Five questions for Eda Örs

Why did you choose Deutsche Börse Group for your traineeship/apprenticeship?

I joined Deutsche Börse Group as their first EQ trainee in November 2011. The EQ, or entry qualification, is a longer job experience programme for school pupils and is designed to encourage entry to a vocational training programme. In September 2012, I then started my traineeship as a 'clerk for office communication'. In the January before I went through the assessment centre and had selection meetings with the trainers.

What was your first day like?

My first day started with an introduction to the department. I was introduced to the team and my first tasks, I was shown my desk, introduced to systems and processes and my questions were answered.

Please describe a typical day in your current training department.

I support the recruitment team with all administrative activities. One of my responsibilities is to create the initial entries for incoming applications in our electronic recruiting tool. I send confirmations of receipt, forward documents to the recruiters responsible, request any missing documents and send rejections. I have also already provided support for preparing an assessment centre for trainees.

Do you have helpful tips for successfully applying to Deutsche Börse Group?

Every application should, of course, include a cover letter and CV. A lot of value is attached to school reports particularly in the subjects of mathematics, German and English. As a result, applicants should make sure they don't have any unexcused absences.

How do you think traineeship applicants can best prepare for the assessment centre?

You should always find out about the company ahead of time, for example, find out how many employees Deutsche Börse Group has, what precisely the Deutsche Börse Group does, who the Chief Executive Officer is, and so on. You should be confident but not overconfident.

Four questions for André Schwarz

Why did you choose Deutsche Börse Group for your traineeship/apprenticeship?

The stock exchange has a major influence on our daily lives, but in my opinion, we don't know enough about how it works. That's why I see my traineeship at Deutsche Börse Group as a chance to look behind the scenes at one of the largest international stock exchange organisations in the world and gain an insight into the complexity and variety of its business.
It was also important to me to be part of an innovative and international company.
If I decide to go to university after my traineeship, there are often opportunities to keep working as a student assistant at the company and use the skills you've learnt.

What was your first day at Deutsche Börse like and how did you feel?

My first day at work started with breakfast and a tour of the trading floor at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange – the beginning of a two-week induction period. Of course I was very nervous, but that didn't last long because the atmosphere with the trainers and other trainees was very friendly and relaxed from the very start.
I was also warmly welcomed by the whole team on my first day in my first training department “Member/Vendor Services & Admission Trading”; they explained the systems and different jobs to me very clearly. I soon had my own small “projects”.

Please describe a typical working day in your current department.

I have been assisting in the HR department to the best of my ability for about a week now. So far I have mostly been recording applications, sending letters and confirmations of receipt to the applicants and taking telephone calls. I will be learning some new tasks in the next few days and will then assume responsibility for them.

How are the study blocks at vocational school spent and how would you describe the learning environment there?

I like the combination of blocks in the training departments here and at college; we can concentrate fully on either work or study and don't have to plan our vacations during the school breaks. The college lecturers teach the study blocks clea

Six questions for Ingmar Müller

Why did you choose Deutsche Börse Group for your traineeship/apprenticeship?

I must admit that I wasn't a “typical” applicant. I had started another apprenticeship previously, but wasn't happy with it at all. So I dropped out of the course and got my qualification for entrance to universities of applied science instead, in business and administration. My subsequent degree course required me to do a year's internship in an administrative job. During this year I realised that I enjoy administrative and organisational work very much. So I decided then to do a apprenticeship in an office.
An acquaintance who is also a apprentice here suggested Deutsche Börse to me. So I found out as much as I could about the company and made the decision to do my apprenticeship at Deutsche Börse. In addition to the company's good reputation, its employee benefits and social commitment were also key criteria for me.

What was your first day like and how did you feel?

Of course I was very nervous on my first day, but that didn't last long. The new apprentices had breakfast with the trainers and were able to get to know them better. We then had a tour of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, were shown a general presentation on the company and had the opportunity to ask questions.
The first “real” working day in the first training department is very interesting with a lot of new impressions to motivate you. First you meet your new colleagues, then you have induction. After a certain amount of induction, everyone is allocated their own tasks. A great deal of trust is generally placed in apprentices at Deutsche Börse Group, and the work is varied and very interesting.

Please describe a typical day in your current training department.

I am currently completing part of my training in “Accounting Banks”. This unit is part of Accounting. My daily tasks include reconciling various accounts, printing out swifts, offsetting incoming and outgoing payments in the relevant account (e.g. accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger) and assigning documents.

How are the study blocks at vocational school spent and how would you describe the learning environment there?

The study blocks provide the perfect contrast between work and college. So we can concentrate on exams, papers and presentations during the college periods, and fully on work during our time at the company.

What tips can you share about successfully applying for a traineeship at Deutsche Börse Group?

It goes without saying that every good application needs a cover letter and a CV. It's also a good idea to include internship and other references, if you have them. And a brief statement about why you want to do an apprenticeship as an office manager and why at Deutsche Börse Group in particular can only make a positive impression.

How do you think applicants can best prepare for the assessment centre and job interview?

Apart from the basic academic skills in German, English and mathematics, it's a good idea to do some research into Deutsche Börse Group. Where are Deutsche Börse AG's locations, who is the CEO, does it have subsidiaries, etc. Applicants take part in a series of group exercises at the assessment centre, such as a group discussion. Being yourself is the best policy. Pushing yourself to the front is just as bad as hanging back. Just be yourself!
When you have passed the assessment centre test, you will be invited for an interview where the trainers can get to know you better. This is when you have the chance to let your personality and interest shine.

Six questions for Viona Ratz

Why did you choose Deutsche Börse Group for a traineeship/apprenticeship?

I chose Deutsche Börse for my traineeship because I wanted to work in a leading international company after I left school.

What was your first day at Deutsche Börse like and how did you feel?

I was very nervous before I started, but my colleagues in the Capital Markets Academy unit were very friendly and welcomed me into the team right away. Then I had a talk with my unit head, who explained what my responsibilities would be. That way I was gradually introduced to the department's work, rather than being “thrown in at the deep end”.

Please describe a typical working day in your current department.

I have a lot of client contact in my current department, both by phone and by e-mail, in German and English. I also assist my colleagues with their tasks and projects – mostly independently.

How are the study blocks at vocational school spent and how would you describe the learning environment there?

I find the study blocks beneficial and the lecturers good. The study block model means we have a regular change between study and work, or theory and practice.

What tips can you share about successfully applying for a traineeship at Deutsche Börse Group?

You should have decent grades in the main subjects and structure your application with a personal touch. If you have references from any internships or extracurricular activities, you should include those.

How do you think applicants can best prepare for the assessment centre and job interview?

You should have researched the company well, be familiar with its basic structure and,very importantly, show your personality, be yourself.