You may have heard this before: ‘find something you really enjoy doing, a job you like’. But that’s easier said than done, because … what do you really like?  Over the years I’ve coached many people in all phases of their career and what seems to help in getting a good picture of the types of jobs you like, is collecting all jobs that appeal. 

The challenge for a CV or resume is to get the balance right: do not oversell (forget talking about yourself in the 3rd person singular or adding skills that sound magnificent but for which you have no proof) but do not undersell either (as the reader needs to understand what you bring to a job and your CV should provide the evidence). Of course, you do not make a mistake in such

an important document, but still … have someone check it for you, use a spellings checker, and proofread yourself the next day before sending it off. Typos are a definite no-no in a CV.  Moreover, knowing your audience is key! A resume for the US does not contain a picture, your nationality, or your age, whereas a CV in Germany has no gaps and needs to be 

Forget about sending 40 similar applications in a week – that’s 40 times wasted energy. An application or cover letter requires research and abundant attention.  It’s the CV that causes the first attraction factor, but the letter does the trick. And if it needs to do the trick, make sure that you get the salutation right (preferably with the name – 

and correct gender! – of the person you are addressing). I can tell by experience, that when addressed by the wrong name, or being called Mr, and when the address features the wrong company name, it needs a lot to convince me to even read the application.  The same goes for the ending of the letter, if you are applying for a 12-week internship do 

It sounds too good to be true: you’re going up in a high rise building and you’re in the elevator with the hiring manager of the company you’ve always wanted to work for, and the person asks you about your future plans … and yes, it’s probably never going to happen, but just in case.  Because the whole idea of that pitch is that you can explain 

who you are and what you aim for in just 60 seconds, whenever you must, and to whoever you meet. The trick? Think about your pitch, make a mental note of some essential keywords, and next ‘go with the flow’. Because every situation requires a slightly different pitch. Plus, the last thing you want is to sound as if you rehearsed your pitch in front of a mirror. Even if you did!

What to wear to an interview is a question that I’ve been asked so many times and most often the person asking felt a little awkward as if talking about appearances is somehow not entirely OK.  We all know, you cannot judge a book by its cover, but in the hiring process, it does play a role (even if the interview happens online). Make sure 

you’ve checked for the country, company, and sector, so you know what’s common. Also pay attention to footwear, make-up, jewelry, and the (amount of) fragrance you wear.  When in doubt, go for the more conservative choice. However, if you love a bright pink jacket, whereas your prospective colleagues all seem to wear dark suits, just go for it. 

The job interview is the cherry on the cake. Treat it like that. You’ve made it to this stage and that’s great, but beware, it’s not a guarantee you have got the job already.  Again, preparation is key. What’s the organization about, what are the requirements for the role, how can you demonstrate you’ll fit the job? The interview is a pivotal

moment in your career journey, but do not freak out when something does not go entirely as planned or when you get a question, and your answer is not 100% pitch-perfect.  Remember the most important element of career success: there needs to be a click between you, the role, and the organization. Without that connection, it’s not going to