Having a hard time landing a working student job :(

23 comments

1. German A2

   This will (probably) be the main reason. 

2. Yeah you need to work on your German skills. I think it’s rather difficult in automotive if you don’t speak German. Furthermore I’ve also read numerous times that people were way more successful with an application written in German.

3. i think your german language level of A2 is not enough and is causing the issues. also i personally don’t like that layout of your CV, way too much text if you ask me. usually people use a bigger font and write the important parts on it.

   also a typo right at your first experience, it’s “Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft” which again can be the result of the low language level.

4. Yes, it’s almost certain your German skills. Even for English only jobs it’s usually an unofficial requirement. And for every job that doesn’t explicitly mention anything about German you can usually assume that “fluent written and spoken German” is a hard requirement.

   Sorry to be blunt, but Germany (as well as for example France) is a very monolingual society. Not being fluent locks you out of almost all jobs, especially almost all good paying jobs.

5. As someone who is working in the automotive industry (supplier, not OEM) I don’t thinkt it’s because the A2 German but more because of the CV’s formatting. It’s way too much text. In my experience here they like shorter and to the point CVs and some of the more detailed experience you can write in the Motivationssschreiben (but this also held quite short).
   And I would also definitely take out the Summary part, it just sounds like any inflated 0815 text anyone would write.
   And please, don’t get me wrong, I do not want do “diminish” your experience or know how. It’s just that sometimes less is better and I. An imagine some just put away your application on just looking at the CV and maybe reading the first lines.

   Edit: At languages I would also change the order starting with German and ending with your native language

   Edit2: I would also recommend having CV and Motivationsschreiben in German, there are many help possibilities nowadays if you are usure with your german level

6. Between your CV format and language skills (or rather lack thereof) it seems that you would not be a good fit for a German company. It really seems that you’re just trying to apply using American standards. 

   I would suggest revamping your CV and learning German. 

7. I myself am stuck in your situation , I have a B1 German and still not it’s not enough
   No photo on your CV, plus don’t use a template. Second your summary is not precise it’s very vague and generic, if you can be very specific and precise it’s better to not have it in the first place. Third improve your German, and write your CV in GERMAN!!!!

   If you want to stay here and work you should absolutely learn the language. Lastly you need to do networking like actually try to meet the recruiters in a career event. Do your homework first. Don’t be like everyone else at the career fair, do ur due diligence and find out which companies are gonna come and apply to all the companies that are going to be at the career event, and when you meet them tell them you already applied and introduce your self and give them a printed copy of your CV and application documents.

   I can’t stress this enough I don’t know why people come here without learning the language including myself, I feel so stupid too.
   Any ways you have a lot of good experiences on your CV but like I said go to a photo place and ask them to make you a Bewerbung or portrait photo and also dress formally on your photo.

   Lastly I know I sound negative but I know how u feel and don’t feel bad about urself or be mad. You are not the only one stay positive those rejection letters are so annoying but everyone goes through them. Don’t just use linked in only try to talk to people you know or ur friends to get a recommendation it worked wonders for my friend

8. 6 years and A2, why are you even asking that question. Quit a few other things an put real effort into language learning. C1 is called working proficiency for a reason.

9. I don’t think your CV is so bad for a student job. Hit me up and I could link you up with someone I know for FEM

10. I disagree on German being the main weak point.

    To be honest, there is quite some generic stuff in the introduction (advice against writing “highly motivated”).

    This is also too much text, either reduce it and keep it in 1 page, or just increase the font and spacing and keep it less that 2 pages (I did this and although I had A1 German – still have A1 🙁 – I got accepted into an automotive IT job).

    IT jobs (my experience in automotive) are quite needed, actually are needed a lot and a lot only require a really good level of English.

    Best of luck 😀

11. Has this sub become a CV proofing sub?

    A few things : A2 is not intermediate, it’s elementary; CV is in English; CV is not in the typical tabular form ; no employer will care about your 10th grade performance; why is there an 82% next to your bachelor degree ? ; Is there a profile picture ? It’s common to put a picture on your CV in Germany (although it’s fading out, apparently).

12. In Germany you format your CV as a table. Most job sides also ask for a “tabellarischer Lebenslauf”. Type that into Google and you’ll see what it is supposed to look like. Avoid a lot of text. Only use key information. Make them understand that you know your stuff but don’t brag (the summary in your provided CV sounds like bragging).

13. Your CV is cluttered. The summary is vague, uses words like “adequate” that intentionally paint you worse. “Empowering others” is meaningless.
    What is 82%? I would leave it out completely. 
    “Demonstrated mastery of the automotive industry”, what do you even mean here? Are you an expert? This is vague and somehow boasting. What did you *do*? 
    Your use of periods is inconsistent, strive for consistency. Your company names are sometimes in capitals, sometimes not. 

    I am also not sure whether A2 German is “intermediate”, I would categorize it as beginner. Leave the descriptors out, just put the A2. 

14. There is one German word in your CV and it’s the wrong Gender: it is called: „wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft“ just delete the r.

    Good luck.

    Edit: wissenschaftliche refers to the word Hilfskraft wich is female, no matter you are male.

    That’s why it’s called wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft.

    E.g. Text is masculine in German:

    So you would write: wissenschaftlicher Text.

    Good luck improving your German soon. We know it’s complicated 🙈👍🏻✌🏻

15. i know people say a CV should be 1 page max but I simply don’t understand how anyone would prefer a crammed 1 page CV to a nicely layouted, easy on the eyes 2 page CV.

    I’ve personally always had a 2 page CV and never had any problems

16. Aside from the unfortunate language issue, RWTH Aachen is a label of quality – am quite confident you’ll find a great opportunity soon. Best of luck!

17. I don’t think you can call yourself an experienced design and development engineer if you’ve only got experience as an intern. If I received this CV I’d be thinking you’re the standard just graduate that thinks you know everything. So maybe rephrase your summary

    Edit: OR remove the summary all together!

18. I don’t believe it’s a language issue. Right now companies are pushing for more intern and werkstudent hiring. First semester people from my course immediately started jobs in Bosch, Benz etc after arriving in Germany. Even the ones without any German proficiency. Maybe it is the city that is an issue. I live in Stuttgart, and the only people from the electrical and CS course who are not doing a werkstudent or an internship are the ones who don’t want to work.
    We see this across semesters, across sub specialisations.

19. Rewrite your summary it’s too generic… Remove Hindi from the languages (not needed) and move German up to first place.

20. Why is the CV not in German if you are applying in Germany?

21. My opinion on possible improvements:

    Use phrases, not long sentences. Get rid of “bragging”: “Apprenticed with seasoned technicians” sounds over-the-top. German culture is fact-based. Simply use bullet points stating your duties. Same thing with the summary; it sounds like an advert. This kind of thing goes over well with Americans, but a German would be afraid to hire someone who thinks he can “empower others to deliver the best possible product”. Use a few good adjectives: motivated, flexble, experienced in project management.

    List projects last, after languages. Add language levels (A1 to C2). Add a small section with hobbies and interests. Maybe something creative, like video animation and something athletic, like hiking? Just so you don’t seem so painfully boring and work-driven. 😉

    Also, perhaps translate the whole thing into German.

22. Just an addition to what others wrote:

    You are not an „experienced design and development engineer“.
    I would not hire a recent graduate with a few internships if he thinks of himself like that.

23. A2 is not intermediate lmao