Workshop during the Innovation in Photonics Course in the Lichtwerkstatt Makerspace 2022

Alliance Successful Job Application 2021

The workshop was part of the soft-skill program offered within the Jena Alliance Life in Focus - A Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung project.
Workshop during the Innovation in Photonics Course in the Lichtwerkstatt Makerspace 2022
Image: Steffen Lukas, FSU Jena

The workshop was held on November 4, 2021 as part of the soft-skill program offered within the Jena Alliance Life in Focus - A Carl Zeiss Foundation Project.

Changes in application procedures in light of digitalization

Methods and procedures in the recruiting process change due to digitalization - but one thing remains essentially the same: as an applicant you must be able to briefly elaborate why you are the right person for the position. Applications in Academia follow different rules than applications in the
private or public sector: in this workshoo we highlighted the differences and provide useful information for all fields.

In many countries, an Academic Portfolio is the required document for applications (promotion, tenure and annual reviews) for academic staff. It provides anopportunity to detail your experience in teaching, research and academic administration and service. An Academic Portfolio is a summary of your major activities and accomplishments, documenting the nature and extent of your contributions as well as your role and achievements. We introduced this specific sort of application document and provide tips to assemble a convincing portfolio.

Key features of the workshop

There are many workshops about successful job applications. In this one, the key questions addressed were:

  • Public service - public sector - private enterprise - science: this is what the requirements and expectations for CVs and cover letters look like in the various areas
  • Applying to academia abroad: Academic portfolio as an application document (mandatory in Scandinavian and many English-speaking countries)
  • Cover letters made easy: a method for formulating meaningful cover letters that are related to the respective requirements
  • Apply in the classic way: cover letter, curriculum vitae and documents for the application by paper mail (or email) - with reference to job advertisements or on your own initiative
  • Online application: make optimal use of application portals (e.g. Fraunhofer, MPG, etc.).

The individual coaching took place in fixed time slots, which were communicated to the interested participants in a binding manner. The coaching length per person was to 60 minutes 

Coach profile of Dr. Eva Reichmann

Own practical experience in personnel selection:

  • Since 2011: beruf & leben GbR supports small companies in demanding personnel selection processes for personnel with an academic background (e.g. Hebie GmbH & CO KG, advanced training academy Reckenberg-Ems gGmbH) 
  • 2004 - 2010: As part of the work in the "SLK_5 Service Advice for Studies, Teaching and Career" division, design and implementation of annual selection assessments for the "Students and Business" and "Europe-Intensive" programs. Advice and conception of the personnel selection process for the Faculty of Law for specialist communication trainers (with subsequent training of the personnel).
  • 1998 - 2004: worked as a consultant for companies with a focus on human resources and organizational development. In this context, conception and implementation of selection assessments (e.g. for RAG Bildungs Essen, Machwürth Team GmbH Visselhövede, management program BASF-Coatings)