Family business career day at dm in Karlsruhe: 700 talents meet 66 companies

700 selected talents used the "Family Business Career Day" at dm to network with 66 companies and explore career opportunities. Over 1,000 interviews and many stand discussions took place.

On July 5, 2024, the "Family Business Careers Day" took place at dialogicum, the corporate headquarters of dm-drogerie markt in Karlsruhe. At a time when many companies in the HR sector are complaining about a lack of qualified applicants, the "Family Business Careers Day" stands out in a clearly positive light. The event in Karlsruhe shows that it is still possible to attract a wide range of talented and motivated specialists. Under the motto "Live work differently", 700 pre-selected talents came together with 66 leading family businesses. The career day was organized by the Entrepreneurs Club.

Diverse career opportunities

The companies represented included well-known names such as Hilti, Kärcher and the Schwarz Group. Over 1,000 pre-scheduled individual interviews and numerous stand discussions enabled an intensive professional exchange. In total, more than 5,000 jobs were presented by the companies.

Opinion leaders in politics and the media often focused too much on the DAX companies. It is important to me that we as a family business can offer a far more long-term perspective than the decision-makers of listed companies

Christoph Werner, Chairman of the dm Management Board

Stefan Klemm, founder of the Entrepreneurs Club, was delighted to host the largest careers day to date at dm in Karlsruhe. He hopes that the event not only brought together motivated young professionals with exciting career options, but also underlined the importance of family businesses for the economy and society.

Participants from over 50 nations

The participants came from all over Germany and from over 50 different nations. Talents from the STEM sector were particularly well represented. The dmTECH Lab was a particular highlight for them, as they were able to get to know the technical innovations of the family-owned companies.

Stefan Heidbreder, Managing Director of the Family Business Foundation, emphasized the high innovative strength of family businesses. These offer employees many opportunities to make a meaningful contribution. The Career Day is the ideal platform to convey this perspective to young specialists and managers.

60 percent of all jobs

In Germany, family businesses make up 90 percent of all companies and provide 60 percent of jobs. These companies are often characterized by sustainable management, a positive working atmosphere and a wide range of personal development opportunities.

The "Family Business Career Day" is an initiative of leading family entrepreneurs, the Entrepreneurs Club and the Family Business Foundation. The aim is to bring together highly qualified specialists and managers with the owners and HR decision-makers of family businesses. The patron of the event is the Federal Minister of Economics.

Focus on the future world of work

Christian Harms, dm Managing Director for Employees, emphasized dm's understanding of "living work differently". This means a sustainable working world in which people find meaning in their work and an encouraging freedom for individual initiatives and benevolent cooperation is created. This understanding was shared in many inspiring conversations with visitors to the Career Day.

The next Family Business Career Days will take place on November 8, 2024 at the new SMS group campus in Mönchengladbach and on June 6, 2025 at Bürkert in Ingelfingen.