Germany awaits qualified railway workers from abroad
According to DB public relations officer Marian Michael Günter, specialists with diplomas obtained abroad are already employed in this German concern today. There are no special requirements or restrictions for foreigners. In addition to professional experience, they need to demonstrate good knowledge of the German language and convincing motivation.
On the official website, you can take a test that will help you understand in which department to look for the desired job. In addition, the subsidiaries Arriva and DB Schenker also have special portals for foreign candidates.
Deutsche Bahn offers two postgraduate programs for university graduates. Those who have not yet decided on a specific position are advised to complete a one-year internship – the Traineeprogramm. Over 12 to 18 months, newcomers get to know the structure of the concern, work in several departments, and try themselves in various positions. This internship can be started at any time.
As Marian Michael Günter explained in an interview with Deutsche Welle, when a suitable vacancy is found but you are not sure you can pass all the selection stages, it is better to undergo training under the Direkteinstiegsprogramm, which is aimed at a specific position. The internship will take from six months to one and a half years. For the candidate, this is an excellent opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired at university in practice, show themselves in the best light, get to know the management, and successfully pass the final interview.
If your knowledge and experience already meet certain requirements, you can send your resume directly. Job applications to Deutsche Bahn are accepted only online. After selecting the desired vacancy, you must register in the system and fill out an electronic form, to which documents in PDF format are uploaded as an attachment. You should decide not only on the position but also on the region of the country where you plan to work.
At this stage, the employer requires a standard set of documents: a cover letter indicating your current place of work, a tabular resume, copies of diplomas and certificates of internships. After receiving your application, you will definitely receive a confirmation response by email. After that, you just have to wait for a call – either with a rejection or an invitation to a telephone interview.
According to the company's website, during the telephone interview, attention is primarily paid to the candidate's communication skills – sociability, resourcefulness, and the ability to find a way out of the most unusual situations. The interviewee will definitely be asked to step into the role of a Deutsche Bahn employee and present a plan of action to solve a task. At the end of the interview, do not forget to ask the employer a few questions about the vacancy – they will indicate your interest and greater motivation to get the desired job.
After a successful telephone conversation, you will be invited to a group selection of candidates using the assessment-center method. This method of personnel evaluation is often used in large companies. In the course of one day, you will need to handle several different tasks: a test of analytical thinking, teamwork, participation in a discussion, and creating a presentation. At the end of the day, all candidates receive feedback with a list of strengths and weaknesses, unique personal qualities.
But the competition does not end there: the most successful are invited to a personal interview. It will differ from the telephone conversation: Deutsche Bahn employees will definitely ask what the candidate knows about the concern, and will ask them to imagine themselves at work in five years – what prospects and opportunities does the employee see in this company?
Of course, the employer does not reveal all secrets, so it is impossible to predict what questions will be asked during the personal meeting. In any case, applicants should carefully study the section of the official website for those who want to build a career in this company.