We are happy to announce our next GAUSS Career Service workshop “Career Development Strategies: From Deciding What’s Next to Getting Hired” by Dr. Alexander Britz.

Are you currently working as Postdoc or finalizing your PhD? Do you plan to transition to your next position in or outside of academia, but feel unprepared for the job hunt? In this highly interactive workshop, you will get a comprehensive set of career development strategies which will help you master this process. You will learn to decide what your next career step should be and how to be effective in the application process including compiling a convincing application.

Dates: Monday and Tuesday, 1-2 December 2025
Duration: 1,5 days, Monday: 9-17h, Tuesday: 9-13h
Location: in-person on North campus
Trainer: Dr. Alexander Britz

Registration: Please register here and send an email to career@gauss.uni-goettingen.de including a short statement on your motivation to attend the workshop.

Workshop description:

In this workshop, you will design a holistic career plan and craft a compelling job application. The aim is to facilitate your transition from PhD or postdoc to a senior scientist position or your dream job outside academia.

The workshop begins with a guided introspection, where you assess your personal values, interests, and learning objectives. You will also identify your unique strengths, skills, and personality traits. Using this information, you will set short-term and long-term career goals, which are then implemented into a comprehensive career development plan.

We will discuss efficient job-search strategies and practice self-presentation, networking, pitching, and storytelling techniques specific to career advancement. As a group, we will gather and discuss possible career paths in academia and profit-oriented organizations or industry. You will learn how generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity can be used as powerful career coaches. You will apply the newly acquired skills to create a convincing cover letter and CV that align with your career aspirations.

We will work on the following specific topics and learning objectives:                                     

• Self-Assessment: You will identify your strengths, values, interests, skills, and personality traits.
• Career Planning: You will learn how to set achievable short- and long-term goals and integrate them in a career development plan.
• Job Searching Skills: You will master effective job search strategies, including networking and self-presentation.
• Career Paths: You will determine suitable career trajectories both inside academia and in industry.
• Self-Presentation Skills: You will train storytelling to present yourself in your application documents as well as during networking events.
• Generative AI as a Career Coach: You will leverage generative AI for career coaching, from exploring possible career options to creating application documents.
• CV and Cover Letter: You will learn about the essence of a great CV and cover letter and discuss other requirements. Further, you will benefit from peer and trainer feedback to enhance your application documents.

Testimonials by former participants:

“Alex is a knowledgeable, motivating, skilled coach. The exercises were extremely helpful. I
feel much better prepared for hiring processes in the future.”

“I got all the answers to my questions regarding job search. Now I feel more confident. I
acquired a system of practical exercises to help me and peers whom I can ask for advice or
opinion.”

“It’s a really great workshop that helped me figure out what I exactly need to do to start
looking for and applying for jobs.”