Insights into training – An interview with training manager Max

Hello, I'm Max, I'm the training manager at the BAUR Group. I've been with the company since 1999 and have been responsible for training and dual study programs ever since, which is a job that I've always enjoyed very much.

There is no "typical" procedure, as the application process can vary slightly depending on the apprenticeship or dual study program. However, the basic procedure is as follows: Applications are sent to us either via our email inbox or directly via our job pages, although we prefer applications via our job pages. If an application catches our eye, we invite the applicant to an interview. This usually takes place online, but can also be conducted on site. If the interview goes well and it's a good fit for both sides, there's usually another appointment on site. This gives applicants the opportunity to see the training environment, get a first impression of the team, and maybe even meet future colleagues. This allows them to get an even better idea of what their training or dual study program with us might look like. If everything fits well in the end, we look forward to welcoming our new trainees and dual students on September 1.

There are basically three major topics that come up in almost every job interview. The first is about the applicant themselves—you should, of course, be able to talk about yourself at length. Secondly, you should be well informed about the company and also about the apprenticeship or dual study program you are interested in and have applied for. This will benefit you, because if you are well prepared and know a lot, you will automatically get deeper into the conversation because you have more to talk about.

What I personally dislike is when applicants try to shift the blame onto someone else for issues that may not come across so positively in their documents—such as poor grades or a comment from a teacher. Instead, you should talk openly about such issues. No one is perfect, and things don't always run smoothly for everyone. Everyone has their good and not-so-good sides—and you can talk about that honestly.
So just be authentic and honest, and the interview will go well.

There is a lot to prepare. Of course, there is a lot of administrative work to be done in the background, such as creating files, registering with the vocational school, and setting up the IT equipment—that's one thing. On the other hand, we also have to prepare for the integration of the trainees. We coordinate with the departments to ensure that their assignments are planned accordingly. It would be going too far to go into detail here, but it definitely takes up a lot of time.
Ultimately, it is important to us that the trainees and dual students get off to a good start with us.

There is definitely something special about September 1. That's the day when the new trainees and dual students finally start. When you've put so much preparation into this one day, it's just wonderful when everyone is there on the first day. For those of us in training and dual study programs, September 1 is almost like Christmas. While Santa Claus usually comes at Christmas, for us it's when the new trainees and dual students start—and that makes us all happy.

We try to start with welcome and integration days right from the outset. The aim is to get to know each other first—the trainees among themselves, but also their colleagues and the various departments of the BAUR Group. This helps us to build familiarity and give a feeling of security. This usually works very well, and the departments also look forward to welcoming the new trainees and dual students when they arrive. I think the trainees and dual students sense this too – that they are being warmly welcomed here. And then everything becomes much easier.

I believe that we have a particularly good situation at BAUR across all professions. Our colleagues in the training departments are completely open to our trainees. They are allowed to ask anything and get involved in a wide variety of topics. Of course, you have to take on a certain amount of responsibility yourself, but you can learn an incredible amount – whether it's by attending meetings with managers or looking over the shoulders of your colleagues. This is also reflected in the results: in recent years, we have repeatedly produced the best trainees in Germany and Bavaria – in a wide variety of training occupations. Whether photographers, e-commerce specialists, media designers, or marketing communication specialists—I really have to praise my colleagues in the training departments. They put in a lot of effort and enable the trainees to learn an incredible amount.

Today, I would probably be a little more confident in asking questions than I was during my training back then. I really enjoyed my training, but I was very, very shy and might have been interested in one or two other tasks—I just didn't dare to ask.
Another issue is the report booklet: I would make sure to always keep it up to date. I had to rewrite my report booklet shortly before the final exam, which was quite unpleasant. So my advice is: always make sure that your report booklet is up to date.