Application tips

Your career aspirations are set? Suitable training positions have been researched? Then it's time for the active application phase. But how do you actually write a successful application? And what needs to be taken into account? If you want to get your dream job, you first have to convince people of your personal qualities.

We have summarized how to do this in this article. The downloadable checklists are helpful in thinking of everything. Because those who prepare well and design their documents professionally have better chances of being invited to an interview.

Inquire in advance, which application channel is preferred by the respective company.

Many companies - especially in commercial and technical areas - start their application procedures already 1 to 1.5 years in advance. In the handicraft enterprises look however quite also later. Who has a desire company in mind, should inform in time, when the application deadline ends.

No matter which application route you take, some documents are standard. These documents are usually to be submitted:

1. The cover page contains the job title, if necessary a reference number or code, the details of the company, the personal contact details and if necessary the application photo.
2. A convincing cover letter is the business card of the application. In it, the applicant or the applicant introduces himself and justifies why the selected company and the training profession fits the person. The personal signature please do not forget
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3. The tabular resume contains the personal data, the previous school career, school and voluntary internships, special skills and other relevant experience (for example, about vacation jobs, volunteer work, stays abroad or participation in special projects), hobbies and personal interests. Please do not copy a sample resume!
4. The application photo is not mandatory under the General Equal Treatment Act. It is nevertheless beneficial so that the personnel department can associate a face with the application. The application photo should be recent and taken by a professional photographer (no selfie or vacation photo). A friendly facial expression goes without saying. The clothing should be discreet and adapted to the training profession.
5. In the attachments come copies of school reports, certificates, special awards and other appropriate certificates.
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Today, most young people are on social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok or YouTube. Who is looking for an apprenticeship, should follow some basic rules in their activities on the net. Because the Internet forgets nothing and the uploaded pictures, videos and comments reveal some personal information.

Personnel managers take the social media activities of the applicants in the context of the selection process quite under the magnifying glass and pay attention to a responsible appearance on the net.

Good tip: Just google yourself. Before the application documents are sent, you should check your public profiles and clean up if necessary specifically. Switch personal profiles to private.

This is what the future employer should definitely not see:

• Party pictures with alcohol, cigarette or drug use
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• Preferential photos
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• Disparaging, derogatory and discriminatory comments
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• Extreme political attitudes
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• Spelling errors, poor grammar
• No silly profile names or fake profiles

Professional profiles that are currently maintained and professionally managed, on the other hand, can help to convince recruiters of you. This includes entries in social networks such as XING, LinkedIn and others. Here, however, private postings have nothing to look for.

For every young person in North Rhine-Westphalia who wants to do an apprenticeship, there is a training opportunity. So do not panic if it does not work out right away! Rejections are normal and can have many different reasons. Try to find out by asking what the reason for the rejection is and what to look for next time.

Let the application documents be optimized by a training counselor. Also the career counseling of the employment agency helps to improve your application.

Consider an alternative. If plan A doesn't work out, you need to come up with a plan B. It makes sense to apply in parallel to the dream job for an apprenticeship in a related field.

Or to increase the application radius and if necessary to accept a further distance or a distant training location. Trainees are financially supported in the context of extra-occupational assistance if you live away from home during training.

Under certain conditions, the Federal Employment Agency supports this with a grant in the form of Vocational Training Allowance. Also a BAFöG promotion for the training is possible.

For young people who have not found a training place on the open labor market after the start of a training year, there is the possibility to complete an introductory qualification. This bridge to vocational training runs for a period of six to twelve months and offers the chance to get to know a training occupation better. More info for young people can be found in the flyer "Your internship to training" of the Federal Employment Agency.

If you are looking for an in-company apprenticeship, the Employment Agency will, under certain conditions, provide you with subsidies for your application costs and reimburse travel expenses for job interviews. If necessary, contact your placement specialist to clarify which costs can be reimbursed. Applications must be submitted before costs are incurred. For more information on requirements and how to apply, visit the portal of the Federal Employment Agency.