Large numbers of visitors attended Career Day in Cologne in November with the aim of forging contacts and familiarizing themselves with attractive employers. BIRKENSTOCK took part for the first time this year and spoke to those who showed an interest about their career opportunities at its nearby sites. The company offers all sorts of jobs and development opportunities in the region.
As is the case in many companies, looking for junior employees, skilled workers, and executives has become an increasingly important topic for those responsible for HR at BIRKENSTOCK, too. In addition to using BIRKENSTOCK’s own online job page and the usual employment websites, for a little over two years now, potential applicants have also been able to engage with the company directly at one of the 25 top job fairs held throughout Germany.
Career Day in Cologne was held for the seventh time this year: the RheinEnergieSTADION served as the perfect platform for 90 regional companies and cooperative partners to showcase themselves to, get to know, and talk with businesses and potential recruits. The event is the perfect place for job seekers, those looking to change jobs or return to work, school leavers, and higher education graduates to form a realistic picture of a company and the career opportunities it offers.
For Susanne Söhngen, Head of HR Development at BIRKENSTOCK, fairs of this kind are crucial for the recruitment process: “We have advertised a very large number of jobs for all sorts of different entry levels and departments, so personal presence within the region is very important to us. And if we then impress people with our appealing manner at a fair, we are all the more likely to be seen as an attractive employer within the region. Our team consists of members of staff from a variety of departments, meaning they can answer any of the job seekers’ questions regarding apprenticeships, dual studies, and permanent employment with BIRKENSTOCK. This is particularly important at a career fair like this because these fairs are attended by a highly diverse target group that encompasses all age groups.”
Career Day in Cologne also featured an extensive supporting program including 16 interesting and helpful specialist presentations, an application photo shoot, and a major job application check. Susanne Söhngen was one of those to share her expertise with the visitors, giving a presentation on the topic of résumés from the HR manager’s perspective.
Jil Klesper already considers BIRKENSTOCK to be an attractive employer. The student is currently on a dual studies course in the area of industry management and is excited about the opportunities that the company can offer her: “I applied to BIRKENSTOCK because I am familiar with their shoes, of course, and because I was interested in the company. There was a very pleasant atmosphere during my first interview, which impressed me all the more. I have been working in the Purchasing department since September, which I am really enjoying so far. I will then move to a different department in the next semester. So you get to know all sides of the company.”
Career Day in Cologne is especially important because not only is the company’s headquarters located in the nearby Westerwald region – BIRKENSTOCK now also has a number of teams from Sales, Marketing, and Product Development working in Cologne city center. BIRKENSTOCK has representation at a total of twelve sites throughout Germany in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Bavaria, and Saxony, and offers all sorts of career entry opportunities in a wide variety of work areas within these regions.
