After finishing university every graduate asks himself: how do I get the job I really want? Within this blog entry I will try to give you some insights how my way to RB looked like. Maybe this can become your way, too.
1st step: the application.
Find your own style but be aware of the local formalities.
Formalities: The first look is always at the form. Take a look at letters you got from serious companies. You will realize that the format is serious as well. Take this as an example. Colleagues from the HR department get hundreds of applications. So be aware that there are no bigger mistakes within your formalities. Here is a good website for all you German readers. It gives very good insights of the formalities of applications in Germany.
Your own style: Be unique. Take care of the formalities but within those – find your own way. When I was younger sport was a big part of my life. In every application you will find something about this part of me. In addition I love other countries, other cultures. Find a way to express yourself. E.g. I always mentioned that I am a son of the sailor and that this might the reason for my passion for different cultures. Take a look at your life – what makes your heart beat faster?
2nd step: the telephone interview.
Be prepared but be yourself – do never prepare whole sentences or words for the talk.
The preparation: Take a look at the website of the company. I found a lot of information about RB and thought how I could fit in this culture. Search for press releases. Go to Youtube and watch some adds:
After that I made a list of things which might be important. Strengths, weaknesses, goals in 5 years, goals in 10 years, why do I want to join RB, why should RB pick me, questions.
The call: Wiebke, the Senior Human Resources Advisor, of our business in Germany called me that day. From the very first beginning I had a very good feeling. I was in the city that day where Wiebke grew up. A good start. Something like this is good to stay in mind. Maybe Wiebke had ten calls that day – but I am sure she remembered that I was the one who was in her home town when we talked. Ask the interviewer personal things. If the topic is sports or hobbies. Why shouldn’t you ask the interviewer about his passions? Maybe there is a connection. The BCG offers some good interview tips as well.
3rd and 4th Step: the personal interviews.
At RB I had two personal talks. The first one was with Wiebke and Benno, our Head of Field Sales and Head of Trade Marketing. The second one was with two Marketing Managers. That first day we had two topics: a case study with an analysis and the personal talk. The second day included “only” a personal interview.
The case: Again the preparation comes first. It was my first case study ever. So I searched the web and found this very good site by McKinsey where you are able to practices cases. Take your time and go through the steps. It helped me a lot to understand what a case study is all about. In my case the study had a lot of numbers about market shares, turnover, net revenue and so on. My first thought after my first look – ok, I will leave NOW. In this situation, stay cool. I read it again, made notes. The topic can be about everything. E.g. the company want to join a new market or want to launch a new product. How are the action steps? So, I made my analysis. I focused on the things I understood and I put my action plan up the flip chart but: I was too late. Five minutes before I finished Wiebke and Benno entered the room. My thought: it is over now. And again: stay cool. No one will cut your head off. I finished my paintings and presented my ideas. I am sure not everything was correct but I had my plan and answers to the questions. If I did not understand everything – no problem. Benno explained it to me. Everything was very fair.
The personal talk: the tips and tricks are almost the same as I wrote above within the part about the telephone interview. Most important thing again: be yourself! Benno told me afterwards that after the talk he had the feeling that he really knew who I am.
When I take a look back at the whole application process I recommend one most important thing: be yourself and always start the talk with a big…
…smile.
