Application Tips
A successful application process takes time. However if things have to move quickly, you can find last minute help here.
The information here should just help you orient yourself within the application process. For more comprehensive preparation, use our program of events, or learning space, or the personal advising services. Information on these services can be found on the page for career.
Despite the corona crisis, the RWTH Career Center Team is still available for application checks and personal questions about your future career plans by phone, email, or Zoom.
Simply arrange an appointment by email.
Application Portfolio
There is a large variety - which folder should you choose? Here you can find tips on the application folder (de) and on sending your application.
Cover Page - the first page
Find out out to format the first page, and look at an example cover page (de).
Letter of Application / Cover Letter
Read which guidelines apply to German-style cover letters, what you should include in the content, and what mistakes you should definitely avoid. You can also find tips for Chinese letters of application (in Chinese).
We clarified the formal format for a letter of application (de) in an example for you.
Here you can also find useful phrases for your letter - for both German and English versions.
Letter of Motivation / Statement of Purpose
In some application processes, applicants are requested to include a letter of motivation. In this letter, you are to introduce you and your abilities and explain in detail why you are interested in the position or why you want to participate in the program. We have compiled some useful tips on how to write a Motivational letter (de) in a PDF document.
Application Photo
We also provide you with information on who should take your application photo (de), how you can make sure you look your best, and where the photo belongs. There are also tips on the application photo for Chinese applications (in Chinese).
Résumé
What guidelines you should abide by when creating your German-style résumé and where you should start. You can also find the requirements for a Chinese résumé (in Chinese) here.
Application in English
Cover Letter (de) : What is the purpose of the English cover letter? How do I write it? What are the differences for a cover letter Great Britan and the USA?
Résumé (de) : structure, features, literature recommendations for an American résumé
CV (de) : structure, features, and literature recommendations for a British résumé
Useful phrases: Word and sentences that can help when doing an application in English
Online Application
An overview of online application (de) formalities and characteristics that you should be aware of.
The Assessment Center
Don't be afraid of the Assessment Center (de): We describe the purpose of the AC, how it works, and how you can prepare yourself. Here you can find sample exercises and tips for the individual exercises (de) and the group exercises (de).
Interview
Interviews (de) serve to help employers get to know an applicant as a person. For this reason, you will be asked many questions (de), that you should be well-prepared to answer.
Business Lunch
Table manners among others say a lot about professional etiquette and have a large impact on the success of business decisions. Here are a few tips for preparing for your first business lunch (de).
Tip
Doing research online can help you orient yourself. Many places publicize current salary overviews, that can give you a point of reference for your salary negotiations.
Salary & Salary Negotiations
Salary negotiations are always a matter between two partners. Aside from fixed wage agreements, the negotiations are for finding out, who is prepared to give effort and what kind of effort. Thus, it is important to inform yourself what is normal for the field and to determine what your own bottom line is. Do not just pay attention to your salary in these negotiations. It may also be interesting to discuss personal development tools. Are there concrete further development possibilities, is work abroad already planned or expected, will the salary be re-discussed after a certain time period?
Further elements of this negotiation could be a company car, travel cards, additional insurance, realtor and moving costs, working hours, contract lengths, and other further aspects.
You need to clarify the following before the negotiations:
1. What qualifications do I have and how valuable are they?
2. What is the typical pay for this field?
3. How much do I want to earn and what is the least I can earn?
4. What am I prepared to give for my pay?
5. What additional services should be taken into consideration during the negotiations?
You can find a few salary tables here that could you orient yourself: