In the Eleventh Hour: Three Strategies for Securing Employment
As the year's training commencement approaches, unfilled positions in some organizations present an opportunity for late applicants. "Even at the last minute, it's possible to secure a training spot," asserts Susanne Eikemeier, the spokesperson for Germany's Federal Employment Agency (BA). She encourages the applicants not to lose hope. Three strategies that could aid in the hunt for a spot:
Explore various platforms
Many granting institutions for training have an active presence across various mediums. A comprehensive search is essential. On Handwerk.de, for example, there's an apprenticeship app named 'apprenticeship radar' for craft professions. Job portals such as Stepstone, Indeed, and LinkedIn also offer training placements.
The BA's official website, Arbeitsagentur.de, features a training placement finder. Eikemeier suggests that some regional employment agencies hold last-minute events, so check with your local one or look up the details online.
The BA spokesperson underlines the point, "The placement process is still ongoing. I can still speak with a career counselor at the employment agency. Career counseling may also mediate." Youth can register for counseling online on the employment agency's homepage or call 0800 4555500, often at short notice.
Some companies also use social media to announce apprenticeship opportunities. However, the applicants must actively search for such listings and have a specific destination in mind.
Broaden your horizons at the local level
"Explore local businesses you might not have thought of previously," suggests Eikemeier. It's not just the large, well-known companies that offer training spots. Smaller businesses often boast advantages like a flatter hierarchy and a more personal work environment.
Expanding your search radius can be beneficial, but it ultimately depends on the context. If mobility is an issue due to age, a relocation might not be feasible yet.
Adapt to the industry
If the desired career path hasn't yielded results, it's worth looking into related industries. "There may be a profession adjacent to your desired one, which you can eventually transition into over your career," emphasizes the BA spokesperson.
For instance, instead of pursuing industrial business management, one could consider retail, opt for cookery instead of restaurant specialist, or be a technician for agricultural and construction machinery rather than motor vehicle mechatronics. The employment agency provides young people with tools like "Check-U" and "Berufe.TV" to aid in the search. And indeed, personal career counseling can be of immense help.
Employers in various industries often utilize job portals to advertise training opportunities, such as Stepstone, Indeed, and LinkedIn. Additionally, some employers utilize social media to announce apprenticeship positions, so it's essential for applicants to actively search for such listings on platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
