"A change of perspective is very helpful for the career"

The first step towards the dream job – what is your advice?

Sven Sommerlatte: It is often difficult to project yourself far into the future and determine how to achieve your goals. A so-called desired CV can be a good tool here. My advice is not to wait until the career path is completed to write down the CV from A to Z. Instead, write down the CV backwards, starting with the dream job that you aspire to and reflect about the different career steps that will be required to reach your goal. Creativity and courage are welcome here! Should there be a change, and this will certainly be the case, because the future is uncertain, the desired CV can be adapted.

For some it seems to have been clear for a long time – for others less so: How do you recognize the dream job?

Sven Sommerlatte: It is important to get a very accurate picture of your career goal. All too often, the understanding of job content is rather vague. People also often lack of clarity on the impact certain jobs have on their work-life-balance, e.g., if a lot of traveling is required. One can only thrive in a future role if all these components match ones needs and expectations. I therefore recommend getting in touch with people who work in this profession. 

What to do if wishes, life circumstances or the image of the dream job change?

Sven Sommerlatte: It's important to set up a career plan first. But it can be a "living" document that helps to achieve existing or new professional goals. The assumptions underlying this plan should be regularly challenged. Have personal preferences changed? Has the career unexpectedly developed differently than originally intended? Also, any new gained experiences and knowledge should be added to the career plan. And finally, it is very useful to discuss this plan with others and to hear their advice. A change of perspective is very helpful for the career.

What about rather diverse job experiences?

Sven Sommerlatte: I even appeal: Expand your base of professional experience. Many of us are still focused on vertical career advancement. At the beginning of our careers, we should align ourselves much more strongly laterally. This helps to gain new experiences that will later be indispensable for our dream job. I therefore advise you to deal openly with possible gaps in experience and to include them in the planning through new career opportunities. I see two main reasons why the hierarchically oriented profiles are less attractive today. On the one hand, the ability to think outside the box in order to find innovative solutions to problems is becoming increasingly important. On the other hand, our environment is subject to such rapid change that it is quite risky to put all your eggs in one basket. 

How can this be put into practice?

Sven Sommerlatte: International stays, line and project management experience and much more are valuable experiences. Here, the choice of employer can already be part of the answer. Boehringer Ingelheim, for example: With a people-oriented corporate culture, it is convinced that it can only achieve its goals with empowered employees and that everyone can develop further. Employee development has a high priority, and this includes an inclusive working environment, concepts such as lifelong learning and individual development plans – also with the opportunity to build up a broad base of experience.

Corporate culture – what role can it play in career decisions?

Sven Sommerlatte: It is essential – also for the choice of the employer. In my view, the most important cultural difference between companies lies in the spectrum between organizations on the one hand where team spirit is highly valued. On the other hand, there are organizations with a strong internal competitive culture that can easily lead to "everyone fights for themselves". Most companies are somewhere in between. As a research-driven pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim places a strong focus on its employees and feels a strong responsibility for human and animal health. This is closely related to another aspect, the company's purpose. My advice is to take a critical look at whether this purpose corresponds to one's own values and whether one can identify with the company's activity.

At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are convinced that tomorrow holds great opportunities for more progress, more sustainability, and more health. So, we grow together and beyond ourselves – in our global job portal you will find all vacancies – worldwide!