A quick question

You are a recent graduate from a university or a university of applied sciences and ready to get in touch with Abbott? Here are the answers to frequently asked questions.

• What degrees is Abbott interested in?

  Our focus is upon life sciences, engineering, and business graduates. Their knowledge is essential to achieving our goal of remaining a pioneer in the development of innovative products, technologies, and services and one of the world’s most successful researching health care companies.

• What if I have a different degree?

  You may nevertheless want to apply for employment with Abbott. Your soft skills are sometimes as important to us as your hard skills. We need the support of committed employees who demonstrate initiative and self-reliance in meeting challenges. Without determination, no vision would ever become reality – and no brilliant scientific insight would ever turn into a marketable product.

• What kind of trainee programs does Abbott offer?

  We are currently offering two professional development programs (PDP) in Finance & Controlling and in Sales & Marketing, both in the pharmaceuticals division. We appreciate applications from candidates with excellent degrees and proven personal traits like the ability to work in a team and to effectively communicate. These 18-month programs provide an insight into processes and products. Trainees are quickly allowed to work on their own supported by experienced colleagues.

• What’s better for my career: a trainee program or direct entry position?

  It depends on your personal objectives. If you are eager to join a team facing real – and more often than not urgent – challenges right away, apply for a vacancy or simply submit your online profile. If you appreciate a more systematic introduction to the business, our professional development programs (PDP) may be the ideal solution for you. Both routes can lead to career success.

• Does the trainee program include some time abroad?

  Project-related time abroad is always possible in a global health care company like Abbott, but it is not a distinct part of the trainee program. Our main objective is to familiarize you with the range of challenges involved in supporting Abbott Germany. After all, with more than 4,100 employees at five sites, we are the largest and most important subsidiary outside the USA.

• What are my career prospects?

  That’s entirely up to you! The professional development of our employees is important to us, because they create our success as a health care company. That’s why we invest in continuing education. Once you have shown your abilities in your field, you can apply for a promotion or lateral move. We conduct regular employee meetings to discuss objectives and career aspirations.

• Can I write my doctoral dissertation at Abbott?

  If you already have a research project or anticipate finding one whilst working with Abbott, please talk to us so we can explore ways of supporting you with your dissertation. After all, an expert workforce is what allows us to deliver on our promise of improving quality of life and health.

• What kind of documents am I supposed to submit?

  We will need a cover letter, a résumé and references from former employers. Please submit documents via our online career portal only. You will be required to complete a competency profile, listing your qualifications, skills, and experience. We need this information to match your application against our requirements.

• How does the application process work?

  Please submit your application online. We will contact you within four weeks after having received your documents. If your profile matches the requirements of a vacancy in our company, we will invite you for an interview with hiring managers, future colleagues, and human resources representatives. If you convince us that together we will make a difference, you will receive an attractive offer in a short period of time.

• What additional benefits does Abbott offer?

  Your compensation package is based on the position and prior experience. It includes both holiday pay and a Christmas bonus equivalent to one month’s salary. We also provide appropriate accident insurance for work-related travel.
  
  We provide an employee pension plan with options including annuities and deferred compensation. To ensure that employees participate in the company’s success, we offer the opportunity to buy shares in our US parent company.
  
  The Clara Abbott Foundation provides personalized financial consulting for employees and financial planning workshops on topics including insurance and retirement planning. The foundation also awards scholarships to the children of Abbott employees.