Frequently Asked Questions

Internships

Does ThyssenKrupp offer internships?
The individual subsidiaries of the ThyssenKrupp Group offer internships. However, they all run their own programs and there is no central placement scheme. This means that the conditions vary from subsidiary to subsidiary.

What requirements do I need to meet to obtain an internship?
You should have good grades at school-leaving / university level and be highly motivated. In addition you may have to meet other requirements depending on the subsidiary.

Will I be paid during my internship?
This depends on the subsidiary employing you and also on whether the internship is obligatory or voluntary. Generally you will be paid between 0.00 and € 750.00 per month of employment.

Are there any openings for internships abroad at ThyssenKrupp?
Generally the same applies here as for internships in Germany. However, it is much more difficult to find internships at our foreign subsidiaries.

What requirements do I need to meet to obtain a foreign internship?
You need a good command of the language of your host country. You may be required to pay your own traveling and accommodation expenses and to work without pay. Depending on the country in question, there may be other requirements (e.g. residence and work permits) which you should clarify with the foreign subsidiary.

How can I apply for an internship?
We do not have a central placement program for internships (in Germany or abroad). Please apply directly to the ThyssenKrupp subsidiary of your choice. You will find the main addresses and contacts at Jobs.

top

Student employment

Can I work at ThyssenKrupp during vacations as a student worker?
If your main concern is not learning but earning a little to boost your meager student income, you can work at many of the Group’s subsidiaries. But please remember that this work will not count toward your studies in the same way as an internment.

What kind of pay can I expect as a student worker?
You will generally be paid more than an intern because the emphasis is not on learning. Your actual pay will depend on your previous work experience and also on the pay scale/branch of industry of the subsidiary in question. You should clarify this directly with our subsidiaries.

Where do I apply?
Because of the large number of inquiries we receive, we cannot provide a central placement service for student workers (Germany or elsewhere). Please apply directly to the ThyssenKrupp subsidiary of your choice. You will find the main addresses and contacts at Jobs.

top

Dissertations

Does ThyssenKrupp provide help with dissertations?
ThyssenKrupp subsidiaries do provide support with dissertations. But here, again, we cannot provide a central placement service.

Does ThyssenKrupp have a dissertations index?
As the ThyssenKrupp Group comprises over 800 companies, it would be impossible to maintain an up-to-date dissertations index.

What requirements do I have to meet to obtain help with my dissertation?
You should have completed your studies quickly and gained good grades. Also, your dissertation should focus on one of the specialist subjects you have studied. Other requirements depend on the subsidiary involved and the chosen subject.

Will I be paid by ThyssenKrupp while working on my dissertation?
Pay depends on the scope of support and the importance of the subject to the subsidiary in question. You should clarify the question of pay directly with the subsidiary once you have agreed on a subject.

Can I write my dissertation abroad?
In theory, yes. But this can be difficult to organize, especially when you need to consult the professor or assistant supervising your dissertation.

How do I apply for support with a dissertation?
Because of the large number of inquiries we receive, we cannot provide a central placement service. Please apply directly to the ThyssenKrupp subsidiaries of your choice. You will find the main addresses and contacts at Jobs.

top

Graduate careers

Does ThyssenKrupp run a graduate trainee program?
Yes - there is a trainee program designed for graduate entrants. The subsidiaries of the ThyssenKrupp Group also run their own graduate trainee programs, though these focus more strongly on training for a specific position generally agreed in advance. What we do not offer is a program offering "a bit of everything" where you have a good look round but don't gain any real insights. Your time is too valuable for that.

What is a graduate trainee program at ThyssenKrupp like?
Before you start a graduate trainee program we will usually define a concrete target position for you after you complete the program. This department/operation then becomes the main base of your trainee program. In addition, you will usually have two or three other bases in related areas. For example, if your target position were in sales, it would make sense for you to see something of design and production. We deliberately concentrate on just a few essential areas to give you as deep an insight as possible.

ThyssenKrupp does not have a standard trainee program. Our subsidiaries work with you to put together a program so that they can take your ideas into consideration as well as the requirements of the target position.

Are trainee programs better than direct entrance?
No, they are just another way in. Which path is better and which you choose depends on a number of factors. Firstly there is the question of whether the subsidiary you wish to join actually runs a trainee program. Then your own work experience has to be taken into consideration. There is also the question of whether the company can "do without you" for 50 to 75% of the trainee period, because this is the time you will spend getting to know related areas.

Whether you join us through a trainee program or as a direct entrant has no influence on your subsequent career prospects.

How long does a trainee program last?
Generally the trainee program lasts around 12 months. However, since these programs are designed to meet individual needs, the time may vary according to our requirements and your plans and experience. Sometimes programs have even been cut short - by mutual agreement - because unexpected career opportunities have opened up.

Can I go abroad during the trainee program?
Most trainee programs now include a period abroad. This can be from two weeks to several months, depending on interest and requirements.

Will I be offered a permanent post after the trainee program?
We aim to provide trainees with permanent employment after the trainee program. We also find that only very few trainees look for work outside the Group or cannot be offered permanent employment in the Group after the program.

What does "direct entrant" mean?
As a direct entrant you are immediately given a permanent employment contract, albeit with the usual probation period. You work in a responsible position from the outset. Unlike trainees, you will not spend time in other departments to gain an insight into related fields of work. Nevertheless, we try to expand your horizon through experience transfer, seminars and in your daily work.

What requirements must I meet to start a career with ThyssenKrupp?
We look for people with character. If you also have good qualifications and show motivation and commitment, you meet the main requirements. Successful candidates will also need the specialist knowledge required for the particular position. Making a good personal impression is also important.

How much do graduate trainees earn at ThyssenKrupp?
It's impossible to give a general answer because our subsidiaries are each responsible for their own training programs and they all belong to different industries with different pay scales. But generally the pay scales at ThyssenKrupp subsidiaries are comparable to those at other companies and groups.

Are there fixed deadlines for entrance?
The ThyssenKrupp Group always recruits according to requirements. There are therefore no fixed deadlines for entrance and no fixed application deadlines.

What are ThyssenKrupp's recruitment requirements in the near future?
The subsidiaries of the ThyssenKrupp Group recruit around 300 young graduates to their trainee and familiarization programs each year. Of these around 75% are engineering graduates and 20% economics graduates.

What are my career prospects at ThyssenKrupp after completing the trainee program?
Everyone has the chance to go "right to the top". Of course, this depends on your own ability and maybe a certain amount of luck. Your development is in your own hands. At ThyssenKrupp, as in other areas of life, you cannot make anyone else or any organization responsible for your progress. However, we do use personnel development tools such as seminars, conferences, job rotation, job swapping among subsidiaries and successor planning to create the conditions to help you get on.

top

Applicants with work experience

Does ThyssenKrupp recruit applicants with work experience?
Generally we aim to appoint internal staff to management positions wherever possible. In this way we can offer our employees career opportunities. However, sometimes employees with work experience do join our Group. We recommend you to take a look at our job market from time to time: Jobs.

Can I make a speculative application?
Candidates with work experience are welcome to send us speculative applications. These should be addressed to the Central Application Service of ThyssenKrupp AG.

top

Miscellaneous

Does ThyssenKrupp offer support for post-graduate students?
There is no Groupwide program providing support for post-graduate students. However, there are numerous examples of junior executives who were given the chance by their subsidiary to study for a doctor’s degree in parallel with work in the early stages of their career. However, this is organized on a case-to-case basis.

Is it possible to switch jobs within the ThyssenKrupp Group?
We have an intranet-based internal job market in which several hundred vacancies within the Group are advertised each day. You can contact other subsidiaries to discuss career opportunities or apply for one of the jobs advertised.

Can I move to a foreign subsidiary after completing the trainee program?
Yes, you can move to a foreign subsidiary. Often you will be approached with offers if you have made a good impression and shown that you are interested in such a career move.

How do I apply to ThyssenKrupp?
You can apply directly to one of the subsidiaries. If you are interested in more than one subsidiary or are not yet sure of your choice, you can apply through the Central Application Service of ThyssenKrupp AG who will examine your application and forward it to subsidiaries with corresponding vacancies.

Do you accept online applications?
Generally we prefer an original application with covering letter, résumé, photograph and certificates/references. If you are applying in response to a specific advertisement and the subsidiary in question invites online applications then you should comply. However, we would advise against sending speculative applications by e-mail.