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I have never been a fan of David Bowie in his lifetime. But I noticed Bowie back in the 1980s when one of my schoolmates wore a denim jacket with his name on it every day.

However, I only consciously listened to his music when Bowie died eight years ago, on January 10, 2016, shortly after his 69th birthday. I still remember “Spiegel Online” publishing a list of Bowie’s songs we should have listened to. Since then, I haven’t listened to any music as frequently as Bowie’s. Today I am a fan of his timeless music.

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Most applicants talk more about their past and speak too late about their future job. I experience this time and again in corresponding career coaching sessions – including the Career Days in Düsseldorf and Bonn in September: the trade fair where applicants look for interesting jobs and network with employers in the region. My talks on presenting in job interviews create an “aha” moment for the audience.

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“Would you like to visit Cameroon?” As Oliver asks me the question, I am surprised. Instinctively, I reply “Yes!” From a purely rational point of view, I am not so sure yet. There are so many things standing against traveling to Cameroon right now. But my endless curiosity and the geographer in me instantly know I want to do this!
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The path from being shy to presenting yourself with self-confidence is not an easy one, but a particularly rewarding one. In an interview with Tobi Krick, speaker on the subject of self-confidence, I share how I have developed from a shy student back then to a very self-confident personality nowadays (in German).

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Confidence. I am confident about myself – or differently: I am aware of who I am, what I think, feel and do. This is my initial definition of self-confidence. Based on my personal background, I trust myself and my abilities, such as presenting a great speech in front of a group of people, no matter […]

Meet the other side at eye level right from the start! Some candidates still go to job interviews as supplicants. They are afraid that they will not be able to convince the potential employer of their merits. They would do much better with a positive, self-confident attitude.

In most interviews, the opening remarks are followed by the request “Tell us something about yourself”. Then the employer may ask numerous questions before you can start asking your own questions. This kind of interview is therefore very hierarchical. It is based on the assumption that the employer alone decides how to proceed. Other than that, I recommend preparing yourself accordingly for an interview at eye level: Think about a set of questions and about the dramaturgy of the interview: At which points can you direct the conversation yourself?

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The invitation “Tell something about yourself” is one of the classic openings in a job interview. For you, this is about sharing a few highlights from your career. Instead of telling any arbitrary experiences, you share exactly those that illustrate your professional successes and directly relate them to your future job. In addition, you will share one or two aspects that distinguish you and tell something about you as a personality. Read more

Whether at conferences, job interviews or even more so at networking events: When you want to talk to people you do not know yet, small talk can break the ice. The art of small talk is to find and share common interests. So it is better you don’t go like a bull at a gate.

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