Application tips

You should answer the following questions in your covering letter:

• Why are you applying for the position advertised?
• Why do you particularly want to work for Haniel?
• Which requirements of the position advertised are you able to meet?
• Which additional qualifications can you offer?
Make clear the extent to which your profile matches the position advertised. Point out areas where your previous experience overlaps with the future tasks entailed by the position advertised. Make sure that nothing you say contradicts the information contained in your CV. In order to check your argumentation, ask a friend, acquaintance or relative to read through your covering letter. If this person has difficulties understanding then you should revise the applicable parts of the text.

Express yourself briefly and succinctly so that your covering letter fits onto one A4 page. Apart from this the main thing is to describe rather than assess. Avoid personal evaluations such as “I was extremely successful as…” by using neutral expressions such as “My remit included…”. Make a self-confident impression. Phrases such as “I am certain that...” are clearly to be preferred to those such as “I think that…”

Finish off by proof-reading your covering letter – backwards so that you do not oversee any spelling mistakes.

The graphic layout is basically up to you. However, we recommend a design that is as clear and discreet as possible. Make sure you use the same font as for your CV. The font size should not be smaller than 10 points. Whether you opt for a left-justified text or full justification is up to you.

We will agree a fixed time with you. A telephone interview normally lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. It is conducted by a member of staff from the Corporate Human Resources department or a representative of the department for which the position is advertised. We will talk in German. If knowledge of foreign languages is required for the position advertised then you should expect us to switch languages during the telephone call.

Make sure you have your covering letter, CV and diary at hand for the telephone interview. In addition, you should find out a bit about Haniel and its divisions in advance.

Above all: choose somewhere quiet where you are not distracted. Adopt an erect posture as this will add expression to your voice. Ensure that you speak at an agreeable volume and moderate speed. Your answers should not sound like a monologue learnt off by heart but provide scope for spontaneous further questioning. Approach us in an open and honest manner – and we’ll do the same. At the end you are welcome to ask questions about how the application process will continue.

No face-to-face interview proceeds in the same way as another. However, you can expect us to raise the following issues:

• Your expertise and qualifications with regard to the position advertised
• The professional positions you have held so far including the tasks performed and experience gained – i.e. your career history
• Your motivation to join Haniel by taking on the position advertised
• Specialist areas and tasks that meet your interests and desires
• Your desires and opportunities concerning the starting date
• Questions you have for us
• Your personal interests and commitments

Make sure when describing your professional and personal experience that you adopt a succinct and coherent narrative form: an ideal instrument for this is the STAR method comprising the following narrative model:

1. S = Situation: Describe a situation in your life.
2. T = Target: What target(s) did you draw up for this situation?
3. A = Action: What action did you carry out in order to achieve your target(s)?
4. R = Result: What results did you arrive at?

Not only will you introduce yourself personally to us but we will also introduce ourselves to you. At the end of the day it is a discussion we are inviting you to – not a one-sided interview. We therefore consider it our duty to provide you with an understanding of Haniel, the division and the position for which you have applied.

What topics will be raised?

No face-to-face interview proceeds in the same way as another. However, you can expect us to raise the following issues:

• Your expertise and qualifications with regard to the position advertised
• The professional positions you have held so far including the tasks performed and experience gained – i.e. your career history
• Your motivation to join Haniel by taking on the position advertised
• Specialist areas and tasks that meet your interests and desires
• Your desires and opportunities concerning the starting date
• Questions you have for us
• Your personal interests and commitments

Make sure when describing your professional and personal experience that you adopt a succinct and coherent narrative form: an ideal instrument for this is the STAR method comprising the following narrative model:

1. S = Situation: Describe a situation in your life.
2. T = Target: What target(s) did you draw up for this situation?
3. A = Action: What action did you carry out in order to achieve your target(s)?
4. R = Result: What results did you arrive at?

Not only will you introduce yourself personally to us but we will also introduce ourselves to you. At the end of the day it is a discussion we are inviting you to – not a one-sided interview. We therefore consider it our duty to provide you with an understanding of Haniel, the division and the position for which you have applied.

A face-to-face interview normally lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. You will conduct it with one or two representatives of the department for which the position is advertised. A member of the Corporate Human Resources department may also be present.