Our Application Tips

What makes your documents stand out and how to prepare for your interview.

• Your CV

  • Layout and structure

    List your previous experiences in reverse chronological order. Briefly describe the tasks you took on and what you achieved. If you like, you can briefly explain longer breaks.

  • Relevance

    Focus on the experiences, skills and achievements that matter for the role. Remember: everything you write must be true. But not everything that is true needs to be included.
     

  • Wording

    Use action verbs. Instead of “Responsible for social media”, write something like “Created and managed social media content for three channels”. This makes your contribution clear.

  • Achievements

    Numbers make things tangible – quantify your achievements. For example: “Grew an Instagram account from 0 to 2,500 followers in four months.”

  • Photo

    A photo is optional. If you do include one, choose a picture that suits your professional image.

  • Using AI

    AI tools can help you improve your wording or check your application for spelling errors. Make sure that all information is correct and that the text still sounds authentic.

• Other Documents

  • Cover letter

    In most cases, you don’t need a cover letter. If the job posting asks for one, keep it short and specific. A personal introduction is more convincing than generic phrases.

  • Other documents

    The job posting tells you which documents are required. Certificates and work samples are worthwhile if they are relevant to the position.

  • File format and naming

    Be sure to send your documents as PDF files. Give your files clear names, such as “CV_FirstName_LastName”. This helps us assign everything quickly.

• Before an Interview

  • Preparation

    Research about the company you applied to. Bertelsmann brings together television, books, music, services and education, and each division has its own character. It’s also worth looking into recent developments on the company’s website or in the press.

  • Stable connection

    For online interviews: test your camera, microphone and connection beforehand and find a quiet place. Log in a few minutes early and familiarize yourself with the video platform being used. A neutral background or a camera effect adds a professional touch. If you’d like to show something, it’s best to clarify in advance how you can share it during the interview.

  • On-Site

    If you’re invited to an on-site interview, allow enough time for the journey so you arrive relaxed. Be on time, but not too early – a few minutes before the scheduled meeting is enough. A well-groomed appearance is appropriate, but nobody expects you to dress up as someone you’re not. Business casual is usually a good choice. Make sure your phone doesn’t cause any unwelcome interruptions during the interview. We would advice you to keep it muted or turned off for the duration of the interview.

• During the Interview

  • Stay calm

    Feeling nervous is completely normal, and it’s fine to say so if that helps you. Take your time with your answers, don’t speak too fast and take a breath now and then. If you’d like to come back to something later, take notes.

  • Case study

    Some case studies are sent to you in advance for preparation; others you’ll work on directly in the interview. In both cases, it’s not just about the result but above all about how you approach the problem. Explain your thinking, ask if anything is unclear and be open about the assumptions you’re making. If there’s a time frame, stick to it.

  • Your questions

    Ask about anything that matters to you. For example, what a typical working day looks like, how onboarding works, how you can develop within the role or what the next steps in the application process are. Asking questions shows that you're interested in the position.