How did you get to ERICH JAEGER?
I graduated from a business school in Giessen. I already knew I wanted to go in the commercial direction. The job advertisement for the apprenticeship as an industrial clerk was advertised in the newspaper, and I applied for it in 2006.
How did your training go?
The curriculum determines that you go through many different departments, because as an industrial clerk you can be employed anywhere. And the training was just as diverse. I was in Human Resources, Quality Management, Order Management, Purchasing and IT. In Supply Chain Management, I even spent three weeks in the Czech Republic helping a colleague set up a new production line. That wasn't necessarily part of the curriculum, but everyone who did the training with me actually spent time abroad somewhere. If you wanted to, there were always opportunities to visit the other plants as an apprentice.
What helped you find your way around during your on-boarding process?
At the beginning, we were shown around the whole company to get to know all the departments. I did this together with another apprentice from my school year. Because there were quite a lot of trainees in the company, we were never alone and our colleagues showed and explained us a lot.
How were you supported by ERICH JAEGER during stressful phases of your apprenticeship?
We could always write the report booklet, which you had to write for school, at work. In every department there was someone who offered support to go through the school material together and to practice. There were also always trainings with the commercial director on various topics that were also asked for in the framework curriculum.
How did the takeover come about?
At the time, it was planned that apprentices would be taken on for a limited period of one year after they had completed their training. We still go by this today. The reason for this is that it allows apprentices to gain professional experience after completing their training. I would always suggest this takeover. It makes sense not only for the company, but also for the candidates, in order to increase their own chances on the job market.
In which department were you hired after your training?
I went straight to the HR department and I'm still there today. Relatively quickly after my training, after three weeks, I was on my own due to unforeseen personnel developments. It was a jump in at the deep end, but it worked out well.
What convinces you most about HR work?
From payroll- and time-management to recruiting and employee motivation, there's everything in terms of HR tasks. Since we're a relatively small company, that makes it very diverse.
As a recruiter, how do you look back on your time as an apprentice?
Even then, the training was very well organized. You didn't just do the standard copying jobs - our tasks really made sense and we got a lot out of them.
Which advice do you give to apprentices and applicants in general?
At ERICH JAEGER, everyone is pretty relaxed. You don't have to be afraid to ask your questions. We have the advantage that many of our locations are spread all over the world. If the apprentice is interested, there will certainly be an opportunity to visit one or the other location for a few weeks. People often worry about school grades, too. There are students who don’t do that well at school but are all the better at practical work. Therefore: just try it!
What soft skills do you look for most as a recruiter?
Open-mindedness is important. There have been some apprentices who were very shy at the beginning, but who have become more confident over time. This shows that the training also helps apprentices in their personal development. Otherwise, show initiative and ask questions. Be prepared to help out in other departments, even if they are not part of the curriculum.