DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung Interview Questions
& Process

I was invited for an on-site interview, and then received a generic email for the rejection. The process is inconsistent for different internship positions within the company, which I find unprofessional. Another internship interview was conducted online and then rejected via phone, which was much friendlier and more pleasant. During the on-site interview, it was clearly stated that they want to get the most out of interns for the company. I was picked up from the meeting point for the interview significantly later than agreed, and afterwards the interviewers debated who 'had to' bring me back because neither of them actually had time for it. Overall, a bad candidate experience and an unprofessionally inconsistent process. My impression was that they consider themselves a pretty great employer, but the bureaucratic nature in the recruitment process still shines through even after 30 years. The required documents also differed greatly for the two positions. This needs fresh ideas, more modern perspectives (fewer internal hires), and uniform processes.

It was a personal interview, followed by a tour of the facilities. Then there was a trial run in the simulator, a radio communication test, and a presentation of the duty roster. They also explained the terms and conditions of employment and the contract details. Unfortunately, it wasn't as advertised in the job posting. It was a 6-month fixed-term contract, apparently to bypass collective agreements and offer low wages.

First, there's a biographical questionnaire to fill out about your school days, work experiences, how you spend your free time, your character traits, and interests. About a week later, I got invited to a 2-day selection process at the DLR Institute for Aviation and Space in Hamburg. It's a very demanding 8-hour aptitude test on a touchscreen computer, with short breaks and a lunch break. The DLR provides training programs for this test, which are definitely worth using. In Hamburg, the first day involved many small tests to assess basic skills for the job. On the second day, the results from the first day were announced, and about 20% passed. The second day consists of tests simulating the actual job of an air traffic controller. After a week, I got an email saying I unfortunately didn't pass this day. If you pass, you're invited to the next step where teamwork and English skills are tested, and you have an interview. I can only recommend just trying it; you can never really assess yourself, so everyone has a chance to succeed. DFS reimburses travel costs.

A multi-day selection process in Hamburg, divided into 4 stages and two separate dates. The final stage is an interview focusing on motivation and personality. Before that, there are various computer tests, work samples, and group tests. There's also an English test before the interview.