experience do you have that others do not - in other words, what makes you stand out from the crowd? * Make use of short anecdotes or narratives to illustrate your examples Third Paragraph * Have you used any products/services that the company provides? * Have you been a fan of the company for a long time, or do you have any early memories of engaging with it (rare, but if this is your case, use/mention it!) * How does their mission, vision, values, and growth plan align with your values? * Have you noticed anything about them by following them in the news, on social media, or by attending events they have offered? * Use language and cultural factors from their web and social media presences to indicate you’ve gotten to know the company Fourth Paragraph * Include a sentence or two about your interest in furthering the conversation in an interview * If they ask for a start date, include an honest estimate of what would work for you * Include a final sentence that clearly states the way in which you as an applicant would be able to solve the problem they are trying to solve through hiring someone for this position * If applicable, include a link to your portfolio or personal website * If applicable, mention openness to move or your reason for applying (personal reasons) * Unless asked, don’t include information about salary or references * Sign off cordially and formally with "Sincerely." Tailoring * Incorporate 3-5 exact phrases/words from the job description - but make sure they are the most important ones * Incorporate an additional 3-5 phrases/words that are synonymous with key terms used in the job description * Check the company website and use 2-3 key terms that they use - this works particularly well in the Third Paragraph * Ensure you are addressing the main responsibilities and tasks mentioned early on in the letter Editing & proofreading * Read it backwards - you will find mistakes, especially for example the name of the previous company you applied to, when you do this! * Run it through a resource such as ProWritingAid, Grammarly, or Language Tool * Have at least two people read your letter - one of which should be familiar with the field, or should be a career coach * Print it out to ensure it prints well (and that you used the right document size) * Leave it sit for a day and re-read it again right before you send with fresh eyes * Consider using a tool such as Natural Readers to have it read out loud to you - sometimes you will find errors this way as well * Think about any open questions the reader might have, and see if you can proactively address them in the letter * Text is between sizes 10-12 and is a legible font * Margins are balanced and between 0.5-1 inch wide * Everything is written in the active voice, first person * Incorporate strong action verbs * Check for words used more than once * Maximum 500 words * Make sure your cover letter does not repeat or summarize your resume * Everything included is a honest and positive representation of yourself * Align the date and location you use to the one listed on your resume * The cover letter is maximum DINA4 * Only use color to highlight (e.g. the subject line) if you use color in your resume; the font should always be black * Do not highlight random words - this can be distracting to the reader General Do’s * Pay attention to the correct tone for each company * Show that you can structure information * Show that you can set priorities for the essential information and the superfluous kind * Communicate precisely in German or English * Knows about and how to adhere to German standards * Knows not to repeat the information from the CV, but rather to connect it * Use soft skills to add value if you don't have a ton of experience; make sure you are highlighting the ones that match the company’s profile and not choosing more than three to list. General Don’ts * Don’t use phrases from online examples, templates, etc. HR staff know these and will recognize them and see it as laziness. Be original and authentic by drafting your own cover letter. * Don’t you dare put pressure on them for getting back to you * Don’t ask for a visa sponsorship * Saying something in a long story form (beat around the bush way) is not helpful in the German context. Stick to communicating the essential information to the employer and doing so in a competent, clear, elegant writing style. Tips for Sending Your Application via E-Mail Some jobs require you to email your application. When you have to submit your applications this way, it is common to include a short note. These notes should include the following. Address it to the hiring manager If you’re supposed to email jobs@bigcompany.com, send the application there, but include the name of the hiring manager—whoever you addressed your cover letter to. Here are some further tips: * Keep it formal, polite, courteous and short * Elaborate explanations and introductions don’t belong here. Two sentences are plenty; three is more than enough. * Include the job title in the email body and subject * Make sure the application ends up in the right folder. Tell them how (file format) and where (attached) they’ll find the important docs (resume + cover letter). * Include your contact info and name * Put your name and contact info in the body of the email and the email signature. Sample email Dear Ms. Hiring-Manager, I am pleased to submit my application for the account associate position at Big Ads Firm. My resume and cover letter are attached in a PDF. Please contact me at myemail@bu.edu if there is a problem with the file. Thank you for your consideration, Hopeful Applicant Hopeful Applicant myemail@bu.edu 617-753-27363 Linkedin.com/in/hopefulapplicant (This page adapted from BC, 2018, p. 5) Additional Helpful Resources * Textbausteine (Text phrases for applications in German) * Text Phrases for Applications (English) * Writing Effective Cover Letters for the German Labor Market * Keyword Optimization for Resumes and Cover Letters in Germany * Structuring and Formatting Your Cover Letter for Applying in Germany Example Cover Letters Remember: These are examples to give you an understanding of what is expected. They are NOT necessarily best practice for you, because they were written by people with different applicant profiles, for a variety of positions, at different points in their careers. You are NOT allowed to copy and paste any phrases from them for your own use; again, these are examples to give you the jist of what is expected. Name Address Address Phone E-Mail Name of Company Address of Company City, Date, Year Initiative application for an Internship in XXX Dear Ms. XX, I am a master's student studying XX at the X. I am interested in an internship at XXX in XXX management or any related internship position that matches my skills. I hope to use my strong XXX and XXX skills to make the most of my education, training, and experience working in Germany. While working as an XXX at XXX I have actively used my knowledge of XXX. I am very familiar and have experience working with XXX, XXX, the German government issued pensions, retirement planning, private investor budgeting, what are the tools for saving and investing in Germany, and the digital platforms you can use to invest in these tools. In addition, I have gained knowledge of sales techniques and know how to acquire clients efficiently. Besides being fluent in English, I am improving my German and I am currently at the A level. However, as you likely saw in my resume I am a polyglot and I can learn languages quickly. I plan to finish my master’s degree in 2024, but my work experience is very important to me that’s why I am pursuing this internship. I am specifically interested in XXX because I appreciate the business model of the company. I am using XXX myself, and I have invited more than 10 of my friends and clients to open XXX accounts at XXX. Currently, I am preparing their portfolios and saving plans based on their criteria and return expectations. I even have plans to learn and help more people manage their investments and wealth using XXX. My CV is attached and I would be happy to supply references who can give you more information about my academic and work performance. I am eager to speak more about how I can contribute to your team and would welcome the opportunity to do so in an interview. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Name Address Address Phone E-Mail Name of Company Address of Company City, Date, Year Bewerbung um die Stelle als Praktikantin Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, auf der Suche nach einer neuen beruflichen Herausforderung bin ich auf Ihre Stellenanzeige aufmerksam geworden. Nachdem ich die ersten Berufserfahrungen sammeln konnte, wäre die Position als ____ nun der nächste richtige Schritt. Ich möchte mich beruflich sowie persönlich weiterentwickeln und die dazu gewonnenen Kenntnisse gewinnbringend für Ihr Unternehmen einsetzen. Derzeit bin ich im sechsten Semester meines Bachelor-Studiums im Fachbereich XXX an der Universität XXX. Durch meine Spezialisierung in XXX konnte ich theoretische Kenntnisse erwerben, die ich gerne in Ihrem Unternehmen einbringen möchte. Die Arbeit als Praktikantin bietet ergänzend zu den universitären Inhalten weitere Praxiserfahrungen zu sammeln. Ich kann Ihr Team unterstützen, indem ich mich mit den Methoden der Projektarbeit vertraut mache und komplexere Vorhaben umsetze. Durch meine bisherige Berufspraxis habe ich bereits Arbeitserfahrungen in verschiedenen Bereichen wie z.B. in der XXX und im XX & XX gesammelt. Aufgrund meiner schnellen Auffassungsgabe konnte ich meine analytischen Fähigkeiten und bestehendes Fachwissen in allen Anstellungsverhältnissen mehrwertbringend einbringen. Während meiner bisherigen Arbeitstätigkeiten wurde meine Arbeitsweise als zuverlässig, systematisch und effizient bewertet. Ebenfalls konnte ich Teamfähigkeit und Kommunikationsstärke mehrfach unter Beweis stellen. Genau das möchte ich in der neuen Tätigkeit einbringen sowie weiterentwickeln. Außerdem zeichnen mich ein schnelles Anpassungsvermögen und Flexibilität aus, nachdem ich in Ländern wie XX, XX und XX gelebt habe. In Deutschland habe ich viel an Selbständigkeit gewonnen und das würde ich gerne auf meine zukünftige Arbeit übertragen. Es freut mich sehr, schon bald mit Leidenschaft und Engagement zum Erfolg der____ im Bereich ____ beizutragen. Über eine Einladung zu einem Gespräch, in dem ich mich Ihnen persönlich vorstellen darf, würde ich mich sehr freuen. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Name Name Address Address Phone E-Mail Name of Company Address of Company City, Date, Year Application for the position of ____ I’m a XXX (location) curious XXX (role) who XXX (what you do) with a XXX approach. I am excited about the XX job opening at XX because I know that working at XX would mean working in a fast paced, agile, data driven environment—which is exactly the type of challenge I am looking for. I’ll be the first to admit, my professional background has not been linear, but don’t let that put you off. Working in such a variety of environments has given me a diverse set of design skills and a ready to learn attitude. It has also taught me to think strategically and to always look at the bigger picture. I have experience concepting and creating static and motion ads for online and social media campaigns, developing brands for a consistent user experience across channels, and creating the occasional print design project (flyers, business cards, company swag). In my most recent position, I was the design lead for one of our clients. In that role, I established social media design guidelines to reinforce the brand, managed the workflow of editorial desig projects, created new processes for design briefings, and streamlined communication (especially during COVID-19.) I worked closely with copywriters, creative producers, and other designers to create on-brand content for our client’s social media channels. In previous roles, I worked on cross-functional teams, which included stakeholders from the Marketing, CRM, Sales, and Product teams. I am currently on a work visa that is tied to my current company, so I will need a new visa to take on this job. I can start as soon as 1 October 2020. You can learn more about me and my work on my website (http://kacieloura.com) and CV. I look forward to chatting with you soon—I can be reached at phone number or at email Thank you for your time and consideration. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Name E-Mails to Employers Betreff: Praktikum im Bereich XXX Sehr geehrter Frau/Herr XXX, ich bin Stipendiat/in des Parlamentarischen Patenschafts-Programm (PPP), ein Austauschprogramm vom Deutschen Bundestag und dem amerikanischen Kongress. Im Rahmen des Programms besuchte ich bereits Kurse an der (XXX Universität), lerne Deutsch (XXX Niveau, Kursort/Schule) und wohne mit einer deutschen Gastfamilie. Zudem absolvieren alle PPP-Stipendiaten ein Praktikum in Deutschland, weshalb ich Ihnen schreibe. Durch meine Recherche (XXX oder etwas anderes) bin ich auf Ihre XXX Firma/Organisationen aufmerksam geworden, weil XXX. Ich bin selbst Absolventin des XXX (Fachbereichs) und bringe auch bereits (XXX 2 Jahre Erfahrung in/Erfahung in X, Y, Z mit). Seit meinem Studienabschluss (XXX or what you did before CBYX) arbeitete ich XX im XXX (department) und XXX (what did you accomplish). Darüber hinaus habe ich XXX. Als ich über Ihre XXX Firma/Organisationen gelesen habe, dachte ich, dass ich vor allem in den Bereichen X,Y,Z Unterstützung bei XXX im Rahmen eines Praktikums anbieten könnte. Neben Englisch spreche ich ein wenig Deutsch (XXX or something else). Ich habe auch bereits ein Praktikum bei einem XXX in den USA absolviert. Ich habe mehrere Fachsemester in XXX belegt und interessiere mich für eine Karriere nach dem PPP in der XXX (Bereich) in Deutschland. Sie können von mir eine hohe XXX Arbeitsqualität, XXX Zuverlässigkeit sowie XXX allgemeine Professionalität erwarten. Besondere Fähigkeiten in X.Y.Z konnte ich auch durch XXX Erfahrung gewinnen. Meine Bewerbungsunterlagen (Lebenslauf, Zeugnisse) habe ich angehängt. Geben Sie mir einfach Bescheid, falls Sie weitere Informationen und/oder eine postalische Bewerbung benötigen. Es wäre prima, wenn das Praktikum im Zeitraum vom 01. Juni bis 31. Juli 20XX unternommen werden könnte. Ob ganz- oder halbtags, können Sie entscheiden. Das PPP-Programm organisiert alles drumherum, wie etwa die bürokratischen Angelegenheiten, zum Beispiel die ZAV-Bescheinigung (Arbeitserlaubnis) (XXX und die Arbeitserlaubnis ist vorhanden). Die Arbeitgeber müssen nur die Aufgaben des Praktikanten in einem Praktikumsvertrag bestimmen. Weitere Details finden Sie im Anhang. Ich freue mich sehr über Ihre Rückmeldung für einen Praktikumsplatz und darüber, mich persönlich mit Ihnen über weitere Details zu unterhalten. Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass mein Praktikum bei Ihnen für beide Seiten einen Mehrwert bringen wird. Ich freue mich sehr über Ihre Rückmeldung! Vielen Dank und viele Grüße (This is for illustration purposes only - please adjust the language accordingly) Subject: Internship in XXX Dear Ms/Mr XXX, I am a scholar in the Parlamentarischen Patenschafts-Programm (PPP), an exchange program funded by the German Bundestag and the American Congress. As part of the program, I have already attended classes at (XXX University), am learning German (XXX level, course location/school), and am living with a German host family. In addition, all PPP scholars complete an internship in Germany, which is why I am writing to you. Through my research (XXX or something else) I became aware of your XXX company/organization because XXX. I myself am a graduate of XXX (department) and also already bring with (XXX 2 years of experience in/experience in X, Y, Z). Since graduating (XXX or what you did before CBYX), I worked XX in XXX (department) and XXX (what did you accomplish). In addition, I have XXX. When I read about your XXX company/organizations, I thought that I could offer support at XXX in an internship especially in X,Y,Z areas. Besides English, I speak a little German (XXX or something else). I have also already completed an internship at a XXX in the US. I have taken several semesters of classes in XXX and I am interested in a career after PPP in the XXX (field) in Germany. You can expect high XXX quality of work, XXX reliability as well as XXX general professionalism from me. I could also gain special skills in X.Y.Z through XXX experience. I have attached my application documents (resume, references). Just let me know if you need more information and/or a postal application. It would be great if the internship could be undertaken in the period from 01 June to 31 July 20XX. Whether full or half day, you can decide. The PPP program organizes everything around the internship, such as the bureaucratic matters, for example the ZAV certificate (work permit) (XXX and the work permit is available). Employers only need to specify the intern's tasks in an internship contract. Please find more details in the attachment. I am very happy to receive your feedback for an internship position and to talk to you personally about further details. I am convinced that my internship with you will bring added value to both parties. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you! Initiative Application E-Mails Betreff: Praktikum im Bereich XXX Sehr geehrter Frau/Herr XXX, durch meine Recherche (XXX oder etwas anderes) bin ich auf Ihre XXX Firma/Organisationen aufmerksam geworden, weil XXX. Ich bin selbst Absolventin des XXX (Fachbereichs) und bringe auch bereits (XXX 2 Jahre Erfahrung in/Erfahung in X, Y, Z mit). Seit meinem Studienabschluss (XXX or what you did before) arbeitete ich XX im XXX (department) und XXX (what did you accomplish). Darüber hinaus habe ich XXX. Als ich über Ihre XXX Firma/Organisationen gelesen habe, dachte ich, dass ich vor allem in den Bereichen X,Y,Z Unterstützung bei XXX im Rahmen eines Praktikums anbieten könnte. Neben Englisch spreche ich ein wenig Deutsch (XXX or something else). Ich habe auch bereits ein Praktikum bei einem XXX in den USA absolviert. Ich habe mehrere Fachsemester in XXX belegt und interessiere mich für eine Karriere nach dem PPP in der XXX (Bereich) in Deutschland. Sie können von mir eine hohe XXX Arbeitsqualität, XXX Zuverlässigkeit sowie XXX allgemeine Professionalität erwarten. Besondere Fähigkeiten in X.Y.Z konnte ich auch durch XXX Erfahrung gewinnen. Meine Bewerbungsunterlagen (Lebenslauf, Zeugnisse) habe ich angehängt. Geben Sie mir einfach Bescheid, falls Sie weitere Informationen und/oder eine postalische Bewerbung benötigen. Es wäre prima, wenn das Praktikum im Zeitraum vom 01. Juni bis 31. Juli 20XX unternommen werden könnte. Ob ganz- oder halbtags, können Sie entscheiden. (Legalities of the work authorization - insert here) Ich freue mich sehr über Ihre Rückmeldung für einen Praktikumsplatz und darüber, mich persönlich mit Ihnen über weitere Details zu unterhalten. Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass mein Praktikum bei Ihnen für beide Seiten einen Mehrwert bringen wird. Ich freue mich sehr über Ihre Rückmeldung! Vielen Dank und viele Grüße (This is for illustration purposes only - please adjust the language accordingly) Subject: Internship in XXX Dear Ms/Mr XXX, Through my research (XXX or something else) I became aware of your XXX company/organization because XXX. I myself am a graduate of XXX (department) and also already bring with (XXX 2 years of experience in/experience in X, Y, Z). Since graduating (XXX or what you did before), I worked XX in XXX (department) and XXX (what did you accomplish). In addition, I have XXX. When I read about your XXX company/organizations, I thought that I could offer support at XXX in an internship especially in X,Y,Z areas. Besides English, I speak a little German (XXX or something else). I have also already completed an internship at a XXX in the US. I have taken several semesters of classes in XXX and I am interested in a career after PPP in the XXX (field) in Germany. You can expect high XXX quality of work, XXX reliability as well as XXX general professionalism from me. I could also gain special skills in X.Y.Z through XXX experience. I have attached my application documents (resume, references). Just let me know if you need more information and/or a postal application. It would be great if the internship could be undertaken in the period from 01 June to 31 July 20XX. Whether full or half day, you can decide. (Legalities of the work authorization - insert here) I am very happy to receive your feedback for an internship position and to talk to you personally about further details. I am convinced that my internship with you will bring added value to both parties. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you! Writing a LinkedIn Summary First things first: Why do you need a summary? The summary section is used to tell your story (who you are, what you do, why you do it, etc.) in a clear and concise, professional yet interesting manner. You may use this section to address major gaps in your career (e.g. maternity leave), highlight an upcoming move, or explain your motivation for transiting between industries. This section should showcase your written communication skills. See it as a written elevator pitch: tell an entertaining, professional, quick story that makes the reader interested in learning more about you. How to Use this Handout Writing a summary is difficult because you need to strike the right tone while explaining just enough (but not too much). This handout breaks the summary down into four major parts. 1. I recommend that you first read through the questions under the section “Four major sections of a summary” and brainstorm ALL the ideas you have for each section in the “Draft your summary” section. Do not filter yourself or edit anything just yet. 2. When you think you’ve got all of your ideas written, go through each section again and highlight the parts in green (or whatever color) that absolutely must be in your summary. If you are unsure about something, do not highlight it. Don’t delete it though, just leave it there for now. 3. Add the green highlighted information to the section “Put it all together: write your summary here”, and then edit and filter to get the result you are looking for. 4. Once you are done, leave it sit for 1-2 days and then come back to it to double-check flow, content, style, grammar, etc. Before you draft your summary, please keep the following in mind: * Use brief paragraphs or bullet points * Use a conversational, yet professional tone * Write in either first (preferred) or third person * Make sure that the body and conclusion parts include relevant keywords * Do not outright write that you are looking for a new job or unemployed * Do not use overused phrases like “Demonstrated work history” * Do not add your resume to your LinkedIn profile summary section * Make sure you feel 100% confident that what you wrote is an accurate reflection of your professional self - the in-person you should be the same as the online you! Four major sections of a summary Introduction Grab their attention or explain what you are doing right now or have been doing. Here is a suitable place to include your unique value proposition (UVP). What is interesting about you as a professional? What makes you unique or exciting as an employee? What makes you stand out from the crowd? What is your UVP and what do you have to support this? Body Mention what you want to do (if you are a student); what you are doing or have done; and a brief note that shows personality. Highlight your achievements, skills, experience and accomplishments using a story format (not just listing). You can also share goals and passions and personal interests, as long as the content and tone stays professional. If you have a lot of work experience, which positions are the most relevant to what you want to do next? If you don’t have any or little work experience, which projects have helped you build which skills? What type of work (or in what area) do you want to do? Where would you like to work? What are your significant and concrete skills and accomplishments? What sets you apart outside of work? Conclusion Include specialties, areas of expertise, interests, skills, etc., in a list format. Include contact Information (email, personal website, etc.) Do you have any specific professional or academic interests or areas of expertise? Have you gained special skills in any area? Is there anything else relevant to your profession that can be included here? Extras Include examples of the work you have done, use media examples, etc. Link to a personal website or portfolio, new announcements about your work, examples of your work, etc. Draft your summary Introduction Body Conclusion Extras Put it all together: write your summary here LinkedIn Profile Checklist Getting Started ❏ To check off items on the checklist, highlight the bullet box and left-click. Then click on the check mark to show you’ve completed the item. ❏ Make sure you have changed your profile settings to private. Refer to the LinkedIn: First Steps video for more information. Profile URL ❏ Change your profile URL to your first + last name ❏ Update this on all of your other social media profiles and/or application documents Pictures ❏ Background picture represents you professionally and/or personally (e.g. work location) ❏ Your profile picture is a professional headshot or taken against a solid background with you in clothing appropriate to your field Headline ❏ Your headline describes what you are doing and/or what you want to do next ❏ Your headline includes at least 1-2 keywords ❏ Your headline is not too long (check this on the homepage - it should not fill over two lines) Location ❏ Add your current location (nearest large city & country is best) ❏ If you are planning a move to a city, note down to mention that in your summary Contact information ❏ Make sure your profile URL is correct ❏ Make sure your email is correct ❏ If you want, include your birthday About ❏ Complete the LinkedIn Summary Handout ❏ Add your summary Experience ❏ Decide on using bullet points, sentences, or a combination of both (if using both, make sure you are consistent, e.g. student jobs are in sentences, professional work in bullet points) ❏ Make sure each of your bullet points or sentences follows the TAR format ❏ Add each of your work experiences (internships, side jobs, etc. go here!) ❏ Connect the logos ❏ Add relevant media to each position Don’t have experience yet? Don’t fret! If you have little to no experience, I recommend using the experience section to highlight your university activities. Education ❏ Add your education (degrees, certificates, etc.) ❏ Add a link to the program website if the program is unique or unclear ❏ Add your study abroad as separate entries ❏ Indicate which degree the study abroad pertains to in that education entry (e.g. if you studied abroad in Paris during undergrad, add a sentence or bullet point to your undergrad degree stating this) ❏ Include any activities, awards, societies, etc. for each education experience (this is especially relevant for students with little or no work experience; if you already have work experience, be selective with what you show) ❏ Only include your high school if absolutely necessary to help the reader understand your professional trajectory Licenses & Certifications ❏ Add licenses ❏ Add certifications ❏ If the license or certification is not common, include a short description of it ❏ If you include a language certificate, indicate the level achieved in the title of the certificate; do not include test scores Volunteer Experience ❏ Add the name and organization you volunteered at ❏ If necessary, add a short (1-2 sentence) description of what you did/do Skills & Endorsements ❏ Add 5-10 skills ❏ Move the top three skills you want to be known for to the top Accomplishments ❏ Add honors or awards ❏ If an honor or award is unclear, add a short description ❏ Add up to 10 relevant courses ❏ Add the languages you speak AND the level ❏ Add organizations that you are a part of and what your role is (this includes student organizations!) ❏ Add publications (academic articles, but writing like opinion pieces) ❏ Add a project or two if relevant to your professional profile (highly recommended for students with little or no experience!) ❏ Add any other contributors to the project Interests ❏ Follow at least 5 influences ❏ Follow at least 5 companies ❏ Follow any universities you’ve attended ❏ Add yourself to your university’s LinkedIn alumni group Recommendations ❏ Brainstorm 2-3 you can ask for a recommendation ❏ Check if they are on LinkedIn ❏ Write them a personalized email asking for a recommendation Profiles in multiple languages ❏ Add your profile in English ❏ Make your English profile the default profile ❏ If your mother tongue is neither German nor English, add a third profile in your native language Planning Your LinkedIn Activity ❏ Brainstorm 5-10 post ideas ❏ Schedule in 1 hour/week for LinkedIn into your calendar (can also be two sessions of 30 minutes, or checking the app a few times a week) ❏ Post and comment every 1-2 weeks (at the very least) Adding contacts ❏ Always include a personalized message ❏ Add warm contacts (check suggestions under the “My Network” tab ❏ When you do your weekly LinkedIn check-in, look through suggestions and add warm and cold connections Final Touches ❏ Edit the sections that show on your public profile ❏ Add a public profile badge to your blog, online resume, or website ❏ Add your LinkedIn URL to other social media you have ❏ Add your LinkedIn URL to all of your career documents (resume, cover letter, etc.) Adding Connections Adding Connections * Who? How many? * People you admire * People doing work you’d like to do * Think both horizontal and vertical * Target companies and industries Personalizing Messages Regardless of if you are reaching out to a cold or warm contact, always write a message, and personalize it! Adding connections is easy with the following: * People Who Have Viewed Your Profile * Recommended for you * People you may know from * Shared connections * Mining connections Warm Outreach To personalize the message: * Read their profile, esp. summary * Consider the common denominator (Uni, subject, field, event) Cold-to-Warm Outreach * Pick the right person and explain why them (and the company), specifically * Clearly state your value proposition and your ask * Play to a shared affiliation/passion (and to their vanity) * Convey you won’t waste their time (with message brevity and ask for a short chat) Source: Garriott et al., 2022, p. 272 Example Message Hi Dawn, I’m a [insert university] hoping to get into fintech after my MBA. I noticed that we have several connections in common, and that you’re a [insert field] leader at [insert company]. I’d love to learn a little more about [insert something suitable here, e.g. your team’s priorities] and your career path. Any chance you have just fifteen minutes next week for a fellow [university name, student]? I’d greatly appreciate it! Many thanks, John Doe Follow-Up Do not forget to follow up with your new connection, both immediately and 2-6 months down the road. © Jessica Schüller | © Jessica Schueller LLC DBA “Germany Career Coach” | All Rights Reserved.