Dos & Don'ts of a successful Application – Interview with Paulina, Senior Recruiter

Is a cover letter still necessary these days, and what really matters in an application? Paulina has been with the ProSiebenSat.1 Group's recruiting team for about five years and therefore knows exactly what makes a successful application. In this interview, she shares her top tips and insights from her daily work.

Dear Paulina, which areas are you responsible for as a recruiter?

I currently oversee part of the Corporate Functions, including Legal, M&A, Finance, and Accounting & Taxes. I am also resposible for the recruiting for SevenVentures, the P7S1 Group's investment arm, and for the TV editorial teams with well-known formats such as :newstime, taff and Galileo. It's an exciting mix of strategic-analytical and creative, media-related roles.

That sounds like a large area of responsibility with many employees and positions. How many applications do you receive per position?

That varies greatly and depends on the specificity of the position and its attractiveness in the job market. Some positions receive only 10 applications, others up to 400. Last quarter, for example, we had several positions advertised and received a total of around 10,000 applications in three months.

With such high competition, what must an application have to immediately catch your eye?

An application stands out to me especially when it shows clarity and focus. I pay attention to whether candidates make their application intention clear: Why does this position suit them, and why are they the right choice for this position? These key statements should be clearly structured and easy to understand.

It's important to highlight relevant experience and skills that show that the person has considered the role and understands what's important. At the same time, I'm interested in what motivates the person and what strengths they want to bring to the table. An application should not only provide facts but also convey a first impression of the person's personality and attitude.

Portrait von Frau mit langen glatten braunen Haaren, die in die Kamera lächelt und einer Headline "Do's and Dont's of a successful application"

As a recruiter, what do you particularly value in a resume?

Since a cover letter is not mandatory for us, the resume should be all the more informative. A clear structure and brief descriptions of the individual stations are essential to make the professional career comprehensible. Feel free to mention special successes or completed projects that you are proud of - they show your commitment.

Depending on the role, the resume can be designed more creatively or classically simple. I can quickly tell from the type of CV design whether candidates understand the role, because ideally this understanding of the role is reflected in the application. A personal touch is nice, but it should be authentic. Instead of clichés in the hobbies section like "cooking" or "traveling," mention details that give a first glimpse into your personality and at the same time make your application unique.

Is a cover letter still needed these days?

A cover letter is no longer mandatory for applications at P7S1. Of course, it can be useful to add a cover letter if you want to explain certain aspects of your career or convey additional information that is not apparent from the resume.

It is important that a cover letter remains short and concise. It should be a supplement to the resume, not a repetition. Authenticity is crucial here – convince us with your personality instead of with standardized phrases.

And what should you avoid as much as possible?

I always had a bad feeling when I screened a resume and saw that it was a mass application. Unfortunately, you often see that the application was not addressed to us, but (also) to another company. That leaves a negative impression, of course.

Which applications have particularly stuck in your memory and why?

Some applications were so creative that they really stuck with me. For example, there were applicants who not only submitted a classic resume but also a creative video. In one case, a person interviewed themselves in a studio setting – with a successful mix of humor and expertise.

For editorial or creative positions, this can be a great approach because it shows that the person is really thinking about how to stand out.

Such applications are not appropriate in every context, but they definitely remain in the memory.

Thank you Paulina for the exciting insights!