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Information on the Application Process
Different countries have different ways of doing things - this also applies to applications for stays abroad. For applications within Europe, you should submit a résumé written in the local language. In order to save time and money, make a phone call to find out whether there are any traineeship positions currently available and ask for a contact person to whom you can send your application. In some countries, it is "good manners" to establish contact in advance by telephone. Do not send "form letters", but explain in your cover letter your motivation for applying to the company in question. If possible, you should write your application in the local language.
The International Office has guides for various target countries which you can borrow on how to make applications. These include sample résumés and help with formulating your application correctly.
The following table shows which application documents should be submitted in which country:
Europe:
| Country | Cover Letter | Résumé | Photo | Certificates/References | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Belgium | Yes | Yes | Upon request | Upon request | Documents are usually not returned |
| Czechia | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Denmark | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Documents are ususally not returned |
| Estonia | Yes | Yes | Upon request | No | |
| Finland | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request | Documents are usually not returned |
| France | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Greece | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Certificate of good conduct/Health certificate |
| Great Britain | Yes | Yes | Upon request | Upon request | Documents are usually not returned |
| Hungary | Yes | Yes | Upon request | Upon request | |
| Ireland | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request | Documents are usually not returned |
| Italy | Yes | Yes | No | No | Documents are usually not returned |
| Latvia | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Lithuania | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Luxembourg | Yes | Yes | Upon request | No | |
| Netherlands | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Norway | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request | |
| Poland | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Portugal | Yes | Yes | Upon request | Upon request | |
| Slovakia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Spain | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request | |
| Sweden | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request |
Overseas:
| Country | Cover Letter | Résumé | Photo | Certificate/References | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | Yes | Upon request | No | |
| Canada | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request | |
| China | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Japan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Imperative to establish personal contact |
| New Zealand | Yes | Yes | No | Upon request | |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Quality Check:
An overview of the quality criteria of a traineeship can be found in the "Traineeship Quality Check" (PDF, 455 kB) handbook.
Traineeship Contract
If you have found a traineeship, you should make sure you sign a traineeship contract. Information that must be included in a traineeship contract is the place of work, duration of the traineeship, working hours, responsibilities, duties and conditions.
At the end of your traineeship, you should ask for a certificate and/or a personal statement/assessment from your supervisor.
