Our Advisory & Coaching Services

Together we find answers to your career questions.

Whether you are applying for a junior research group or professorship, getting a foothold in business, science management, or another sector – you benefit from our independent expertise and our cross-sectoral network.

CV and Cover Letter Check

We discuss your career plans and help you optimize your CV and/or cover letter for a convincing application in science, business, or other sectors –  also in relation to a specific job posting.

Do you have a job interview or want to negotiate your salary? We help you prepare.

Cost: 30 Euros + 7% VAT (CV) / 50 Euros + 7% VAT (CV and cover letter) – to be transferred after the consultation

Scope: 30 or 45 min. via Zoom

Free registration
Coaching at GSO with Birte

Coaching

Are you looking for more in-depth support? Coaching helps if

  • You want to clarify your strengths, skills, values, motivation, and goals
  • You are thinking about leaving academia – but what then?
  • You have challenges ahead of you or behind you and need clarification, a different approach, or want to change something

Cost: 30 min. get-to-know-each-other free of charge. After the conclusion of the coaching agreement 75 Euro (+ 7% VAT) per session – to be transferred after the session

Scope: 90 min. via zoom or in person at GSO offices in Berlin-Mitte

Free registration
Online Counselling for Postdocs with Birte

Brief Career Advice for Postdocs

As a postdoc you can book a free consultation, e.g. on these questions:

  • Which career path is right for me?
  • How does the German academic system work?
  • How do I find jobs in other sectors?
  • What are the next steps I can take?

For more in-depth support, see below if coaching is suitable for you.

For legal questions (e.g. professorship negotiations) we recommend membership in the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers, their professional representation in Germany.

Scope: One-time, 30 min. via Zoom

Free registration
GSO Workshop
Cherie Birkner

Career Workshops for Groups

We also visit your university, institute, or organization – virtually or in person.

We are happy to get in touch with your institution and offer tailor-made workshops.

Cost: upon request – depending on the topic, scope, number of trainers, and, if applicable, guests

Scope: from a few hours up to two days

More information

Personal Consultation with GSO

We, Birte & Anne, know the challenges of postdocs from our own experience. We both transitioned from academia to research management and the nonprofit sector; Anne also moved from the US back to Germany. In this process, we learned what works and what doesn’t.

Coaching & Networks

Birte Seffert is trained as a systemic coach.

Anne Schreiter is a certified systemic coach and advisor (ECA).

We are part of a multi-sector network and will work with you on your career strategy.

We tailor our consultations and coachings to your current needs and constraints. If seeking our advice poses a serious financial challenge, we will find a solution.

If possible we connect you with contacts from our network working in different sectors. This gives you the chance to learn more about career paths and how to get there.

We also offer guidance for a membership in The German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (Deutscher Hochschulverband, in short DHV).

Anne Schreiter, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dr. Birte Seffert
Head of Advisory and Funding Programs
"Making my way to the United States for my 2‐year postdoc visit was an easy transition. Trying to go back to Germany was more challenging. I needed to find and apply for a job without an idea on where to start searching and how the German system works. Attending the GSO Fit for Germany-Workshop helped me to get a good overview over the academic landscape and where to start. Once I found a great job posting I reached out to the GSO for advice on my application package. They took the time to go over all my documents and helped me to tailor my CV and cover letter which eventually got me the job. The support and encouragement from the GSO guided me through the whole process from the start to the finish line and was instrumental for my success."
Dr. Bettina Hieronimus
"I am an academic from the USA, who decided to move to Berlin with my family. That was challenging enough but I also began searching for non-academic jobs, and I needed all the advice I could get. This is when I reached out to the GSO, who provided very helpful advice and context to my job search. They helped me to revamp my CV, develop some new strategies, and referred me to some new contacts. I gained a new perspective on the entire process and was better able to see how finding a job in Germany differs from doing so in my native country. While my job search was neither quick nor easy, it would have been more difficult and less manageable without the help of the GSO."
Jeffrey Wolf, PhD
“After living abroad for more than a decade and after our most recent stay in the USA, my husband and I decided to move back to Germany. Without a network in Germany, finding a job was very challenging. A friend recommended the GSO and I reached out for advice on the application process, documents, and the market situation. Not only did the GSO help me with the process, e.g. reviewing my CV and cover letter, but they were always there for me and genuinely cared about my situation. It is a very special organization with wonderful people, who were an essential element in starting my career in Germany.”
Dr. Silvia Keppler
"I did a post‐doc in the US when I came in touch with GSO at a networking conference. GSO supported me for job applications back home in Germany. There have been a lot of generous efforts, e.g., in revamping CV and the application letter, and also in simply motivating me to keep on the academic track. I was really impressed by the enthusiasm of the GSO team. Thank you so much!"
Dr. Christoph Rosche