Everyone started without experience — but how you position yourself makes the difference. LinkedIn Economic Graph: Starters with a GitHub portfolio, internships and clear project evidence receive up to 4x more interview invitations than pure graduates. What you have instead of work experience: Internships and working student positions (always describe with measurable outcomes), university projects and thesis, voluntary work and club involvement (leadership experience, responsibility), soft skills through sports clubs, theatre groups, student exchanges. Cedefop and ILO Youth Employment: Career starters under 25 benefit in Germany from BA support programmes — free career counselling, application workshops, funded internships. Tip: Apply for positions where you meet 60-70% of the requirements — 100% match is unachievable for anyone.
Sources & Data
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