Alumni FAQs

If a job offer is in German, they probably require you to know at least B2 in German and it is better to then also apply in German. Your language skills should be very clear on your CV. You could also contact a recruiter directly with this question to get in touch with the company.

Speaking is actually much more important than being able to write in German. Just be honest about your skills in the interview but with speaking at C1 level, you should have no problems.

It all depends on our inner strength, don’t let German language requirements scare you away. Clearly mention your skills in the application and be transparent about it, people don’t expect you to have perfect German skills. Especially in Berlin there are many jobs where you only speak English and there are always colleagues and Google to help you. However, German is important, since you are in Germany and it is definitely a useful skill. Knowing German increases your job opportunities, helps you to create meaningful connections and allows you to participate in important discussions.

The beginning is hard but it only takes one good opportunity to start your career in tech. Once you can get your foot in the door and have a permanent position with a company, recruiters will likely reach out to you with various job offers.

Maybe 20-30 applications, other candidates sent out close to 180 applications, just never lose hope, start early enough and what is meant for you will find you. Expect that you will not get responses from all your applications. Overall, it is not so much about the number of applications but about their quality. Make some really good and meaningful applications, instead of sending out generic applications to as many companies as possible.

You should start early, maybe the halftime of the course would be a good starting point. Start once your CV is finalized and definitely before the final project.

A clean application means you only put relevant information on your CV and cover letter which relates directly to the job offer.

Include relevant experience for the job and show that you know what you are talking about. Relate your skills and experience directly to the job offer to show you are right for the job.

Companies usually have a job section on their website which is very helpful. Otherwise there are many good job platforms out there like LinkedIn and Xing, and DCI also provides useful links to job offers.

You don’t have to fill in all the boxes of a job description. If you are very good at some of the skills required, go for it and give it a try, you can always learn when you are on the job as well.

Rely on DCI as a resource, they have a lot of relevant information when it comes to applications. If you get the chance, do an internship because it’s a great way to learn and experience the business world but there is no harm in going for a full time position right away.

That depends on the situation. Interviews are often held at the office so you will get to see the space anyway. You can also use Meetup.com or Linkedin to connect with people in interesting companies and ask them for a coffee chat in the company. Unless you have a personal connection or an invitation for an interview, I would say it is inappropriate to just show up.

It is really helpful to have projects and a portfolio and to use as many technologies as you know to really show your skills and to have something to talk about during interviews.

If they don’t reach out to you it either means the company is really busy and didn’t get around to it yet or you didn’t get the job. If it is a company you really like, you can wait about a week and then send an email and check up on the application process.

Don’t take rejections personally and for every rejection you get, send out another application to another company. Make sure to reply to the rejection emails, who knows what conversations might come from it.

What you can ask for depends on your geographical position (in some regions salaries are higher than in others), previous skills and how much the company wants you. Don’t stress about asking for a certain salary too much because for you it might feel like a big deal but recruiters ask this question all the time. If you feel like you can deliver, you shouldn’t be too shy to ask for the salary you want. Asking for a salary that is higher than their expectation will not disqualify you for the job. However, often companies have a set salary they will offer you. Generally it is somewhere between 30-50k so asking for 40k is probably a good option.

It’s normal to be scared and it’s fine because you will never feel ready! If you don’t even try then the answer is of course no. Maybe just create a one-page CV with 1-2 really good projects and coding examples that make you stand out, recruiters want to know why you are qualified for a position and if you can’t show that with past experience, show it with work examples. Also start with an internship instead of a permanent position to gain even more experience.

If you feel overqualified, maybe apply for a higher position. There is a high demand for leadership positions in tech. If you have a really impressive CV but want to start at a Junior level you can always shorten your CV and not include all previous work experience. But don’t hide your qualifications, bringing different perspectives to the table is very valuable for companies.

Working in teams is very useful. Also just being present in class and really participating. Put in the extra hours, ask a lot of questions and use the expertise from the teachers. Work on projects outside of class to practice.

That depends on the companies. As a beginner you are firstly trained on working in a professional environment, after that you can request different types of training but you need to be able to justify why you need it.

It is normal to make mistakes so don’t worry too much. It is important to own your mistakes and stand up for them. Ask for help to do it right the next time.

Home office is usually not a problem, however some companies require a certain amount of days in the office. Communication is key when you work remotely, especially at the start it is very beneficial to go to the office. You are usually provided with basic equipment for home office like a Laptop and Headset.

If I didn’t find a job then probably yes because it is a great way to learn but if you can get a paid position, I would definitely switch to that job.