5.1.6 Find a mobility online

5.1.6.1 Preliminary steps

The primary scope of this Erasmus+ Project called DAMAS (Digital Apprentices Mobility in the Automotive Sector) is indeed the Automotive Sector.

 You will find below a description of the first steps to search for a mobility abroad:

 https://www.praktikumsstellen.de/praktikum-ratgeber/praktikum-in-der-automobilindustrie.html

BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche are lucrative employers.

From development and production to sales, the areas of work are wide-ranging and very exciting.

Many people aspire to get a job in the automotive industry.

Since the number of competitors is very high, it is important to apply for an internship as early as possible.

Large companies schedule the application procedure up to a year in advance.

It is advisable to apply to local companies first.

Experience gained in small or medium-sized local companies is very valuable.

Interns in smaller companies often get more profound insights into activities and processes than in bigger ones.

Later you can use the experience and knowledge, to apply to the big lucrative employers of your choice.

Before you start with your internship, you should ask yourself a few questions:

• Do I have the required qualifications?
• How long should the internship last?
• Will it be remunerated? If so, is the remuneration enough to make ends meet? If not, what is my financial workaround for these weeks?

If possible, you should try to build on your theoretical knowledge.

It can be difficult to do an internship in an area in which you have not yet acquired any basic knowledge. 

Before you start your internship, make sure that you refresh some basic knowledge, that most companies in the automotive industry require.

It is also important to gather information about the company, in which you will do your internship.

You should know what the basic expectations/requirements are for interns.

Further, you should have a basic idea of the departments and the areas of work you will be involved in. 

Preparing for an internship takes time and you have to do a lot of research, but it’s well worth it.

Internships are often door-openers and the first step to a career.

Before applying, we advise you to think about your strengths and weaknesses.

The best way to do this is with a self-profile analysis:

• Which seminars and lectures did I enjoy the most?
• What are my professional and personal interests?
• Do I want to work on my own project or would I rather be part of the office routine?
• What would I like to learn during the internship?
• In which companies would I like to work?

Exercise

5.1.6.2 Your way to a successful interview

• Read a training offer very carefully and paid very much attention to all requirements.
  
  
• To find out what an employer/company is looking for  is to gather information on the internet (history of the company, people, names…).
  
  
• On that basis you then compiled your application (especially the cover letter) carefully.
  
  
• You now have a job interview coming up? Congratulations and ...Don’t be nervous about it.
  
  
• The best way to get ready for an interview is to take the time to review the most common interview questions you will most likely be asked.
  => Knowing what to expect can eliminate a lot of stress and help you feel confident.

What to take with you for an interview in presence

• Pad & pen - Don’t forget your glasses if you need them
• Copy of the application portfolio
• Some interviewers ask for a presentation portfolio or sample of work -> Take your tablet or other important items with you if necessary
• Dresscode : Your clothes should be appropriate. A suit is not mandatory, except for certain occupational groups (e.g., if you want to work in a bank).  No casual wear such as sweatpants and jogging trousers. A job interview is a formal event.

Job interview online

When you have an online job interview, the same principles apply as for a regular one.

However, there are some advantages and disadvantages, which you should be aware of:

Advantages of an Online interview

• You are in your familiar surroundings
• No extra costs for driving
• All the documents are ready at hand
  

Disadvantages

• You need a stable internet access
• Some IT knowledge is necessary 
  
  

1. Make sure that the technology works reliably
2. Make sure your internet connection is stable
3. Make sure your webcam, micro & speakers work
4. Make sure the access to the conference software is available and functioning
5. Make sure the lighting is appropriate (not too bright / dark)
6. Dress code / body language as in in a job interview in presence!
7. Pay attention to your background! It should be tidy and clean and there shouldn’t be any inappropriate items visible

How to behave in a job interview

1. It is normal to feel nervous before a job interview.
2. Try to relax and to be as calm as possible. Remember that all that the interviewer wants, is to get to know you.
3. Be punctual (very important), polite and friendly.
4. When people introduce themselves to you, try to memorize their names.
5. Don’t forget to turn off your phone.
6. Body language is very important when we try to make a good impression.
7. Try to keep a relaxed posture and keep your back straight, but not stiff.
8. Leaning in slightly when someone is speaking to you further demonstrates that you are actively listening.
9. When the conversation starts, always maintain eye contact.
10. Don’t talk too fast and let the other party finish before you answer.
11. Take time to think before you respond because some questions might be tricky.
12. It is recommendable to be honest with your answers but try to phrase things positively.
13. What employers primarily look for in a candidate is willingness to perform and interest.
14. If you can be convincing about both accounts, your chances of getting the internship/job will increase significantly.

Inappropriate interview questions

Employers have a legitimate interest in knowing applicants well before they hire them.

A job interview is therefore a chance for the interviewer, to find out important information.

Be prepared to answer a lot about yourself but be aware that there are limits to what you really need to answer in order to get a training period. 

Here is a list of questions that are considered inappropriate:

• Questions about your religious beliefs
• Questions about your political convictions
• Questions about your sexuality
• Questions about Trade union activity
• Questions about your health
• Questions about family planning
• Questions about your criminal record
• Questions about possible debts

Answers to any of the questions above, might lead to discrimination against certain candidates, which is why they are illegal.

If you get asked illegal questions, you are allowed to lie, since the interviewer is legally prohibited from asking you these things.

A fair interviewer will never ask such questions though.

Trick questions you might get

An interviewer knows how to test applicants.

One way to make a job candidate feel a little uncomfortable is by asking tricky questions.

Trick questions might address certain issues with your CV or they might be questions that are difficult to answer.

The aim is to see how you cope with a stressful situation and also, to see if you start contradicting yourself under pressure.

Don’t panic if they ask you a question like that and try not to lose your thread of thought.

Take breaths in between as needed and think before you answer.

Possible Trick questions are:

• Have you already thought about the idea of becoming self-employed?
• Prepare yourself also for questions about your CV and gaps in it
• What have you done in the time of your  of your "professional reorientation"?

Common questions:

The best preparation for a job interview is to prepare for the most common questions - see below, along with several exercises that will help you through this interview exercise.

►Why are you interested in working at this company?

►Why should we choose you?

►What was your work relationship with your last supervisor like?

►What salary do you expect?

►Tell us something about you that we should know.

►What irritates you the most about other people and how to you cope with it?

►What are your strengths?

►How do you cope with changes and challenges?

►What’s your work style?

►What scares you the most?

►What are your weaknesses?

►Describe yourself with three character traits.

►Do you believe in God?

►If you find out that one of your colleagues misbehaves or does something illegal, what would you do?

►What makes a good supervisor?

►What is your sexual orientation?

►Do you focus on the details or the vision?

►What kind of conflicts have you experienced at work and how do you feel about them now?

►How do you realize that you did a good job?

►Tell us something about you, that we can’t find on your CV.

►Give us an example of a conflict, that you were able to resolve.

►Can you think of reasons why someone wouldn’t want to work with you?

►What do you do when you realize that you have weaknesses in certain areas?

►How do you rate your ability to perform tasks independently?

►How do you cope with stress?

►How do you handle criticism?

►How do you maintain your physical and mental health?

Exercises

1. Which of the above questions would you consider inappropriate?
   
   
2. Categorize the valid questions as one of the following types:

• Questions about your motivation
• Questions about your ability and willingness to perform
• Questions about you as a person
• Trick questions

• It should be about two minutes long (no longer than three)
• Include only relevant information, e.g. work experiences and skills that fit the job opening/internship
• Use examples, e.g. instead of just pointing out that you had some insight into accounting, elaborate on it: “I was fortunate to be involved in creating the annual report and learned how to work with accounting software X”