You have rewritten your CV ten times, sent dozens of applications – and still no interview invitations? The “Dein Jobweg” programme is 12 weeks of one-to-one work with a coach via Zoom: from analysing your strengths to searching for vacancies and sending applications together. If your AVGS voucher from the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter is approved, taking part costs you nothing.
The Dein Jobweg programme in one minute
“Dein Jobweg – Individuelles Bewerbungscoaching online” is an activation and occupational integration measure run by Vitavia Akademie. It is designed for people who have received, or plan to apply for, an AVGS voucher and want to get into work not on their own but with the support of a personal coach.
| Item | Dein Jobweg |
|---|---|
| Name | Dein Jobweg – Individuelles Bewerbungscoaching online |
| Funding | Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (AVGS) |
| Legal basis | § 45 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1 SGB III, § 16 SGB II |
| Format | individual online coaching via Zoom, from anywhere in Germany |
| Scope | 120 teaching units (UE) of 45 minutes, about 10 UE per week |
| Duration | 12 weeks (about three months); the schedule is agreed individually |
| Participants | 1 person – one-to-one work only |
| Cost to you | €0 once your AVGS is approved – including learning materials and, if needed, a device for the duration of the course |
| Language | German; at the start, communication in English or Russian is possible |
| Provider | Vitavia Akademie UG (haftungsbeschränkt), Kempten – AZAV-certified |
How is Dein Jobweg different from ordinary CV coaching?
The typical scenario: a coach helps you polish your CV and cover letter, and then you are left alone with the job search. In “Dein Jobweg” the key part of the work begins precisely after the documents are ready: together with your coach you search for vacancies in real time, compare them with your profile and send off applications.
- Applying together: several rounds of “matching + application” in which you and your coach find vacancies, apply and follow up with employers.
- Tackling obstacles: in the first week we analyse your personal barriers to finding work and build concrete steps for each one into the plan.
- Depth instead of an express format: 120 UE over 12 weeks – considerably more than many compact AVGS coaching programmes.
- Technology is no barrier: if you do not have a suitable device, we lend you one free of charge on request (iPad or MacBook Neo) with the software already installed.
What does the programme aim to achieve?
The goal of “Dein Jobweg” is to clarify your professional situation, remove obstacles on your way to work and support you in a successful job search. By the end of the programme you will usually:
- understand your strengths and have a clear professional goal;
- have identified your personal barriers with your coach and already taken steps to remove them;
- have a complete, convincing set of application documents and an updated LinkedIn or Xing profile;
- be able to compare vacancies with your profile systematically (matching);
- have applied for suitable jobs several times already;
- feel more confident in interviews – both in person and by video.
No coaching can guarantee a job. However, a clear direction and regular support noticeably increase search activity and confidence in interviews in many cases.
How are the 12 weeks structured?
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Analysis of your starting point, setting goals, reviewing obstacles to employment; drawing up your personal coaching plan |
| 2 | Strengths analysis, choosing a target occupation and industry |
| 3 | Documents: Lebenslauf (CV), Anschreiben (cover letter), Bewerbungsmappe (application file), online profiles |
| 4 | Matching strategy and analysis of the job market |
| 5–6 | Matching and applications I–II: searching together in real time, first applications, follow-up |
| 7–8 | Interview preparation, including a mock interview on Zoom |
| 9–10 | Matching and applications III–IV: new rounds, reviewing employer responses |
| 11 | Networking and approaching employers directly |
| 12 | Salary negotiation, final review and your personal action plan |
We agree the plan at the first meeting and adjust it as your search progresses. So the table is a guide, not a rigid schedule.
Who will be your coach?
- Education: Bachelor of Arts – International Business; Master of Arts – Unternehmertum (Entrepreneurship)
- Experience: many years of career coaching, job application training and language coaching
- Languages: German; Russian – native level; English – fluent
For people whose second language is German, being able to start in another familiar language often removes the main stress of the first meetings: it is easier to explain your experience and goals. The documents for employers themselves are usually prepared in German – to the standards of the German job market.
What do you need to take part?
- a valid AVGS voucher from the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter;
- basic German – you can start in English or Russian;
- no degree or formal qualification is required;
- a stable internet connection, a camera and a microphone (Zoom app or browser).
On request we lend you a device free of charge for the duration of the programme (iPad or MacBook Neo) with the software pre-installed – all you need to do is click the Zoom link.
Letter generator for the Jobcenter
Which letter do you need?
Choose your goal – the generator builds a well-reasoned request in German step by step, with your signature and all provider details.
AVGS request for job search coaching
- ≈ 10 minutes
- PDF with signature
- free of charge
What it is for: you are looking for work and want a voucher for the individual job search coaching «Dein Jobweg».
- Reasoning under § 45 (1) sentence 1 no. 1 SGB III
- Your obstacles and strengths – to the point
- PDF with signature and provider offer
AVGS request for start-up coaching
- ≈ 10 minutes
- PDF with signature
- free of charge
What it is for: you plan to become self-employed and want a voucher for the start-up coaching «Dein Gründungsweg».
- Reasoning under § 45 (1) sentence 1 no. 4 SGB III
- Idea, resources and gaps – convincingly
- PDF with signature and provider offer
Whether an AVGS is issued is decided by the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter. The generator helps you make your case clearly and to the point.
How do you sign up for Dein Jobweg?
- Registration on the Vitavia Akademie website: contact details and upload of your AVGS voucher.
- Call-back and a first, no-obligation conversation: goals and technical equipment.
- Documents: you receive the participant information and sign the contract online via Zoho Sign.
- Coordination with the office that referred you and choice of meeting dates.
- Start of the coaching on Zoom.
Below is a detailed explanation of how the AVGS works in general and how to prepare for the conversation with your adviser at the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. Go to the request form
What follows is general information, not tied to a specific programme: what Bewerbungscoaching is, how the AVGS works, who can get one and how to choose a provider.
What is Bewerbungscoaching?
Bewerbungscoaching (job application coaching) is structured, usually individual support through every stage of the job search. The work typically covers four areas: strengths and professional goal, search strategy, documents for employers and interview preparation.
Unlike a one-off CV check, coaching lasts several weeks or months. The coach guides the process, gives feedback and adapts the content to your specific situation – for example after a long break, during a change of industry or when returning from parental leave.
Coaching can be paid privately (a one-off session or a package) or fully funded through an AVGS. Which option is available depends, among other things, on your status with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter.
What is an AVGS (Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein)?
An AVGS is an activation and placement voucher. With it you can take part in coaching or use placement services from an accredited provider without paying for them yourself. The legal basis is § 45 SGB III; for people receiving Bürgergeld (basic income support) it applies via § 16 SGB II.
Important: the AVGS is a discretionary measure, not an automatic entitlement. Your adviser (Vermittlungsfachkraft) decides in each individual case. Once you have the voucher, you can usually choose the provider yourself – as long as it is AZAV-certified and its offer matches the conditions of the voucher.
| Aspect | What it means |
|---|---|
| Payment | after approval, the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter covers the costs in full – your contribution is €0. In some cases additional costs can be reimbursed |
| Choice of provider | unlike being assigned to a specific course, with an AVGS you can usually choose a certified provider yourself |
Who can get an AVGS for job application coaching?
The voucher is issued to people registered with the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter if, in the office’s view, coaching improves their chances of finding work. In practice this often includes:
| Situation | Typical goal for the coaching |
|---|---|
| Unemployment or the threat of it | a new search strategy, breaking out of a standstill |
| A fixed-term contract ending or notice of dismissal received | starting the search early, a smooth transition |
| Returning after parental leave, caring for a relative or illness | up-to-date documents, self-confidence |
| Working while topping up with Bürgergeld (Aufstocker) | a better position, full-time employment |
| Wanting to change profession or industry | presenting transferable skills, a new direction |
| Professionals from abroad for whom German is a second language | German application standards, getting foreign experience recognised, starting in another familiar language |
Whether an AVGS is issued in your case is decided solely by the responsible adviser. The groups listed are typical examples, not an exhaustive list.
What does the route to AVGS coaching generally look like?
- Clarify your needs – what kind of support you need. It helps to find a specific provider offer in advance.
- Talk to your adviser – in person, by phone, in writing or via the app.
- Review and decision – the office assesses the conditions and makes a decision.
- Voucher – if approved, you receive an AVGS stating its scope and validity.
- Contact the provider – the certified provider checks that the programme matches the voucher.
- Start the coaching – in person, online or in a blended format.
The procedure may differ depending on the office and the provider.
What happens during the coaching itself?
The content is selected individually, but most programmes – including “Dein Jobweg” – share common building blocks:
- Analysing your starting point: experience, skills and strengths.
- Professional goal: which position or industry is realistic for your profile.
- Strategy and matching: where and how to search, including speculative applications and direct contact with employers.
- Documents: Lebenslauf, Anschreiben and online profiles tailored to specific vacancies.
- Interview: self-presentation, typical questions, a mock video interview.
- Review and negotiation: analysing feedback and preparing for the salary conversation.
Good coaching changes not only the CV, but also how confidently a person talks about their professional path.
How long does AVGS job application coaching last?
The scope and duration are set by the approved voucher and measured in teaching units (UE) of 45 minutes. Different models exist on the market:
| Model | Scope | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Compact coaching | about 20 UE | about 8 weeks |
| Standard coaching | about 32–40 UE | 8–10 weeks |
| Intensive coaching | about 56–74 UE | up to 12 weeks |
| Dein Jobweg | 120 UE | 12 weeks, ~10 UE per week |
A larger scope above all means more joint work on real applications. Which scope is approved in your case is decided by the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter.
What does job application coaching cost – with and without an AVGS?
| Format | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| One-off session (60–90 min) | about €80–200 |
| Online coaching, per hour | about €40–120 |
| Package over several weeks | about €1,200–4,800 |
| With an approved AVGS | €0 own costs |
The prices are guide values based on publicly available offers on the market; they depend on the provider, the region and the scope of services. If an AVGS is approved, the costs are settled directly between the office and the education provider.
How to prepare for getting an AVGS: step by step
- Preparation: briefly describe your situation and goal; it helps to have the description of a specific programme to hand – for example the “Dein Jobweg” fact sheet.
- Conversation: raise the topic at your next meeting with your adviser.
- Justification: explain why coaching could improve your chances of finding suitable work.
- Decision: if approved, you will receive the voucher.
- Provider: contact your chosen organisation with the voucher and agree a start date.
A clear justification and a ready offer show your initiative and can make the assessment easier. But they do not guarantee approval – the decision remains with the office.
How do you choose a good provider?
- AZAV certificate: without it, a provider cannot work with AVGS vouchers.
- Transparent coach qualifications: education and experience should be stated.
- Individual format: one-to-one work, not just group sessions.
- A clear plan: scope, frequency of meetings and topics are described in advance.
- Practice: applications are actually prepared and sent together.
- Accessibility: online meetings, quick communication, technical support.
Common mistakes
- Starting too late: people think of the AVGS only when their motivation is already at zero.
- No target position: even a perfect CV works poorly without a direction.
- An unprepared conversation with the adviser: without a justification, it is harder to assess the need.
- Coaching just to tick a box: the result depends largely on your own activity between sessions.
Questions and answers about Dein Jobweg and AVGS coaching
Is AVGS coaching really free?
How much time do I need to set aside each week?
Can I take part if my German is still weak?
I don’t have a computer – what can I do?
What happens if I find a job during the coaching?
Am I entitled to an AVGS?
Can I choose the provider myself?
Can I get an AVGS while I am still employed?
How quickly can I start after approval?
Information as of October 2026
This article gives a general picture of the “Dein Jobweg” programme and of AVGS coaching. How far it applies to you depends on your circumstances. In a free introductory call we can discuss your situation and work out whether “Dein Jobweg” is the right next step towards a job for you.
Prepare your AVGS requestLegal notice: This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute individual legal, tax or financial advice and does not replace official information from the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter. Funding conditions, scope and procedures may change along with legislation and administrative practice and may differ from case to case. Only the contract and the participant information are binding for taking part in “Dein Jobweg”.
Whether an AVGS is issued, and to what extent, is decided solely by the responsible adviser. Before making important decisions, check the current requirements with the relevant official sources or consult a qualified professional. Vitavia Akademie does not replace decisions by public authorities or individual legal advice. See also: Impressum and Datenschutz.
Sources
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit – Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein (AVGS)
- Sozialgesetzbuch III (SGB III), § 45 – Maßnahmen zur Aktivierung und beruflichen Eingliederung
- Sozialgesetzbuch II (SGB II), § 16 – Leistungen zur Eingliederung
- Vitavia Akademie UG – Teilnehmerinformation “Dein Jobweg”, version September 2026
- Market prices for coaching based on publicly available provider offers and reviews (2026)
AZAV-certified provider: Vitavia Akademie UG (haftungsbeschränkt), certificate no. W-26-26826, issued by GUTcert GmbH, valid until 13 August 2031.
AZAV-zugelassener Träger
Die Vitavia Akademie UG (haftungsbeschränkt) ist ein nach AZAV zugelassener Träger. Zertifikatsnummer W-26-26826, ausgestellt durch die GUTcert GmbH, gültig bis 13.08.2031.
Zertifikat als PDF ansehen (W-26-26826) Angaben im Impressum