The art of self-marketing
Finding the right apprenticeship is a new experience for young people. They have to look for a job on their own, contact companies, write applications, make an effort and convince others. Although they are supported by teachers, career centres and parents, the pressure is great. Self-marketing can help: It is important to be credible. Applicants need to know their strengths and show them. For example, a teenager can use true stories to present their strengths without coming across as boastful. Young people should take enough time for their applications. Ideally, they should schedule fixed times for this, around three to four hours per week.
Who am I?
It is helpful to answer the following questions in order to work out which talents you have: Which subjects do I find easy at school? What can I do better than others? What am I praised for, what am I criticised for? How does my teacher judge me? What successes and achievements can I look back on - even outside of school? For example, in sport, music, scouts, the school parliament or as a conflict mediator? In addition: Do I regularly look after my siblings or do I look after my grandparents? Strengths are also revealed in places that young people are not even aware of.
Online is king
More and more companies are favouring the electronic route - as parents, assume that our children will one day only apply digitally. When applying by email or via online tools, it is important to send the files as pdfs and to include the name in the file name. Certificates can also be scanned using a free app such as «Genius Scan» for Android and iOS. This allows documents to be photographed one after the other, cropped, edited and summarised in one document.
It is advisable to create an electronic dossier with grades, project work, photos and extracurricular work in all possible formats: Videos, PDFs, photo albums, audio files. It is important that the dossier is stored securely in an online storage facility. This e-portfolio will accompany our children not only when they are looking for an apprenticeship, but throughout their entire professional career.
Young people should invest time in sharpening their profile.
Anyone who shows proximity to their specialism in their application stands out. For example, a budding computer scientist can create an online application with their own website or a budding carpenter can make parts of their application out of wood. This does not mean that every application has to be unusual. However, young people should invest time in honing their profile. This will first and foremost convince them - they will gain self-confidence, appear more confident and thus increase their chances.
One click
Yousty.ch claims to be the largest online apprenticeship portal in Switzerland. It offers valuable help on how to apply. SRF.ch/myschool offers cinematic insights into professions under the heading «Berufswelt».
berufsberatung.ch provides information on all professions and lists the programmes offered by each canton.
Strong media
On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media in everyday family life. swisscom.ch/medienstark