Finding a Job in Germany – Applying outside Academia (ONLINE)
courseFurtherInformation
The job market has become more competitive. As a result, your qualifications alone are no longer enough. Success also depends on how effectively you present them and if you avoid common mistakes that often lead to rejection. In this foundation training, you will learn practical, step-by-step approaches to your job search, application documents, salaries, job interviews and the employment contract. The programme combines self-study modules to build the essential foundations with interactive workshops to apply your knowledge and optimise your job search success.
Schedule
03.11.2026 3:00 – 4:45 PM
10.11.2026 3:00 – 4:30 PM
19.11.2026 3:00 – 5:00 PM
23.11.-24.11.26 1.5 hours (Practice in small groups)
01.12.2026 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Plus min. 8.5 hours for self-study courses and further individual work tasks
Content
1. Developing a job search strategy
The seminar starts with a live-webinar in which we will deepen the awareness of competences you might have gained at the university and job profiles in the industry which might be interesting for you and how you can identify further job ideas. In the following self-study course, you get to know various options of active and passive job search strategies, incl. job databases and activities to come into contact with employers.
2. Creating application documents
In the following self-learning webinar, you will get the necessary basic knowledge on how to write your cover letter and CV, and how best to adapt your application to the job offer. You see examples for a professional application design, photos and get advice for your certificate selection. We reflect modern and traditional application aspects and deepen the understanding of your target persons. Moreover, you receive important hints how to make your profile particularly interesting for employers. In an additional live workshop, you learn the meaning of typical phrases in job advertisements and how much your chances of success are influenced by requirements you cannot fulfil.
3. Determining the salary
In a live workshop we will talk about typical salaries for job starters and criteria which can influence the salary. We practice a salary calculation method you can use to determine a salary for a specific position. At the end various research options are introduced which you can use to find out more about a company´s internal salary structure.
4. Preparing for job interviews
Afterwards you get general information about your preparation for job interviews, including suitable clothing, time of arrival and research about the company in a self-study training. You learn more about the classical interview structure and receive advice for a professional self-introduction and special interview situations such as online or by telephone. Subsequently, a video seminar explains the right approach to a salary negotiation and how to avoid common mistakes. Additionally, you get to know alternative options to substitute a lower payment offer. Furthermore, you can practice your self-presentation for interview situations and receive feedback in small groups. Appointments for each group will be made at the beginning of the seminar. In the final live workshop, we will also work out possible answers to typical questions asked by HR managers during the interview.
5. Evaluating employment conditions
In the last video course, you will learn about the nine most important topics in an employment contract. For each topic, the minimum legal requirements, the expected conditions for an academic career starter and the maximum regulations in the industry are presented. In addition, typical formulations for the contract text are shown and the calculation of the gross salary to the net salary is explained. The course will give you a better understanding of the employment contract and enable you to decide whether the conditions offered are comparatively good or bad.
Language
Live sessions will be held in English. Self-study courses are available in English and German.
Target Group
International and German doctoral researchers and postdocs who have little application knowledge and are looking for a new employment in the next 12 months.
