Tips from the team
We’re a team – which is why we’re already supporting you on your journey to joining the team. We’ll tell you what to bear in mind when applying, what you absolutely must include, and how to make a good first impression. If you follow the guidelines, we look forward to meeting you in person soon.
A complete application comprises:
Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
The last 3 school reports (including the leaving certificate)
If available, please also include any other documents, such as proof of work experience, certificates, etc.
Your cover letter is our first opportunity to get to know you better, so we’re very keen to find out more about you and your personality. If you bear the following points in mind when writing it, your cover letter is sure to be a success.
Make sure that all contact details are correct – both your own and those of the company (name and address, as well as the name of the contact person).
Please state the apprenticeship role you are interested in in the subject line.
Start your cover letter with a brief introduction about yourself. Show us who you are and what makes you tick by telling us more about your strengths and interests.
We are, of course, also interested in your motivation – why you are applying to SWK and why you have chosen this particular apprenticeship.
A positive closing sentence, a closing salutation and your signature round off the cover letter.
You can use paragraphs to structure your cover letter, making it easier to read.
Check the application for spelling and grammar mistakes.
The cover letter should not be longer than one A4 page.
*You should check your inbox regularly, as this is how we will contact you. Sometimes emails end up in the spam folder, so it’s a good idea to check your spam folder for any messages as well.
Organise your CV in tabular form in reverse chronological order (starting with your current role).
Typical information:
Name and address, contact details (current telephone number and valid email address*), date and place of birth, a list of schools attended with dates and qualifications, any work experience or holiday jobs, hobbies and leisure activities, voluntary work, language skills, periods spent abroad, IT skills.
You’re also welcome to list any personal strengths you have – this gives us an insight into what makes you tick.
Make sure you allow enough time for your journey so that you arrive on time for your interview. If necessary, you can find out in advance about public transport links or parking facilities to avoid any last-minute stress.
Prepare in advance for any questions you might be asked and go through the answers in your head.
Find out about our company and current topics in advance (e.g. on our website or our social media channels).
Above all, we’d like to find out more about you – think of specific examples to describe your personality or skills. Present your interests and strengths honestly and avoid exaggeration – that way, you’ll come across as genuine.
You’ll no doubt have some questions for us too, which you can make a note of in advance.
Please do bring a pen and a notepad with you so that you can make a note of any important information during the meeting.
Also, make sure you’re dressed appropriately, speak clearly and loudly, and try to maintain eye contact during the conversation.
It’s normal to feel nervous! We’re nervous too, and we’ll do our best to make your appointment as comfortable as possible.
The most important thing: be yourself and don’t pretend to be someone else!
Your path to joining the team
Get an overview of how our application process works:
Your online application
Have you found the right apprenticeship? If so, apply directly via our online portal and submit your application documents easily via the relevant job advertisement on the careers portal.
Checking your documents
Once the application deadline has passed, we will review your application and then get back to you with an initial response. As we also need to consult with the trainers and the works council, this will take a little time.
Online test & interview
If your application has caught our attention, we look forward to getting to know you better. Once you have completed an online test as the first step, we will invite you to a one-to-one interview. This will give you the chance to meet the recruitment team in person.
Personal feedback & conclusion
After the interview, we’ll review all the results and get back to you as soon as possible. If you’ve impressed us, you’ll receive an attractive contract offer and we’ll invite you to sign the contract with us.
Your place in the team
Together with other trainees, you’ll kick off your career with plenty of enthusiasm and get to know SWK alongside them.
Help and Contact
FAQ – Answers to the most frequently asked questions
You will find the contact details of the relevant contact person in the relevant job advertisement.
Ideally, you should apply about a year before your desired start date. We publish our apprenticeship vacancies for the following year on our website as early as the summer months.
As you will be working in a number of different departments during your training, you will also be based at all our sites in Kaiserslautern.
You can easily submit your application online via the relevant job advertisement on our website. Clicking the ‘Apply Online’ button will take you straight to the application process for your chosen apprenticeship, where you can upload your documents quickly and conveniently.
Commercial roles: Alternating between one and two times a week.
Technical vocations: In blocks, i.e. one week at school, two weeks in the workplace.
Online application:
To ensure we can consider all applications, you will receive an initial response from us once the application deadline has passed.
After the interview:
If interviews are scheduled over a longer period, it may sometimes take a little longer for us to get back to you. In this case, we will let you know in advance, and you are welcome to contact us at any time to find out the current status of the recruitment process.
We publish all vacant positions on our careers portal. We therefore ask that you apply specifically for the relevant vacancy whilst it is still online. However, our full range of apprenticeship opportunities is available on our website at all times.
Essentially, we are keen to offer our trainees a start in the world of work with good prospects for the future. If you perform well and successfully complete your training, you’ll have a good chance of continuing your career with the SWK team.
The training is delivered under the dual system, which means that practical work at the company and theoretical lessons alternate. During your training, you will rotate through various departments within our company. In each department, you will have a designated contact person to support you. And to ensure you always know when you are scheduled to work where and when the next rotation is due, you will be given a rota. The rota is drawn up in accordance with the training framework plan.
Applications should generally be submitted digitally via the online portal. You can easily submit your application via the relevant job advertisement on the careers portal.
Yes, once you have successfully submitted your application via the online portal, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt by email. If you have not received a confirmation, please contact us by telephone.
Contact
Karim Meskine