“You can learn the job, but you have to be enthusiastic”

“I want to reorient myself professionally. Today I’m here to gather information,” says Sarah from Steyr. The 22-year-old is a trained hairdresser, but is considering quitting her job and catching up on her high school diploma. It is still unclear to her which industry she will end up in. At the career forum in Linz today, Tuesday, she will get a good overview of her career opportunities. Numerous local companies are here to answer questions from several hundred students, career starters and career changers. In addition to discussions, contact details are also exchanged with the future employees.

“The companies are looking forward to seeing you,” said Patric Stadlbauer from the auditor KPMG to the visitors at the opening. It is important to “actively approach the companies and ask lots of questions.” Georg Spiegelfeld emphasized that the fair was an opportunity “to collect knowledge for future life”. “Everyone can take something with them here today,” says the curator of Wifi Upper Austria.

So that it suits both

At the Career Forum, which was organized by the OÖ Nachrichten and the Salzburger Nachrichten, the exhibitors had numerous offers for the visitors. At the Linz plant manufacturer Primetals, for example, there was a wheel of fortune with prizes to be won. What is important to shine at a job interview? “You can learn the trade, but you have to be enthusiastic about it yourself,” says Katharina Steiner, Marketing Specialist at Primetals. Authenticity is also important “so that it ultimately suits both companies and employees”.

At the AMS stand, visitors could have their application documents checked. According to Monika Beer, a common mistake in application letters is that they are too general. “As an applicant, I should always ask myself what makes the company special and what my strengths as an applicant are.”