Kick-start your career: TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program

Application

After your application, a recruiter specialized in TOP START will thoroughly and objectively review your resume and documents based on the program criteria. You will receive initial feedback from our recruiting center within five business days.

Online assessment

If your profile meets our program criteria, we will invite you to an online assessment. In total, the assessment takes around 90-minutes and will help us to better understand your key drivers and motivators at work, your preferred working style and aspects of your work-related personality, as well as your level of critical reasoning. Your results will be compared with the results of other candidates. After completing the test, you will receive a personalized feedback report outlining your strengths and areas for development.

Video interview with recruiter

In a personal video interview, our TOP START recruiter will ask about your interest and motivation for BASF and the trainee program. You will have the opportunity to discuss your career goals, general experiences and skills with us. Additionally, we encourage you to ask any questions you may have.

For candidates who apply for the Future Leaders Summit, we will skip this step.

Video interview with program manager

In a video interview you have the chance to meet the program manager, who is eager to get to know you better and understand why you are the right fit for this unique opportunity. During this conversation we will discuss a possible program structure based on your background and interests. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the trainee program and our company.

Optional: Future Leaders Summit

If you applied to the Future Leaders Summit and successfully completed all previous steps, you will be invited to join the event. The summit offers an exceptional chance to get to know BASF in depth, meet our senior management up to board level and exchange with the existing TOP START community.

The Future Leaders Summit takes place in Germany and is recommended for all candidates applying for the Germany Track. If agreed on, also candidates applying for the China Track can join the Future Leaders Summit, but this is not a prerequisite to join the program.

Final interview round with senior managers

As a last step before the final offer, you will have a final interview round with 4-5 senior managers, including a member of the BASF board and presidents. Interviews will be conducted either online or in person, as agreed upon beforehand. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the big picture and your ability to take a broad perspective. You will also discuss bold ideas for addressing current and future challenges in global business. Within a few days you will receive your final feedback from the program manager.

Final offer

After successfully completing the final interview round, we will contact you to discuss contract details and explore ideas for how the trainee program can be tailored to you, including possible rotations. We will also discuss the start date, which is flexibel not predetermined for all candidates.

For the trainee program, there is no fixed application deadline. Please check the available postings for China and Germany. However, we generally recommend applying at least four months before your preferred start date to allow sufficient time to complete the recruitment process. 

Some of our TOP START trainees have even recommended applying more than four months before the preferred start date. This gives you the opportunity to sign your contract early and write your master’s thesis or travel after completing your studies – without having to worry about applications. 

For the “Future Leaders Summit” event, there is a fixed application deadline: Please apply by March 15 to become part of our exclusive event in Ludwigshafen. The Future Leaders Summit is the preferred application route for candidates applying to the Germany track, but it is also open to candidates applying to the China track. 

The Future Leaders Summit is an exclusive career event for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program. During the event, participants will get a glimpse into what a career at BASF can look like as well as the opportunity to network with diverse and ambitious young leaders within our company and with members of the board.

The Future Leaders Summit is an optional offer. You can apply for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program without attending the Future Leaders Summit. Please see the different postings available. 

Learn more about the Future Leaders Summit

When is the application deadline for the TOP START trainee program?

There is no application deadline. However, we recommend applying at least 4 months prior to the preferred entry date to have sufficient time to complete the recruiting process.

Some of our TOP START participants have also highlighted that applying more than 4 months prior to the preferred entry date is recommended. It offers you the possibility to sign your contract early and write your master thesis or to travel after graduation without worrying about job applications.

Which documents are required to apply?

Please attach the following documents with your application: motivation letter, CV (please add your final/current average grade in your CV). High school diploma, Bachelor’s degree with grades, Master’s degree with grades or current transcript pf grades, work references (letter or person of contact), GMAT Test Score (if available), and certificates.

What is the maximun file size I can upload?

Files such as scanned certificates must be no larger than 5 MB each. Please try to use PDF formats.

In which language do I apply?

English is the preferred language, but applications in German are also accepted.

Can I apply for both, the Future Leaders Summit and the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program in parallel?

Please only apply to either one of the two. If you wish to attend the Future Leaders Summit, please apply for the event. If you do not wish to attend the Future Leaders Summit, apply directly for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program.

I don’t have a business background. Can I still apply for the TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program?

While we primarily seek candidates with a business background, we are also open to exciting profiles looking to transition into business. However, you should have already gained some experience in a business context, for example, through internships or professional positions.

What is the privacy policy regarding the online application system?

All data provided to BASF is handled strictly in accordance with German data protection legislation. HR details, including candidate information obtained via our online application system, are treated in the strictest confidence and are used exclusively for application purposes.

How long does the recruiting process take from application to the final feedback?

The end-to-end recruiting process takes on average 3 to 4 months.

When will I receive feedback after the final interview day?

Typically, you will receive feedback within a few days after your final interviews.

If you participate in the Future Leaders Summit, which usually takes place in May each year, interviews will take place the week following the summit, and you will receive final feedback within a few days.

Is there a fixed date upon which I have to start my first rotation?

The TOP START International Business Leader Trainee Program offers you flexibility to start all year round, there are no fixed entry dates.

What is the start location and where will I get a contract?

The trainee program starts either in Germany (Ludwigshafen) or China (Shanghai). We will align with you on the location at the beginning of the recruiting process. Please also see the different postings for the locations when applying.