Stories from the consultation: Mohammad Ali Rezaee in an interview with MobiJob

Mohammad Ali Rezaee (28) comes from Afghanistan and has lived in Germany since 2015. He learned German in Berlin, caught up on his school-leaving certificate and completed various internships in the hospitality industry. Looking for an apprenticeship, he came to MobiJob for advice in July 2020. In September 2020 he will start his three-year apprenticeship as a specialist salesman in the food trade at the organic bakery Beumer & Lutum. Mohammad tells his story in an interview.

MobiJob: We are happy that you are with us today, Mohammad. Our first question: Why did you decide to train as a salesperson?

Mohammad: I would like to be in contact with people every day. That's what I like about the job as a salesman. I also grew up in the country as a child, where I helped out on the farm and grew fruit and vegetables. I look back fondly on that. That's why I wanted to be a food salesman.

MobiJob: In the past five years you have already achieved a lot that you can be proud of: you have done the BBR, passed the German B2 exam and gained work experience. How did internships help you with your career orientation?

"The EQ was really great because I was able to get to know the vocational school there."

Mohammad: At the very beginning I wanted to be a car mechatronics technician, but my qualifications were not good enough for that. After that, I wanted to do something with food because I was familiar with it from my childhood. For example, I did an entry qualification* in a hotel and worked in the restaurant there. That took six months. Then I did other internships and noticed that I enjoyed working as a salesman much more.

MobiJob: What was special about the introductory qualification for you?

Mohammad: The EQ was really great because I was able to get to know the vocational school there. So now I know what to expect. You can't do such an apprenticeship in my home country. You only learn with experience.

"Because I come from Afghanistan, I wasn't allowed to do an integration course at the beginning."

MobiJob: What experiences did you have after your arrival in Germany?

Mohammad: Because I come from Afghanistan, I wasn't allowed to take an integration course at first. I lived in a dorm and there was a caretaker. I went to him and asked: "Can I help you?" I did that for a year. He then also helped me with the German language. Later, volunteer teachers found my first internship for me. In 2018 I even worked in a lounge at the airport for three months.

MobiJob: How did you experience the application process for your current apprenticeship position?

Mohammad: In the beginning I didn't even know how to find an apprenticeship. I couldn't write an application by myself. I got a lot of rejections. But I knew from before that the people at JOB POINT could help me. I called and got an appointment at MobiJob. I brought my documents with me and we revised everything together. We sent several applications and I got two answers. That was from Beumer & Lutum and from a pastry shop. I did a trial job at the pastry shop, but it didn't work out. After that everything happened so fast! I was in the consultation, then I left and I wasn't home yet and we already got an answer from Beumer & Lutum.

MobiJob: What happened next?

Mohammad: I was again at the trial work for a day. Everything was new to me at first, but by lunchtime I was able to talk to customers and make sandwiches. That was a lot of fun. After that, the boss said directly: "You can deal with the customers, you can do the training with us!"

"I think it's particularly great that I work in an organic bakery!"

MobiJob: That sounds wonderful! What are you looking forward to most about your training?

Mohammad: I am happy that I can work with many people. And I think it's particularly great that I work in an organic bakery! I'm also looking forward to vocational school because I didn't go to school long in my home country.

MobiJob: You also do voluntary work in Berlin, how do you get involved?

Mohammad: I sing in the choir in the neighborhood house Kiezspinne. It's called "vote swapping". I've been there since 2016. This is a multicultural choir and everyone is welcome, young or old. I also help other people from my home country and tell them, for example, where they can learn German. I also met a very nice family there. You are helping me so that I can hopefully now get an apprenticeship permit. That is not so easy for people from Afghanistan. But I hope that works.

MobiJob: Finally, what advice would you give to other people?

Mohammad: In the beginning it is difficult when you are in another country, especially because of the language. But you have to try and you can do it if you want. But you can't do everything alone. It's best to get help. I can say that from my own experience.

MobiJob: Thank you very much for the interview! We wish you continued success and a successful start to your training!

We interviewed Mohammad a week before he started his apprenticeship.

*An introductory qualification (EQ) is a career orientation measure from the Employment Agency. This is a paid long-term internship of 6 to 12 months. During this time, the interns get to know the training occupation, the training company and the vocational school and are prepared for the dual training.