Whether mechanical engineering, law, medicine or business administration - as we all know, studying can not only be instructive and occasionally even fun, but also full of hardships and a good deal of exam stress. But once you have collected all the necessary certificates and finally passed the final exam, most doors to the professional world are wide open - be it with a bachelor's or master's degree. However, the path to your first permanent position can be long and difficult if you are not sufficiently prepared for the application process. But how does this actually work? What stumbling blocks do new university graduates need to pay particular attention to? And what goes into a completely successful application?
Before you even start thinking about the application, the content of the CV or the possible course of the interview , the first step is to look for a job. It is best to ask yourself in advance which industry you would like to work in in the future and which tasks and areas of activity best suit your own skills, qualifications and ideas. And so that the search for the right job offers is actually successful, you should, if possible, use all the opportunities and sources that are currently available. In addition to the “classics” such as career fairs and the employment agency, this also includes the numerous online job exchanges.
On these portals you will find a large selection of current job offers, which can be conveniently filtered according to your personal wishes and interests. In addition, in some cases you can even summarize all relevant information about yourself in a so-called online portfolio and make it available to headhunters. This can mean that, in the best case scenario, you don't even have to look for your dream job yourself, but rather are found by them. You also have the opportunity to apply to the desired company directly and without any further detours using an online form. And this is exactly where we tie in with the original question: What do university graduates have to pay attention to when applying to ensure that their career entry is a complete success?
This is what the perfect application looks like: everything you need to know about cover letters, CVs, etc.
First of all, it should be said that applying is by no means child's play just because you have a university degree. Unfortunately, resting on your deserved laurels is not an option. Instead, you should concentrate on submitting an all-round successful application that can convince even the most critical HR manager. And in the following overview we will take a closer look at what such an application should look like, what content should not be missing and what else you need to pay attention to.
Step 1: The cover letter
Every good application begins with a cover letter that is at least as good. The most important thing here is to convince the HR manager with just one DIN A4 page that you are potentially the right and best candidate for the job. To do this, it is imperative to convey your own strengths in a targeted and plausible way - without neglecting spelling and grammar. In addition, when presenting yourself, you should not exaggerate or even resort to untruths. Anyone who lies in their application must always expect that starting their career will turn into a real disaster. Instead, you should present yourself openly and honestly, show who you are, what you can do and why you are actually applying for this particular position. Tip: An exceptionally worded introduction can help to break the ice - for example, by building a bridge in the introduction between your personal interests and the requirements listed in the job advertisement.
Step 2: The CV
The main purpose of the Vita (short for Curriculum Vitae) is to show the decision-maker that you have the necessary qualifications and skills that, ideally, perfectly match the job requirements. When creating your CV, you should therefore make sure that it is as informative and meaningful as possible. Accordingly, it is advisable not just to list all previous stations and study programs one after the other, but also to describe them in more detail. This allows the recruiter to get a precise picture of the applicant without having to do their own research. It is also important to give the Vita a sensible structure (on a maximum of two DIN A4 pages) and an attractive layout. Important: Please do not exaggerate, because curved fonts and playful graphic elements have absolutely no place in a professional application.
Step 3: Certificates and other attachments
Let's now move on to the attachments, which are also an important part of an all-round successful application. As a university graduate, it is normally sufficient (and unless otherwise requested) to attach your university degree certificate. Old school certificates and certificates from the university, which prove that you also voluntarily attended other courses, can still be submitted later if desired. In addition, a positive internship certificate can provide the HR manager with information that you have already had practical experience in the world of work. Important for applying by email: All attachments should be clearly summarized in a single PDF file, with a file size of no more than four megabytes.
Finally, a tip: The Federal Employment Agency also offers some interesting information and assistance for the successful transition from university to permanent employment. And as the saying goes: knowledge is power.
