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Are you a student at Frankfurt School and looking for a job? Buckle up! I’m about to share my experience in finding a job (full-time or internship) after your studies.
The two main ways to find out about the program or the position you are going to apply to are online or through a contact. I found out about the program I applied for through a contact I met at the meet Frankfurt School career fair. It was a great opportunity for me as an international student to personally introduce myself to the professional world.
After various interesting conversations whilst networking, I updated my resume and wrote a cover letter for the position in German. (If you have German level B1 or higher, I’d recommend writing your application in German as it will show the employer your language skills more than just mentioning it at the bottom of the resume). I made an appointment with the FS Careers Services and had my application documents checked over by Ms. Lea Kaus. She was extremely helpful and answered all the questions I had so that I could submit my application with confidence.
Two months later (yes, the application process in Germany can take a while!) I received an invitation to complete a pre-recorded video interview, which is a new interview technique that more and more companies are using. It can be frustrating to answer questions while looking at yourself but be confident and wear headphones so that you sound clearer. I later learned that these were advantages I had over the other applicants.
A month later, I received an invitation to a first round of personal interviews. This round consisted of four 30 minute interviews, each with a different member of staff. I was fully prepared for my interviews as Ms. Kaus provided me with typical interview questions beforehand. There were questions about the company itself, a few personal questions about how you would work in the team, some technical questions which would vary depending on what position you apply for and behavioral and competency based questions based on your past experiences.
The second round of interviews was similar to the first round but with two major differences: Less technical questions and more senior employees. In this round the employers want to know if you are a good fit for the team and the company. The key here is to be confident and remember that if you’ve reached this point then you are being considered as one of the first choices.
Two weeks later, I got a call from the company with an offer! It was one of the biggest moments of my life and I have to say, the feeling was pretty awesome.
The first weeks of my internship program were very important because you learn about the company procedures and how to use the system. The crucial tip here is to take notes because there is a lot of detailed information to take in, and once your training is over you’re expected to know what to do with little or no help.
After sharing my experiences, here are my last tips for you: Be confident, learn or improve your German language skills as much as you can and to take notes. Don’t let rejections or failed interviews discourage you from applying again. If a kid from the streets of Baghdad landed a job in an investment bank in Germany, then so can you. Good luck to all of you guys and don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Frankfurt School gGmbH
Adickesallee 32-34
60322 Frankfurt am Main
