One of them was Marco Indek. At the time, he was about complete a degree as Embedded Systems Engineering Master and was looking for a fitting, challenging job. That is exactly what he found on our Career Day.
New career - Start - Go!
„Volkswagen Infotainment‘s Career Day was my way into working life!“, Marco pointed out enthusiastically when asked how he remembers the digital day. “Signing up was very easy. You could just apply for the Career Day. It was paired with specific job offers that I looked into in great detail and cross-referenced with my own interests and skills. I was drawn to Team Software Development pretty quickly and I applied with my CV and a short introductory letter.”
When asked how he experienced our digital day, Marco reminisces joyfully about the interactive format: ‘I got in touch with all invited candidates to the Career Day on the Gather.Town-platform. We were greeted in a virtual lobby by Volkswagen Infotainment’s managing directors, Bernhard and Tobias, who presented the company and themselves and immediately used ‘Du’. That really opened doors.
We were greeted in a virtual lobby by Volkswagen Infotainment’s managing directors, Bernhard and Tobias, who presented the company and themselves and immediately used ‘Du’. That really opened doors.
Different experts, 1 mission
When talking to Marco about this event, you can really feel his enthusiasm. ‘The Career Day was completely interactive. That really was a highlight for me! From prior digital application events, I had some idea what I could expect. Yet, Volkswagen Infotainment set entirely new standards. Walking through a virtual office space as digital avatars really impressed me. Really cool, just like in a computer game. I even received a package of goodies a few days before. Even though the event was purely virtual in nature, you had a tangible souvenir at the end of the day. A really nice gesture!
Behind every door on our digital fairgrounds there were teams of experts that participants could simply talk to or chat with and who would answer any questions visitors might have. There was a possibility to discuss in a larger circle or in a one-on-one setting, if desired via videocall. ‘I had some very interesting discussion and talked to potential colleagues. That was something else. In what kind of job interview does that ever happen? It really felt like a first getting-to-know-you’, Marco explains. He adds: ‘There was no fear of the unknown. Very informal and all of it digital.’
Apart from several possibilities to have direct conversation, the applicants could tune in to specific, thematically relevant presentations and Tech Talks, providing a very interesting insight into the various areas of work. ‘There was a very international atmosphere. English was the spoken language, including the presentation’, Marco elaborates, ‘as our employees are very international. English is the lingua franca in the programmer community.’
And then for something serious. No – a pleasant get-to-know-you!
His own job interview for the position he had applied to was conducted in German, as Marco’s potential team lead and future boss and all other participants speak German: ‘Any interviews were planned individually and integrated into the Career Day. We met up in a virtual office but we could see each other over videocall.’ For Marco, it was a very agreeable way to get to know VWIF, with a low threshold. ‘Similar to real life. The digital nature of the event didn’t change that one bit. It was all very professional and was a lot of fun. You could really notice what technology is capable of when such conversations can be conducted as good as in real life. Exactly the right cup tea for us as developers!’
The interview took about half an hour and was primarily to gauge whether Marco and his colleagues had the right kind of chemistry. They talked about the job’s requirements and about Marco’s skills and interests. ‘We immediately got off on the right foot. We used ‘Du’ in our conversation, which is not to be taken for granted. It reflects the company’s culture quite well, though.’
Excellently prepared
Marco rates our Career Day A+: ‘I was very surprised to see such an incredibly detailed and professional planning. There was something new to discover behind every door. The platform also had some small, hidden highlights, such as online games or a digital bar. Sitting at home in your sofa was still a way to discover so much in this digital career world. I really hadn’t expected that and I am thrilled. In my experience, I can confidently say that the Career Day is tailored to the job vacancies at Volkswagen Infotainment. This event is a great opportunity to get to know our company and especially the people behind it’, Marco goes on to say and includes a recommendation for all who are interested in this year’s career day. One bit of advice for proper preparations: ‚Of course, it pays off to be prepared. That’s part of the deal. I can warmly recommend getting to know the company in advance. Learn all you can about the Volkswagen Group, CARIAD and how Volkswagen Infotainment is connected. I was very lucky to have a good friend who works here. He was available for any questions I had. But that doesn’t have to be a problem for those without a direct personal connection. The Career Day solves that beautifully. That is precisely the idea. If you get up to speed on the background and the position’s requirements, do the math and know a thing or two about the relevant topics, you’re good to go for the day.
Career Day completed. Now what?
A few days later, Marco was invited to a follow-up meeting and the regular application process began. And: The positive impression persisted, the chemistry was still there. ‘The interview process after the Career Day was somewhat more intense, obviously, as you would typically have. But because I had made some strong connections during the Career Day itself, the stress soon subsided.’
After finishing his Master’s thesis in the winter of 2021, Marco has been a member of the team since the beginning of this year. ‘At the start of the new year, my work in Team Software kicked off, especially in the area of Autosar Classic Diagnostic. We develop software for Volkswagen’s vehicles. I had a very good onboarding, many trainings, great colleagues and I really appreciate the international setting. It’s quite a lot of fun, just like the first day. And I am more than happy!’ So are we: Great to have you on board, Marco!
Want to join us?
Do you want to relive the flair of last year’s Career Day? You can do so here. You want to participate this year and score a job at Volkswagen Infotainment? Take your chance! You can find all information here. We are looking forward to your application.
About Marco
Marco studied electronics and IT (B.A.) and embedded systems Engineering (M.A.). After his studies, he had the opportunity to gather important experience as a works student. Since the beginning of 2022, he has been working for Volkswagen Infotainment in Team Software, Autosar Classic Diagnostic.