During the Covid-19 epidemic, more companies in Germany are including video job interviews as part of their hiring process. Live or pre-recorded video interviews are easier and less expensive for both the hiring manager and the candidate, with the opportunity to review your answers and not just rely on notes taken during an in-person interview. “The good and bad of a crisis...

​With the festive period truly over, January is a difficult month for many supply chain professionals. This is particularly true on the dreaded Blue Monday. The weather in most parts of Germany ranges from grey and wet to freezing and the daylight hours are still at an annual minimum. So if you are feeling particularly down today, you are not alone.The Story Behind Blue Mond...

​Did you know that 34% of the “100 Best Workplaces in Europe” offer paid sabbaticals, according to the Great Places to Work Institute? With this number ever increasing, there's no better time to bring up the conversation with your employer. Asking for a career break is rarely easy, but a sabbatical offers more than a chance for you to recharge. Time away can be a vital oppor...

​If you are consistently exceeding your current performance targets and not seeing recognition or discussing opportunities about how this could move you ahead, you may have a boss who is not invested in your career development.  No matter how talented and ambitious you are, if you do not have support or guidance from your boss, your career roadmap may seem like a dead end.  ...

​When hunting for a new role in the German procurement and supply chain sector, there is a lot of value in contacting a specialist recruiter within your niche. Recruiters know what jobs are out there, have already built relationships with employers and devote a lot of time to making sure those jobs are filled with skilled and fitting candidates.   Not only do recruiters hold...

​According to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, which ranks countries on elements of supply chain performance, Germany is the highest performing country for logistics. This will be due to its skilled and high skilled workforce.  This is reflected through generous salaries. The average salary for a Supply Chain Manager in Germany is €65,000, according to payscale....

​A 2016 Gallup study found that 9 billion euro is lost annually in the German economy due to decreased productivity, as a result of burnout. Now classed as a recognisable illness by the World Health Organization, burnout is an occupational phenomenon which impacts both on workers as individuals and the morale and productivity of a workforce.  Chronic stress and burnout happe...

​If interviews with two or three stakeholders aren’t nerve-wracking enough, many job seekers in the German procurement and supply chain sector now face the challenge of the all-day interview. These involve spending the day at the company meeting a range of stakeholders who will question you on different aspects of your suitability for the role.  These interviews are great fo...

​A toxic colleague can chip away at your confidence and ability through behaviours such as constant undermining, negativity and bullying. If you’re not careful, this individual can have an impact on your entire work experience, and even actively damage your career in the German procurement and supply chain sector.  It is vital to not suffer in silence if you are starting to ...

​Receiving a job offer for a role within the German procurement and supply chain sector is certainly cause for celebration, but there may be aspects of the offer which are holding you back from saying ‘yes’ straight away.  It is worth taking your time to consider which elements of a job make you happy, and whether this offer and working for this business will lead to job sat...

​When leaving a job you’ve grown to hate, you may be tempted to air your grievances when handing in your notice. You may even want to quit on the day you get your new job offer, leaving drama and scrabbling co-workers in your wake.  Both during the resignation process and after you leave, it is best not to speak negatively about your employers, your manager or your colleague...

​If you approach your first day in your new role in the German procurement and supply chain sector with confidence and positivity, introducing yourself and shaking the hand of all of your new colleagues, your attitude will affect those around you. You will be seen as a ‘breath of fresh air’ who can reinvigorate your team members.   It is vital to make the best first impressi...

​Is there a good way to quit a job? It’s very rare that the news is going to be received with a smile, particularly within the German procurement and supply chain sector, where skilled and valuable workers are in high demand.  When resigning your role, it is important to leave with as much tact and professionalism as possible. There are plenty of ways you can quit your job a...

​“We’ll match what they’re offering.” It’s a moment that can catch you off guard. You’ve done the difficult bit, after all. You’ve survived marathon interview rounds, had your experience and expertise challenged, and come out on top – success, you’ve been offered the job! The only thing left to do was to rip off the band-aid and hand in your resignation. Unfortunately, your ...

​Here’s your dilemma: a recruiter or hiring manager has come across your CV. They found you on LinkedIn and approaches you with an interview opportunity that you haven’t sought out. The problem is that the role doesn’t seem, well, perfect. It’s not exactly what you want, and you didn’t even apply for it. So what do you do? Do you go for the interview or not? Randy Chan, Head...

​​Upon reaching Senior Executive level, the number of opportunities available for career development begins to decrease, while the competition increases. As you reach the competitive leadership positions, it’s vital to differentiate yourself from the other candidates in the market.In many circumstances, working with a specialist recruiter will help give you an edge when it c...

​Although the traditional career pathway often leads directly to a full-time permanent role, there are other modes of work that might better suit certain styles of working and circumstances. Temporary and contractor roles are common, especially in industries such as business change and transformation, and have their own unique benefits and drawbacks.If you’re considering swi...