Between July 9 and 16, 2025, the EC²/BIG-NSE program offered a five-part workshop series titled "Find a Job in Germany’s Industry", aimed at current PhD students and recent graduates preparing for careers beyond academia.
The workshops were led by professional career coach Heidi Stoerr, who guided participants through essential steps for successfully entering the German job market.
Workshop 1 (3.5 h) – July 9
The first session encouraged participants to explore job opportunities they might not have previously considered. Heidi introduced key industry job profiles and explained how to identify potential career paths based on individual strengths.
Participants also:
Reflected on the competencies gained during their PhD
Received recommendations for helpful career guidebooks
Learned how to define personal criteria for employer selection
In the second half, the focus shifted to job search strategies. Participants received:
An overview of the most effective job search methods
Specific tips for active job search activities, including job databases and platforms
Advice on passive strategies to complement active searching
Workshop 2 (3 h) – July 10
The second session focused on preparing strong application documents. Topics included:
How companies screen and evaluate applications
Best practices for structuring and designing CVs and cover letters
Guidelines for submitting applications effectively
Practical tips for managing one’s own application process
Workshop 3 (3.5 h) – July 11
The first part of this workshop addressed how to read and interpret job ads:
Participants learned to distinguish between “must-have” and “nice-to-have” criteria
Common phrases in job postings and their implications were explained
A sample CV was evaluated for its match with a given job ad
The second part focused on salary expectations and negotiations:
A method for estimating appropriate salary levels was introduced
Participants practiced calculating a realistic salary using a case example
Research strategies for learning about company-specific salary structures were shared
Workshop 4 (4.5 h) – July 14
This workshop consisted of three sessions of 1.5 hours each. In small groups of four, participants shared and received feedback on a tailored CV they had prepared in advance. Each participant had previously spent around four hours selecting a suitable job advert and adapting their CV to match it.
Workshop 5 (3.5 h) – July 16
The final workshop began with an in-depth look at job interviews:
How to prepare effectively for interviews
Elements of a strong self-introduction
Overview of typical interview phases
Examples of insightful questions applicants can ask recruiters
Tips for navigating special interview situations, such as phone or online interviews
The session then moved on to handling interviewer questions:
Common personal questions and their underlying purpose were discussed
Participants explored possible answers in group exercises
The series concluded with a reflective wrap-up and final takeaways.
Feedback & Acknowledgements
Feedback on the workshop series was overwhelmingly positive. Several participants shared that they had learned a great deal and now feel significantly more confident about their job search—not only within German industry, but in general. Heidi provided practical, actionable advice that participants hope will soon lead them to exciting job opportunities.
A warm thank-you to her for her expertise and support!
Heidi Stoerr is a certified career counselor, trainer, and the founder of "Push Your Career," established in Dresden in 2011. Prior to this, she worked in several companies as an HR Officer, Recruiter, and eventually Head of Recruitment. You can find more about her on her LinkedIn profile.
Above: Photo of workshop participants. Photo credit: J.P. Lonjaret
The EC² program—and this workshop series—are made possible with support from the Einstein Stiftung Berlin.