Finding a Work Placement

I knew from fairly early on that I wanted to do a work placement on my year abroad. I don’t have a huge amount of work experience, so I thought it would be the best thing for me to both improve my language skills and my CV.

I started applying for work placements and internships in December once term ended and applied for about 15 jobs in total I think. I found placements through my university system and also exhausted google with my constant searching. I couldn’t find huge amounts of placements so instead focused on making sure each application I sent was well written and tailored to the company. Some companies I never heard back from and a couple of translation companies sent me tests which I didn’t pass. In the end I did 4 interviews, about 6 tests and received 2 job offers for my year by the end of February. One in Berlin and also one at a translation company in Mönchengladbach.

In order to gain a work placement I would recommend:

• Spending time working on you German CV (very different format to the UK) and get it checked by a native German.
• Use every resource you have to find companies who might be able to offer you a placement. Try and contact older students at your university for advice!
• Make sure to send a cover letter with your application and use the format and register which is expected in Germany.
• Put time aside for translation company tests (they can be quite long!) They are good practice for your degree as well as important for your application.
• Don’t be too nervous for your interview. Interviewing in a foreign language is scary but all of my interviewers were very understanding and didn’t speak too quickly!

Use this link for help with a German CV and cover letter

 

Finding Accommodation

Finding somewhere to live in Berlin became quite stressful for me. I confirmed my Berlin placement at the end of January and wanted to get my accommodation sorted as I had been warned of the competitive nature of the Berlin rental market. By the time exams finished in June I was an avid user of WG-gesucht; I still think this is the best way to find a flatshare in Berlin. I was busy for June and July and unable to go and look around a flat and this didn’t work in my favour. I did a few skype interviews and I finally managed to find a flat with girls around my age in the Schöneberg area of Berlin (where I move in tomorrow!)

I think the best thing to do probably is to stay in a hostel for a few days and look around places, but that kind of uncertainty felt a bit much for me and I am glad to know that I’m going to Berlin with somewhere to stay.

I’m going to see what my flat is like when I get there and then do another post about accommodation – it’s a massive part of living in a new city and although I’m not even moved in yet I feel like I have learnt a lot already.

 

Right now I have my Berlin guidebooks packed in my backpack, one massive suitcase and a sleepless night ahead of me (due to excitement rather than nerves I think after writing this)! Since I first visited Berlin about 6 years ago I have not stopped talking about how it captured my imagination. I can’t wait to discover more of the city, not just as a tourist, but as a local too.