Frequently asked questions

Before applying everyone has got lots of different questions regarding the company and the carreer perspectives 

Students & Graduates

Traineeprogramme

What are the prerequisites for the two specialisations?

For the trainee programme with the focus on buying you should – in addition to fulfilling the in the “short info” mentioned conditions - also have a sense for style and trends and negotiation skills. You should be open-minded and a number cruncher. As a trainee in the area of sales you should be assertive, an entrepreneur and a leader. You should also love to work in teams. For both areas of specialisation it is important that you are stress-resistant. 

Which fields of study are you targeting with this programme?

We preferably give our traineeships to students of economic fields of study or similar. But also trainees from very different fields of study have started their career with us.

Do I have to apply for a specialisation?

Yes, because we want to get a feeling for what you are most interested in and what your strengths are. It is important that you put your desired field of specialisation in the subject line of your cover letter. 

Can I change the specialisation during the course of the trainee programme?

No, a change of specialisation is generally not planned for. In exceptional cases it might however happen that we discover that your strengths lie in another field of specialisation. Then an individual solution can be discussed with the HR department.

Is a placement abroad possible?

Yes, in exceptional cases. A placement abroad in one of our stores is only possible if you speak the local language. After having finished your programme you can however start in any of our stores. Should you plan to do a placement abroad during your programme we are happy to support you with language classes and intercultural trainings. 

Is there a mentoring programme for the trainees?

Yes there is. An experienced colleague, who is already having a successful career at P&C, will be your personal mentor who is there to support and guide you.

Can I influence my location of work?

Generally speaking you should be flexible as a trainee – also depending your location of work. We cannot always guarantee you the right to decide the location. But we will try to consider your preferences whenever possible. 

Why should I choose the trainee programme over a direct-entry opportunity?

The direct-entries are for experienced professionals. Over the course of the trainee programme graduates are taught the necessary skills and knowledge needed for a specialised career or a leadership position. The trainee programme helps you to gain the practical experience you need for such positions.

Student Internships

For how long can I do an internship?

The minimum of time should be 8 weeks or 2 months. Longer is preferred.

When does the internship start, which departments are possible and what does the internship involve?

An internship with our company can be started any time. It is possible in the following core business areas of Peek&Cloppenburg KG: Sales Buying, P&C Academy, Employer Branding/Human Resources and Expansion. An internship in sales is possible in all our department stores, whereas the others are taking place in our headquarters in Vienna.
You will gain various insights into the processes and structures of our company, as well as become part of day-to-day business and own project-related tasks. Within the frame of your own projects you will have the chance to contribute your knowledge and skills. Thereby we put great store on self-reliance, engagement and communication skills.

When should I apply?

Applications can be submitted at any time. We do not have standardized starting dates for internships. Please note that you should submit your application at least three months prior to your desired starting date.

What qualifications and interests should I have?

To start an internship with our company, you should ideally have already completed the first two semesters of your course of study (e.g. in business management).Ideally, specification within your studies matches the internship you are applying for.
You should share our enthusiasm for fashion and lifestyle, however analytical skills are assured. Communication skills, commitment, team and customer orientation are of most value for us.

What does the selection procedure look like?

First we preselect based on the submitted applications. In a second step you will be invited to a single or group interview into our headquarter in Vienna.

Is an internship abroad possible?

We offer internships in the sales department in our Polish stores.
Furthermore, we offer internships in central buying and human resources in Austria. In this case, excellent German and English language skills are required.

Will I be paid during my internship?

At Peek & Cloppenburg we always pay interns.

Professionals

Direct Entry Sales

Assistant Department Manager

What qualifications/interests should I have?

You have gained sales experience, preferrably in fashion retail, e.g. as a shop assistant or a shopmanager. You have a high affinity to beautiful objects and an assured sense of style. You are also committed, dynamic and ambitious. A well-developed ability to think and act independently is the basic requirement for developing further in the company. We also expect you to be flexible as well.

How will I be trained?

In 12-16 weeks of intensive on-the-job training, you will gain experience in management responsibilities. At the same time, you will be trained in our modular courses in seminars.

Which opportunities for development will I have?

You start as an assistant department manger and will have first-class career prospects, for example in department management to department management in buying, central buying or store management.

Is placement abroad possible?

Yes. If you are interested in other cultures and countries or have special language qualifications, we include these factors in your development plan. Of course we support you with language lessons and intercultural training.

Department Manager

What qualifications/interests should I have?

You have gained sales experience, preferably in fashion retail in a management position with responsibility for turnover and headcount. You have a strong liking for beautiful objects and a good sense for style. You are also committed, dynamic and ambitious. A well-developed ability to think and act independently is the basic requirement for developing further in the company. We also expect you to be flexible.

How will I be trained?

During four to six months of on-the-job training you will be individually prepared for your responsibility as a department manager in one of our stores. You will grow with your tasks and receive more and more responsibility. At the same time, you will be trained in our modular courses in English language at the head office in Vienna or Düsseldorf. After you have completed your training phase, you will be responsible for a sales department.

Which opportunities for development will I have?

You will begin as a department manager and will have first-class career prospects. You could, for example, become a retail buyer or a store manager in your home country. If you are flexible and willing to move, there is even more options waiting for you abroad in all the other countries with P&C stores.

Is placement abroad possible?

Yes. If you are interested in other cultures and countries or have special language qualifications, we include these factors in your development plan. Of course we support you with language lessons and intercultural training.

Store Manager

What qualifications/interests should I have?

You have a university degree (preferably in Economics) combined with several years of experience in a management position in a service-oriented segment or retail, ideally in the area of fashion. Experience in leading and managing people and a solid overview on the local fashion retail market, competitors and the general lifestyle environment is something you bring to the table. You combine a highly professional appearance with in-depth social and communication skills, team orientation, organisational and analytical abilities. Furthermore you dispose of a good understanding of visual merchandising concepts and a very good knowledge of German and / or English Language.

How will I be trained?

During about six months of on-the-job training you will be individually prepared in stores on your local market but also in our international stores abroad. You will grow with your tasks and receive more and more responsibility over time. At the same time, you will be trained in our modular courses in German language at the head office in Vienna or Düsseldorf. After you have completed your training phase, you will be responsible for a store.

Which opportunities for development will I have?

You will begin as a store manager and will have first-class career prospects – even more so if you are flexible regarding to location as there is many career options waiting abroad in the other P&C markets. You could, for example, become a Store Director in the medium-term or a Regional Sales Manager in the long-term.

Is placement abroad possible?

Yes. If you are interested in other cultures and countries or have special language qualifications, we include these factors in your development plan. Of course we support you with language lessons and intercultural training.

What is the application process?

Peek & Cloppenburg wants to take the time to get to know you – and to give you the time to get to know the company. Consequently there is a multiple-stage process consisting of 4-5 steps, which means it is the best to apply 4-5 months before the desired starting-date.

The selection process consists of the following steps:
 

  • An interview with the Head of HR Sales, Corinna Gerl.
  • A sneak-peek into the business, including a meeting with your potential colleagues
  • An interview with your direct superior
  • A meeting with the Managing Board
  • Several testings

Direct Entry Headquarter Positions

Is it useful to apply even though there currently is not an open position?

Yes, you are always welcome to send us an unsolicited application.

Is one application enough if I am interested in various positions or various work locations?

Yes. We will forward your application to the ones who are responsible. Please just indicate all desired positions/locations.

When should I apply?

You can always send us an unsolicited application or access our current open job offers via the online job board. Please do note that between receiving unsolicited applications and the possible starting date there is a time frame of 12 weeks.

How will the recruitment process look like?

After receiving your application documents you will hear back from us 10-14 days later. If your profile fits our requirements the next step is a talk with the HR department in Vienna. For more detailed information check the listed process for Professionals in the Applicant’s Lounge in the menu section “Your Employer”.

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