How to join SWARCO
It requires a certain amount of preparation in order to join the SWARCO Group - and it’s totally worth it. Inform yourself about our hiring process here and be well informed which candidates we are looking for. We appreciate each application. Our recruiting principles are respect, appreciative and honest communication, quick feedback and to guarantee every candidate the best possible "applicant journey".
SWARCO'S HIRING PROCESS & RECRUITING PRINCIPLES
Application Process
Written Application
Compose & Submit your Documents
Interviews
Get ready for the first Meeting
Step 1: Written Application
Please upload all relevant documents in our recruiting portal and fill out the complete application form. If an e-mail address is stated in the job ad, please send your application documents to this address. Normally it is not necessary to bring your documents personally to our offices. Your documents can be processed faster, if we have them digitally in our online portal or via mail. Our aim is to reply to you within one week.
You can find further information concerning our data protection guidelines or the consent form for our Talent Pool here.
Cover Letter
You should know your core competencies and explain them to us. Give us on a maximum of one Din A4 page good reasons why you are the perfect fit for the job and why you would like to join SWARCO. Do not use a standard application letter and copy/paste random phrases. Take your time and think about it properly. Tell us in a few sentences why we should decide exactly for you.
CV
We read through loads of CVs per day, so point out your talents as precisely as possible. Your CV should be well-structured, up-to-date and highlight specific qualifications for the job you are applying for. If you just graduated or have limited work experience, make sure you include relevant projects or coursework from school to demonstrate your skills. Please check your application for spelling and grammar mistakes; maybe get a friend to help you with this.
Portfolio
If available, provide us with relevant work samples, such as your design portfolio, code, apps, content you created or projects you were involved. Certificates from your last employer or from the university if you are still a junior candidate are a must have.
Step 2: Interviews
If everything goes well, you will be invited for multiple interviews, meeting HR colleagues, team leads and, of course, the team members. Even if you live somewhere else, we will invite you to visit the future workplace to get a better feeling for your future colleagues, the office and the work place environment at a later stage of the application process.
During the first interview, we would like to find out about your skills, personal interests as well as your passion for SWARCO. We want to hear about your personal motivation rather than listen to standard interview answers that you’ve learned in application training courses. We guarantee that we won’t ask you to recite your three biggest strengths and weaknesses. Win us over by convincing us of your proactivity, team fit and your passion for delivering excellent work.
How should you prepare
We recommend to check out the SWARCO homepage prior to the interview and gather relevant information. This will not only help you during the interview but also to reflect on your company fit. In addition, ask yourself why you believe you are suitable for the job, why SWARCO would be the perfect employer for you and what you expect from us. Is there anything you would like to know about SWARCO, the position, the team or anything else? Write it down while preparing and ask us about it during your interview.
What should you wear?
We do not have a dress code but keep in mind that this is a business appointment.
How to prepare for a Virtual Interview
Depending on the company and the job you are applying for, the first interviews often take place online via Microsoft Teams. You can easily access the online interview with just one click via the link you’ve received in the invitation to the interview. In this case your web browser will open. Please note that the preferred browsers for a Microsoft Teams call are Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. Before the interview please test, if you can dial in. You can join, leave and re-join a team meeting at any time.
Also check the rest of your technology set up. Make sure that your webcam and microphone are enabled and working properly in your chosen browser. Test your internet connection to make sure if it is strong and working properly. If you are using headphones, make sure they are connected and selected beforehand.
In case of technical problems, you can dial into the meeting as plan B using the Microsoft Teams Meeting ID# via your telephone or mobile phone (toll-free).
The Challenge
To us, the most important thing is that you fit in with the company culture. However, you also need to show that you have skills in your field of interest. Depending on the company and the job you are applying for, you might have to do a case study in the last round of interviews. In order to assess your level of expertise, we have come up with some short assignments and challenges for the respective field you are applying for.
Usually, after the first interview, we will give you a few days’ time to work on a challenge or give you a challenge within the second interview round. Our hiring managers and their team members will then discuss your results in a technical interview. We love all challenges, don't we 😉 .
Keep in Mind!
Throughout the entire assessment process, we strive to assess basic knowledge, skills and learning or development potential. We do not expect you to know everything. If you are not making progress or have no experience in the field, we encourage you to ask clarifying questions that show your integrity, cooperation and ability to be resourceful.
Be Yourself
We value authenticity and (unique) perspectives
Convince Us
We are curious about what knowledge you already have. On top we are interested in how you think. Explain to us the reasons for your decisions, e.g. for a certain course of study or your motivation for a job change. If you are asked to solve a problem, explain your assumptions, explain your approach and explain your decisions.
Get to the Point
Tip: use the STAR(R) method / technique:
Situation What was the situation?
Task What was your task?
Action What exactly did you do?
Result What was your result?
Reflection What have you learned from the situation?
Follow-up & Next Steps
It doesn’t matter where you live. Before joining SWARCO, we would like to meet you in person. Before the final offer, we will invite you on site (in case you have not been there already) in order to meet with your future team lead and team members. So you can get a better feeling of our office and the colleagues working there, especially if you would be re-locating for the new SWARCO job opportunity.
If you have completed the final round, our goal is to inform you as quickly as possible whether you will be hired. You will then receive your contract.
The candiate journey of our applicants
"I received the Recruiting Package from you today and would like to thank you very much. It is so nice thoughtful of you. I think it is also a sign that SWARCO is a very special company. I would be very happy to stay in touch with you. Thank you very much again and I wish you and I wish you and the entire SWARCO Group all the best."
Applicant, SWARCO Group Controlling
"Yesterday I terminated my employment after 31 years and 3 months. Thank you very much for drawing my attention to the position. I will start to work at SWARCO in a month's time :) ... I am already looking forward to it."
Applicant and now a very valuable employee of the SWARCO Group in the RMS Division
"I very much regret your rejection. Nevertheless, I would like to thank the team lead and also you for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself to you personally. I felt very valued during both interviews rounds. I would be very pleased if you would include me in your talent pool. Perhaps an interesting opportunity will arise within SWARCO in the future.
I also wish you all the best for the future and I remain with kind regards."
Applicant, SWARCO Group Procurement
"Thank you for your e-mail! I wanted to state again that my impression of SWARCO - especially through our conversation - is a very positive one. I also wanted to get in touch with you, as I also received and accepted another job offer a few days ago. All the best and maybe we will hear from each other again one day. It is not a matter of course that a company always responds to questions as quickly as you did."
Applicant, Product Area
"I would also like to thank you for your pleasant conversation. I perceived the team lead, you and SWARCO in a very positive way, for which I thank you. I wish you every success in the further process and wish you a nice weekend. You are welcome to file my documents and I would be happy to hear from you at a later date. All the best to you as well."
Applicant, Service Technician
"Too bad ... but of course I understand you decision. In that case, all the best for choosing the most suitable person for the advertised position! Thank you
PS: Thank you in any case also for replying again. This is not self-evident!"
Applicant, Road Construction / Civil Engineering
"Thank you very much for your personal feedback. Of cours it is a pity that I've received a rejection, but i understand the decision. Nevertheless, perhaps there will be another opportunity for cooperation in the future. I would of course be happy to hear from you again at any time. Thank you very much!
PS: Thank you for your appreciative tone. You are the first company to get back to me after more than 20 applications. Apparently, a response is not important to other companies. With this in mind, thank you again for taking the time to give me honest feedback - within a week after my application. "
Applicant, Laboratory
"Thank you for the message, even if the content is not pleasant. It's a pity that I couldn't introduce myself in person. I wish you every success with your choice and would like to briefly note that this is probably the nicest rejection text I have ever read. Kind regards and stay well."
Applicant, Head of Marketing SWARCO Group
