Before you apply
Before you submit an application for a position, it’s important that you clearly know where your strengths, weaknesses and interests lie. You should also be aware of your soft skills and where you have already demonstrated them. The position and the company should match you, your expectations and your abilities.
It would be an advantage to get to know us before you apply (for example by visiting our stand at an exhibition). This can make a potential interview easier and help you to get an idea of Merck as an employer.
The application
Once you’ve thought about your skills and expertise, it’s time to prepare an application that presents them clearly and convincingly. Your application is the first step you can take to convince a potential employer of your qualifications. That’s why you should give yourself enough time to prepare it carefully.
Your application should be complete and error-free. At the same time, it should be convincing and personal. It is especially important for you to target your application to Merck and the position you're applying for. We would like to find out exactly why you are applying at Merck and for the specific position.
The application documents consist of a cover letter, your C.V., certificates and letters of reference. Please be sure to note that we prefer online applications. Therefore, please do not send us a hardcopy of your application!
Cover letter
In general, the cover letter should fit on one page, and not simply reflect your C.V. You should state clearly and concisely why you are suited for the position and why you are interested in working for Merck.
Apart from the formal appearance (sender, address, place and date, subject line), it is advisable to have a springboard to start from, for example an exhibition or a job advertisement that you can refer to.
Curriculum vitae
When preparing a C.V., start with the most recent information and work back to the past. This makes it easier for the reader to follow and to quickly find the key points. Moreover, the C.V. should be kept as short as possible yet as detailed as necessary. In other words, integrate all the data of relevance to the position. Leave out things that are not relevant to the position, e.g. school internships or part-time jobs.
In addition, be sure to pay attention to the use of correct spelling and grammar. It could be useful here to ask a friend to help you to make sure that there are no mistakes in your application before you send it off.
Certificates
Organize your certificates in chronological order, analogous to your C.V. If you do attach many certificates, you can prepare a directory of the attachments to give the reader a better overview.
Please note the file uploading restrictions when applying online. It’s only possible to upload up to five individual attachments with a maximum volume of 1 MB. If you are in doubt, combine your certificates into one attachment.
Prior to the interview
You have successfully taken the first step by submitting a convincing application and have now been invited to an interview. You should be well-prepared for the interview, so be sure to practice, practice, practice! Think about your strengths and weaknesses once again and come up with ways to best communicate and demonstrate these. It’s also important to have understandable reasons why you are a good match for the position and for Merck.
It is customary for you to introduce yourself and to discuss your C.V. at the beginning of the interview For this purpose, you should prepare a brief personal introduction in German and English and be familiar with your application documents. You should also prepare some questions that you would like to ask during the interview. And last but not least, you should plan enough time to get to the interview so that you don't arrive stressed or even too late.
Interview
First impressions count! That certainly applies here. You should make sure you shake hands confidently, smile, and maintain eye contact with the person interviewing you. Remain authentic and honest and don’t pretend to be different from the way you really are. You should also make sure you are dressed appropriately and do not overuse perfume or make-up.
The interview normally begins with small talk, e.g. “Did you find the way here easily?” In most cases, the interviewer will start by asking you a general opening question about your C.V. Having already practiced at home, you should be well-prepared for this. Here it’s important that you don’t simply summarize your C.V., but now explain what has motivated you, clarify any unclear points and emphasize your personal highlights. Listen carefully and if you have any doubts, ask once again in order to understand the question.
Onboarding
Have you landed a job and now want to know what your first day at Merck will be like? A member of our HR Direct Support team will welcome you on your first day and provide you with introductory information. Afterwards, you will be escorted to your future place of work. You will be welcomed there by your mentor, who will support your orientation and beyond. In addition, an orientation event of several days’ duration will help you make initials contacts and build a network.
A site tour held once a month for new employees will help you to find your way around the large site premises. On the site tour, you will also learn a few things about Merck’s history and fields of activity.
We wish you every success with your application and look forward to meeting you!
