Get the Ultimate Guide
to Applying for an MBA
Download for free
Download you MBA Admissions Guide
The HHL Leipzig Career Development Team is regarded as one of the best in the world. The school’s career advisor, Anett Hughes, shares how it empowers students to launch a fulfilling career, securing roles at leading companies in Germany and beyond.
Landing a job with purpose is a top priority for master’s graduates. Top business schools inspire professionals to carve out their own path. They also provide students with the support, network, and confidence to land their dream roles.
It’s something that HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management takes very seriously. Anett Hughes, HHL’s Career Advisor, believes that HHL master’s students benefit from a team that knows the German job market inside out.
“All of our career coaches have many years of experience. Many of us [have] more than 10 years,” she says. “So, we know the market really well. We know exactly what steps students need to take to [achieve] their career goals. With this kind of combined expertise in the team, I think we can coach the students particularly well.” (09:30)
This expertise is reflected in the rankings. HHL Leipzig was ranked 5th in the world in the latest Financial Times Master in Management rankings for “Careers Service”.
HHL Career Development Team’s coaching methods are human-centered, designed around each student as an individual. These methods are holistic, taking all aspects of career development into account.
“The main basis of our work is one-to-one career coaching sessions,” says Anett. “We discuss any career-related topic with the students. So, it could be salary negotiations, CV or cover letters, career strategy, and career development.” (00:25) This approach helps the students gain clarity over their desired career outcomes.
“In addition to this, we also run group workshops on topics [such as] applications, interview preparation, career orientation, [and] case study training,” says Anett. “All these things help the students to plan their career and to get to where they want to be.” (00:51)
Individual and group coaching sessions are complemented by recruiting events, such as the HHL Career Day. These events bring companies, students, and alumni together, enabling students to form those all-important connections.
HHL talent coaches provide guidance that aligns with the specific career goals of each student. During HHL master’s programs, students are encouraged to reflect on their ambitions and the sort of career they want to pursue.
“In general, we meet students on a one-to-one basis,” Anett explains. “Especially at the beginning, in these one-to-one coaching sessions, we assess their strengths, values, the kind of environment they need to be successful, the sector they want to go into, their skills, and so on.” (01:37)
HHL’s mentoring and career coaching initiatives help students identify their purpose. Personality tests, one-to-one coaching sessions, career workshops, and self-leadership training provide a career roadmap that helps them gain clarity. From this, the HHL Career Development Team is able to design a bespoke career strategy, coaching the steps needed to take to bring this strategy to fruition.
The HHL Career Development Team works with students to pinpoint their talents and weaknesses. This helps them graduate as a job-ready candidate with the skills and abilities to captivate employers.
Networking skills are fundamental. “Most students might not have done much networking before,” says Anett. “We encourage them to build a network… this means doing informational interviews to practice this networking.” (04:40)
Communication skills are another important aspect of career preparation. As Anett explains, “We work together with the students to build powerful CVs and cover letters… working on their written communication skills, but also on their oral communication skills.” (05:13)
These skills include how to develop personal branding and self marketing, both online and in-person. This gives students the confidence to pitch themselves to future employers. What’s more, the HHL Career Development Team helps students to build resilience, helping them to see setbacks as opportunities to evolve.
HHL truly stands out due to its strong alumni network. It’s a network that comprises more than 4,000 graduates worldwide. This includes alumni from regional German chapters, including Leipzig, Munich, Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt. Yet it also extends beyond Germany, spanning across more than 70 countries. Impressively, HHL’s alumni network is ranked #9 in the world by the latest Financial Times Master in Management ranking.
“We have a very strong network, which we’re really proud of,” Anett says. “They often act as ambassadors for the students. Often, we have a particular alumnus or alumni at a company. If students have questions about this company, we can pass on this contact, and they can speak to them.” (07:16)
Alumni offer invaluable insights to students, from what it takes to submit a successful application to the company culture and ongoing projects. In this way, they act as mentors for the students, inspiring them to achieve their career goals.
Several unique aspects of the HHL’s career development elevate it beyond the traditional business school offering. First, there’s the longevity of the service.
“The unlimited individual sessions that we do with the students are really a USP,” says Anett. “They can come back as often as they need to assess any career-related topic.” (08:16) HHL career services extend beyond graduation, guiding alumni at any point in their careers.
The close-knit nature of the HHL community is another key feature. “Because we are a comparably small school, we build really close relationships with our students,” Anett says. “We know each student by name and can therefore track their progress.” (08:32)
The team is always available to help, operating an ‘open door’ policy. This means students are free to come to them with any questions they might have during their program.
Many international students at HHL Leipzig pursue a career in Germany after graduating. Yet, in such a competitive space, preparation is key. Luckily, the level of preparation graduates receive from Anett and her team is exceptional.
“We highlight the importance of the German language from day one,” she says. (11:30) And while it’s not an essential skill, it’s clear that HHL graduates have an edge over the competition.
“It’s not impossible with just English, but it’s [about] increasing your chances,” says Anett. “Therefore, we also offer German classes at different levels, so that the students can improve their German skills to have a better chance later on.” (11:42)
HHL graduates have gone on to secure positions at major international companies such as Google, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, and Bosch.
Moreover, over 50% of HHL graduates begin their careers in strategy consulting, including at leading firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain & Company. The second largest sector is finance, where graduates start their careers in investment banking at Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley. They also work at fintech companies, in venture capital, or private equity.
What’s more, they earn well, with an average starting salary of €81,500 after graduation. These impressive employment outcomes speak for themselves.
Are you interested in pursuing a master’s degree at one of Europe’s top business schools? Look to HHL Leipzig, where a world-leading Careers Development Team is waiting to help you kickstart the career of a lifetime.
Want to study at HHL Leipzig? Take our eligibility quiz to see if you qualify!
