… knitted or sewn, or even patched up with a hot needle, that’s a German saying. And as this blog entry also was made at the last minute, simply because there was so much to do at Career Service this week, this saying came into my mind. For the application, it’s good to take some time to carefully compile the documents and have someone else look over everything before you press the send button. Better safe than sorry, because mistakes that you see after sending cannot be corrected. This is different with this blog entry. Fortunately you only see the final edited version!
Templates and patterns ..
… can be easily found all over the interent. From knitting patterns of winter sweaters to inspirations for the next elegant evening dress, and all sort of study and work templates, which could be very tempting for students to use. A fast solution to a seemingly complicated problem. For applications, cover letters and resumes, there are countless of templates on the Internet. My experience is that they are not helpful at all. They often even lead to a really bad presentation in the resume or cover letter, which often leads to a bad impression of the candidate. I can adapt the pattern of the garment to my size, but if I insert predefined or recommended phrases into my cover letter or resume, they remain a foreign body. What I myself want to say does not become visible. It is covered by the template. My own good idea doesn’t come up at all, and that’s a pity. Writing your resume or cover letter using your own expressive words will offer a better representation of who you are and what you can offer.
A hammer drill …
… that can drill holes in even the hardest concrete without making any noise – that’s what you want when an enthusiastic DIYer is trying out his new acquisition in the apartment next door. But drilling a hole and making no noise is a requirement profile that no one can fulfill. A similarly unfulfillable combination of requirements can also be found in some job advertisements. A pity, really. I can turn off the drill if I disturb my neighborhood. The job posting is something I should simply apply for, even if I don’t fulfill everything. Then, in case of doubt, there will be a rejection. Yes. But at last I still have the chance to get an answer and perhaps an invitation for a job interview. So why not give it a try. Good luck.
For searching …
… we have created machines: search engines. But for a search engine, you need search terms. And how do you find them? Especially when looking for a job, this is not such a trivial question. It seems easy when there is a clear job title that is also used consistently. Internist or cardiologist, for example. But already with the jobs that business economists are interested in, it can be difficult. Is the „assistant to the managing director“ now practically a vice managing director, who perhaps even has more responsibility than the managing director himself, or is it only an administratively supporting auxiliary activity?
If it becomes difficult to find search terms, it can help, even in the digital age, to take a large sheet of paper and write down what you want to do, what you can do, in the job you are aiming for. Your own skills, competencies, experience, and then what the profession demands or could demand of you. A few days later, a critically reflective look at this sheet might bring up exactly the four or five keywords that will make the job search more successful. We wish much success!
Evening office hours …
… will now be available starting in December. For those who are perhaps on a traineeship and cannot make an appointment for counselling during the usual office hours, we also offer an appointment after 5 pm twice a week. Please send us a short e-mail with your telephone number so that we can call you back. We will then offer you an appointment at a time that suits you.
“Uncertainty is the new certainty” …
… that would be a title for a feature article in one of the major weekly or daily newspapers. And the feeling and the experiences behind it in that article would then perhaps also reflect very well what moves one today when it comes to finding the right career entry.
But that shouldn’t lead to not trusting oneself with the opportunities and possibilities that are there. „Because dream jobs don’t wait“ is therefore the slogan on the posters we are now putting up all over the university. An attempt to encourage and activate. In our seminars and workshops you can acquire the necessary tools and background knowledge for a successful job search.
The little blue elephant …
… in the picture is trying to reach the telephone receiver with his ear. But at the moment, the Career Service is not so easy to reach by phone. The demand for counseling appointments is currently very high, and of course we can’t answer the phone during counseling. Therefore we ask you to send us a short e-mail (info@career.uni-siegen.de) with your request and your phone number. We will get back to you as soon as possible. – By the way, the blue plush toy that has found its place on my desk is a gift from Rainer Assion, who reported on career prospects in journalism and at WDR in career:FORUM. It was several semesters ago, but still in good memory. Thanks.
We have redesigned …
… our waiting area. Consulting and coaching can now take place in presence again. We schedule appointments so that all infection control rules can be well observed. We are looking forward to seeing you.
Good intentions …
… are one of those things that sometimes bear a certain tendency to fail. My intention to write at least one blog entry a week didn’t work. Sorry. At some point there were all the other important things that had to be done and no time left for the blog. So now a new attempt and at the start a video. Maybe it will make you interested in one of our events. And this could also be the first step implementing the resolution to do something during your studies to make sure that your career will work out well after graduation. Good luck! The video is in German. We invite you to take a look at the “German in a Nutshell” page of our website.
One has actually really …
… much to do, much too much in fact, and just now one comes to nothing, postpones everything and all the well planned tasks, especially those you were absolutely sure to do today, are undone. And it’s already 8 p.m. When you now ask yourself whether it could make sense to join a time management seminar, the answer probably may be: Yes. So why not joining the career:IMPULS seminar, this week on Thursday, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. One hour and the possibility to gain and refresh your time management knowledge and of course to get a few new ideas how you can organize time better, especially if one is straight in the application phase. Registration directly via mail to info@career.uni-siegen.de