Career Coaching in Germany
One-on-one coaching sessions to sharpen your CV, cover letter, or interview skills for the German job market. Every session includes a personalized workbook I prepare before we meet, honest feedback from someone who’s done the hiring, and a plan you can reuse for every application after this one.
Applying to German companies and hearing nothing back?
There are plenty of reasons this happens, and honestly, we could talk about it over coffee (or beers!) for a really long time. Most of it comes down to one thing: people don’t know how to present themselves in their job applications. Sometimes it’s because English is a second language. More often, people downplay their skills, experience, and education without even realizing it.
I can help you create a job application that gets you noticed by German employers.
In a coaching session, we’ll work on how to showcase your skills, experience, and strengths for the exact roles you’re applying to. I’ve reviewed hundreds of applications as a hiring manager, so I know what German employers respond to, and I’ll spot the things you haven’t thought to put on your CV that genuinely matter. By the end of our session, you’ll have a draft CV or cover letter you can use for every future application, plus you’ll know how to customize it yourself for each role.
Why Work With Me
I’m Cheryl, a Canadian who’s been living in Berlin since 2011, and I’ve done the hardest parts of this myself, twice. I’ve worked as both a freelancer and a permanent employee for some of Berlin’s best-known tech companies, and I found new jobs during both the pandemic and the 2023 tech layoffs, exactly when everyone said nobody was hiring.
I’ve also spent years as a hiring manager, reviewing hundreds of real applications and sitting on the side of the table most job seekers never get to see. I know what German employers actually look for, because I’ve been the one doing the looking. And here’s the thing that experience taught me: people almost never match the person on their CV, because they’re usually way more amazing. My job is to help you bring out your best self in your applications and interviews, so the person on paper finally matches the person who shows up.
My Services
Cover Letter Coaching – €80
Your cover letter is the story your CV can’t tell. I’ll help you write one that German employers actually read, instead of one that sounds like everyone else’s.
By the end of our 50-minute session, you’ll have:
⭐ A personalized workbook with detailed feedback on your current cover letter, prepared before we ever meet
⭐ Our call to review the workbook together and apply my proven method, so you can rewrite it yourself
⭐ A complimentary review from me once you’ve drafted your new cover letter
⭐ Follow-up questions and advice welcome anytime
CV Coaching – €100
Your CV gets a recruiter’s attention for seconds. I’ll show you how to make them count, using everything I’ve learned reviewing hundreds of applications from the hiring side.
By the end of our 50 min session, you’ll have:
⭐ A personalized workbook with detailed, section-by-section feedback on your current CV, prepared before we ever meet
⭐ Our call to work through the feedback together and reposition your CV for the roles you actually want
⭐ A complimentary review from me once you’ve drafted your new CV
⭐ Follow-up questions and advice welcome anytime
Interview Coaching – €150
Interviews are where nerves undo good preparation. This package walks you through mine, from written practice to a full mock interview, so you walk into the real thing knowing what’s coming and exactly how you’ll answer.
How it works:
1) After booking, you’ll fill in a short intake form about your background, the role, and what worries you most.
2) We meet for a short call to set the scope and agenda together.
3) I send you a personalized set of interview questions based on your actual role. You send back your answers in writing.
4) I review your answers and return detailed feedback, including stronger ways to frame and structure them.
5) We meet for a mock interview, practice your answers live, and work through techniques to keep nerves under control on the day.
By the end, you’ll have:
⭐ A personalized question set built for your role and level, not generic internet questions
⭐ Written feedback on your answers before we ever practice live
⭐ A full mock interview with observations and suggestions in the moment
⭐ Practical techniques for managing interview nerves
⭐ Follow-up questions and advice welcome anytime
How Coaching Sessions Work
CV & Cover Letter Coaching
The process is pretty straight-forward:
1) Book your session and complete payment. You’ll receive a link to choose a date and time.
2) Send me your CV or cover letter at least one week before we meet, ideally the same day you book. Let me know what types of roles you’re applying for, and if possible, include links to relevant job postings.
3) Before our call, I prepare your personalized coaching workbook: a deep dive into your document with extensive feedback, design and content suggestions, points for us to discuss, and things for you to explore.
4) We meet for 50 minutes and work through the workbook together. As we go, you’ll learn how to structure a CV or cover letter yourself, step by step, so you can do this on your own for every future application.
5) After the session, revise your document and send it back to me within 30 days for a complimentary review. The workbook is yours to keep, and you’re welcome to come back with follow-up questions anytime.
Interview Coaching
The interview package follows its own five-step process, from intake form to mock interview, which you’ll find in the package description above.
Some Practical Notes
⭐ Please arrive on time, at your computer, in a quiet and distraction-free environment, so we can make the most of our 50 minutes together.
⭐ I run The Berlin Life alongside a full-time job, so there’s a minimum turnaround of one week for all services. This is what guarantees every client a properly prepared workbook rather than a rushed one. Booking an interview package? Allow at least two weeks before your interview date.
Testimonials
Cheryl played a crucial role in refining and enhancing my CV. While my resume was satisfactory, Cheryl’s expertise and strategic insights brought significant improvements. Her ability to view my professional history objectively allowed for precise adjustments and optimizations that I wouldn’t have identified on my own. I highly recommend Cheryl to anyone seeking to tailor their CV for the German market. With her assistance, I am confident that my job search will yield better results.
– Rosana, Berlin
I had the pleasure of working with Cheryl Howard on the revision of my CV, and I can’t recommend her enough. She was not only professional and effective, but also incredibly kind and empathetic throughout the entire process. Cheryl helped me review my professional path with clarity and purpose, highlighting strengths I had underestimated and giving structure and value to my experiences.
More than just a CV revision, her support gave me a much-needed boost of motivation and confidence at a pivotal moment in my career. If you’re looking for someone who combines technical expertise with human understanding, Cheryl is exactly who you want by your side.
– Luca, Germany
I had a very favorable experience with Cheryl in this coaching session. She brought up some strong arguments and offered very helpful tips for the improvement of my cover letter. She provided a PDF with more detailed information on every aspect of my letter, including small details that I never thought needed improving. Now I feel much more confident with my job search and I’m confident that my letter is as strong as it can be.
– Nicolas, Berlin
Thank you for all your help. Your advice is truly valuable! I will keep trying and I am sure that sooner rather than later I will find the right job for me. Now that I have a strong CV and know how to write good cover letters, the situation will only improve.
– Paola, Berlin
This (CV) feedback is golden for me! I feel like this will place me in a better standing as a candidate! This is a great service and helps me feel more confident in the process of moving. Thank you so much for the work that you do.
– Dayna, Los Angeles
I hate writing resumes. Thankfully Cheryl made the experience much better. I’m confident my new CV will bring me many new opportunities. Thank you Cheryl!
– Victor, Toronto
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about career coaching in Germany.
What does an interview coaching session look like?
Interview coaching is a structured package: a short intake form, a scoping call where we set the agenda together, a written practice round where I give detailed feedback on your answers, and a full mock interview with techniques for managing nerves. You’ll find the complete five-step process in the package description above.
How many sessions should I book?
If you want to work on a complete job application, book two coaching sessions, one for your cover letter and one for your CV (each has its own process and workbook, so they can’t be combined into a single session). For interviews, there’s no need to count sessions: the Interview Coaching package above covers the whole process, from written practice to your mock interview.
Do you offer sessions in person?
Most sessions are done online via Google Meet. If you’re in Berlin, we can also talk about meeting in person. Just let me know via email. 😊
I'm unsure about booking a session. Can I speak with you first?
If you want to know more about my coaching sessions or more about me, send me an email.
If I send you my CV or cover letter before booking, will you review it?
Sorry, but I don’t work for free. Don’t send me your job applications unless you’ve made a booking.
Can you find me a job in Germany?
I am not a recruiter, so finding a job is ultimately your responsibility. As The Berlin Life a community-minded hub of information and services, we offer plenty of resources to help you find a job in Germany, from our career guides to our community support, as well as our services like job application help.
Can you guarantee me a job in Germany if I use one of your services?
As discussed in my article about the reality of finding work in Berlin, the job-seeking experience is different for everyone, so to say that I can guarantee you a job would only be disingenuous. I certainly try my best to help based on my knowledge and expertise. Several of my clients have reported higher success rates after using my services.
Can you write my CV or cover letter for me?
I don’t write cover letters or CVs for clients. However, I provide expert guidance through written feedback and verbal coaching so you can do it on your own going forward.
I need my job application reviewed ASAP. Do you do rush jobs?
I run The Berlin Life alongside a full-time job, so there’s a minimum turnaround time of one week for all services, coaching sessions, job application reviews, and everything else. This ensures every client gets the same thorough preparation, including your personalized workbook.
Do you offer services in German?
Until I can better my language skills and/or hire support staff, services are provided in English only at the moment.
What happens if I don't send you the needed information within one week after purchase?
If something comes up, email me before the week is out and we’ll figure out a new timeline together. If I simply never hear from you, the service lapses without refund.
Can I reschedule a coaching session?
Yes, once, with at least 24 hours’ notice, no problem at all. Life happens. Just email me as soon as you know, and we’ll find a new date and time together.
What happens if I don't show up to the appointment?
I prepare a personalized workbook before every session, so a missed appointment costs real time that could have gone to another client. If you don’t show up, or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, I’ll give you one chance to rebook. If it happens a second time, our work together ends there, no refund, no hard feelings.
What payment methods do you accept?
At the moment, I only accept credit cards via Kit. If you don’t have one, email me, and we’ll work out something else using Paypal, Wise, or a bank transfer. Note, that payment must be received in full before our work together starts.
Do you offer discounts?
No. My prices are already set deliberately low for what’s included, most career coaches in Germany charge €200 or more per hour, so what you see is what everyone pays. I don’t offer my services for free or in exchange for anything, and I don’t work with the job center at this time.
Do you offer refunds?
All bookings are final. However, if I receive your CV and cover letter and feel that no further improvements need to be made, I’ll happily issue a full refund.
What if I'd rather not do a call?
No problem. If you’d prefer detailed written feedback on your CV or cover letter without a live session, my Job Application Review is the async, more affordable option. You can compare both on my Career Support page.
Ready to get started?
Book your session above, or if you’re not sure which option fits where you’re stuck, see all your career support options side by side. Whichever you choose, you’ll get honest, specific feedback from someone who knows the German job market from both sides of the table.