Jobs, Labour, and the Meaning of Life
Getting a Job
"The person who gets hired is not necessarily the one who can do the job the best, but simply, is the one who best knows how to get hired."
I found these true words in a german book on how to get a job in the english-spoken part of this world: the authors themselves found it on a australian career web site. You are looking for a job? You are tired of your old one? Try the links at the right side; most of them are for german web surfers, but some of them might be of interest for you if you're living outside of Germany.
To find a new job can be hard work. Maybe they say, you're too old. Or you studied too long or the wrong stuff. Maybe you've been fired and you must find a new job immediately. Don't panic: help is available. There are at least three things that must be done, and you should concentrate on each before continuing with the next:
- Learn the job market: What kind of job are you looking for? What is the situation in that job market? What is your dream job? Collect possible employers.
- Prepare your application form. Collect your CV data, your references. Make a contact.
- Get prepared for the interview. This is your hour to show them that you're the right man / woman!
Some questions you might want to ask during your interview
It's not only about being asked by the representatives of the company you want to work for but also about the questions you want to ask them. Following questinos have been proven useful:
Questions about your workplace
- What does happen during your settling-in period?
Are there any special trainings or introductions? How much time will be spent for that? - How many members does your work group have?
Are you working alone or within a team? Or both? Are you in a specialist or in a generalist position ? - Who's got authority? Who will be your boss? Who's responsible for things? What will be your responsibilities ?
- How much time will you need (and get) for relevant parts of your work?
Is your work focusing on one big task or is it separated in many little different tasks? - What kind is your position within the company's hierarchy?
- What's the professional background of your colleagues and superiors?
Are you the only one of your profession and educational background? What does that mean to your work? - What are the chances for your further development?
- What about business trips?
What effect will lots of them have on your private life, on your relationship with a possible partner, on your career chances within the company ? - What about further trainigs?
- Is the company interested in the professional development of its employees?
- Is there an old age pension / insurance / liability?
- Are there alternatives to risky stock options?
- How much working hours / week?
- How long is your annual holiday?
Company
- Are there any dependencies from other companies?
What does happen if they fail? What effects will that have for your company? - How strong are dependencies on the stock market, on investor relations?
- What about turnover: how many people leave the company during a year?
When will *you* leave? - What kind of leadership style is practiced in the company?