Questions & Answers
Concrete questions, short answers – and the magazine articles that help further.
Applying
How do I apply the right way?
A good application is tailored to the specific job: a cover letter that clearly refers to the ad, a well-structured CV and the documents requested. Check beforehand what recruiters will find about you online. Fewer, well-matched applications beat many form letters.
Why do my applications only get rejections?
Common reasons are a poor fit with the profile, generic cover letters, mistakes in the documents or simply strong competition. After a rejection, politely ask for feedback and improve one point at a time.
How do I explain gaps in my CV?
Honestly and briefly. Show what you did or learned during that time – caregiving, travel, further training, reorientation. Soft skills from that phase are often a plus if you name them concretely.
Should I include a photo in my application?
In Germany, an application photo is not required – employers may not demand one under equal-treatment law. If you include one, make it a recent, professional portrait, not a holiday snap or photo-booth picture.
What should I wear to a job interview?
Follow the industry and go one level above it: classic in banking and consulting, smart casual at a start-up. Clean shoes, the right fit, nothing that makes you feel in costume.
Which questions come up in job interviews – and what lies behind them?
Classics like “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or “What are your weaknesses?” usually test motivation, self-reflection and fit. Prepare two or three concrete examples from your career and ask questions yourself.
Starting out
How do I find a good internship?
Search early, apply selectively and clarify upfront what you will learn: a fixed contact person, your own tasks, fair pay. A good internship is often the shortest route to your first job.
Is a trainee programme worth it?
Yes, if you want to get to know several departments and the programme offers a clear plan, mentoring and a path to a permanent job. Make sure “trainee” isn’t just another word for cheap labour.
What should I do for a living?
Collect what interests you, what you are good at and what others ask you for. Try things out – internships, talks with people in the job, taster courses – instead of only thinking. Career guidance can help you sort the options.
Pay & contracts
How do I negotiate my salary?
Know your market value (salary surveys, collective agreements, network), name a concrete figure at the upper end and back it with your performance. Have alternatives ready – training, remote work or extra leave – in case there is little room on pay.
How do I prepare for my annual review with my boss?
Write down your achievements with figures and examples, think of two or three goals for next year and what you need for them. Listen, ask questions and put agreements in writing.
What should I watch out for with a termination agreement?
Don’t sign anything under time pressure. Agreeing to a termination agreement can trigger a waiting period for unemployment benefit in Germany. Severance pay, garden leave, the reference letter and remaining holiday belong in the contract. Get advice from an employment lawyer first – our articles are not legal advice.
Do I need income-protection insurance?
If you live on your income, you should know the risk: Germany’s statutory cover for reduced earning capacity is low. Whether and which policy fits depends on your job, age and health – compare offers and get independent advice.
Job search & network
How do I use social media for my job search?
A complete, up-to-date LinkedIn profile, one clear sentence about what you are looking for, and regular posts or comments on your field. Clean up private profiles – recruiters search.
How do I network the right way?
Don’t collect business cards – build relationships: give first, then take. Better a few genuine contacts you keep up with than hundreds of loose connections.
What should I watch for with headhunters?
Reputable recruiters are paid by the company, not by you. Ask about the client and the position, release your documents selectively and don’t let yourself be offered everywhere without consent.
Working life
How do I become more productive working from home?
A fixed workspace, fixed hours, clear breaks. Plan your day in the morning around three key tasks, bundle meetings and switch off notifications during focus time.
How do I get my email flood under control?
Handle mail at set times instead of constantly and decide right away: do, delegate, schedule or delete. Folders and filters save time – and so do short subject lines for the recipient.
How do I say no more often?
Take a moment to think, decline kindly and clearly without long justifications – and offer an alternative where possible. Knowing your priorities makes saying no easier.
What can I do about bullying at work?
Write down incidents with dates, involve people you trust – works council, manager, HR – and get support. Bullying is not a personal failure; the earlier you act, the better.
How do I overcome stage fright before presentations?
Good preparation, a memorised opening and calm breathing out before you start help. Some nerves are normal and keep you alert – practising in front of others builds confidence.
Health & stress
What helps against stress at work?
Name the causes, set priorities, plan breaks and exercise, and draw boundaries – such as fixed evenings without the work phone. If stress persists, talk to your manager or a doctor.
What if work is making me mentally ill?
Take warning signs such as constant exhaustion, sleep problems or withdrawal seriously and talk early to your GP, a psychotherapist or the company doctor. In an acute crisis, Germany’s Telefonseelsorge helps around the clock: 0800 111 0 111.
Self-employment
How do I become successfully self-employed?
Test your business idea on the market, plan finances and reserves, sort out insurance and taxes – and win clients early. Advice from chambers of commerce and start-up centres is often free.
Personal growth
How do I make better decisions?
Clarify the goal, write down the options, weigh the consequences – and set a deadline. Not every decision has to be perfect; learning from wrong ones matters more.
How do I deal with failure and mistakes?
Address mistakes openly, analyse the causes, learn from them – and carry on. Failure is part of success; what matters is how quickly you get back up.
The answers are brief editorial notes and are no substitute for individual advice.