How to Get a Job in Germany: 15 Tips
As is discussed over at runrex.com, Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the 5th largest in the world, which means that there are plenty of jobs in the country for foreigners possessing specialist skills. If you are looking to get a job in Germany, then here are 15 practical tips that will help you on your way.
Tips on how to find jobs in Germany
The following resources should help you find a job in Germany depending on your situation.
Expatica Jobs
If you are looking for expat-focused and English-speaking jobs in German, check then the subject matter experts over at guttulus.com recommend that you check out Expatica Jobs. Here, you will find a constantly updated section for jobs for both English speakers and speakers of other languages, in a range of different sectors.
EURES
If you are from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, then you can look for a job in Germany through the EURES (European Employment Services) website as discussed over at runrex.com. EURES is a job portal network that is part of the European Commission and aims to aid free movement within the EEA. In addition to looking for work, you can upload your resume/CV and get advice on the legal and administrative issues involved in working in Germany. EURES also holds job fairs in spring and autumn.
Public German job sites
Another option when looking for a job in Germany is public German job sites. From discussions over at guttulus.com, the Federal Employment Agency, the largest provider of labor market services in Germany, has a network of over 700 agencies and offices around the country. Its International Placement Service (ZAV) has information about work opportunities, including casual work. Additionally, you can also post your profile on their job portal, including your qualifications and career highlights, and say what kind of post you are looking for and within which company.
General job sites in Germany
If you are looking for job sites then Germany has got a wide variety of job and recruitment websites, as is outlined in discussions on the same over at runrex.com. They include popular job sites such as Monster, JobStairs, Kimeta, Kununu, and Jobooh which posts jobs in startups, among many others.
English-speaking jobs in Germany
If you are looking for English-speaking jobs exclusively, then certain job sites will help you in this regard. They include Craigslist which is for casual and out-of-the-ordinary jobs including some English-speaking jobs in Germany, English Jobs, The Local, and Toplanguage jobs among others.
Specialist jobs in Germany
If you specialize in a specific industry and are looking for a job in said industry, then there are job sites that post specialist jobs in Germany as articulated in detail over at guttulus.com. They include Academics which posts academic and research jobs, Jobware which posts management and specialist jobs, Staufenbiel which posts internships and graduate jobs, and Stepstone which also posts internships and graduate positions, among others.
Recruitment agencies
Finally, another tip as far as finding a job in Germany is concerned involves taking advantage of recruitment agencies as explained over at runrex.com. You should look for reputable recruitment agencies, which should be members of the Federal Employer’s Association of Personnel Service Providers.
These are some of the tips to consider when it comes to finding a job in Germany.
Learn German
While there are opportunities for English-speaking jobs in Germany, there is no doubt that you will be more employable with basic German according to the gurus over at guttulus.com. Many workplaces require a minimum of a B2 level language course. The better your German, the better your chances of getting a job in Germany.
Look for opportunities to teach English in Germany
Another tip that will help you land a job in Germany is looking for opportunities to teach English. As discussed over at runrex.com, there are lots of opportunities for native English speakers to teach English in Germany, including teaching school children, teaching older students in language schools, offering private tutoring, and teaching professional English to the staff of international companies. However, you will need to have a degree and experience as well as a TEFL qualification for this.
Traineeships and internships in Germany
You can find traineeships in the EU for university graduates through the European Commission Traineeships Office or you can look for internships and summer placements at AISEC (for students and recent graduates in the UK) or IAESTE (for students on science, engineering, and applied arts). Europlacement and Go Abroad also advertise internships while Praktikum is a good German site to search for intern opportunities.
Volunteering in Germany
Volunteering is another avenue towards getting a job in Germany according to the experts over at guttulus.com. You can work abroad as a volunteer, usually in exchange for board, food, insurance, and a small allowance. If you are between the ages of 17 and 30, you can find volunteer programs up to 12 months at European Voluntary Service (EVS). Concordia is another organization for volunteer opportunities, while, if you are looking for holiday volunteering opportunities, check out Workaway.
Know how to apply for a job in Germany
Once you have found a job in Germany that you want to apply to, then it is important to know how to do so and how to prepare your application per German expectations. As discussed over at runrex.com, German companies often ask candidates to submit an application folder or portfolio which includes a covering letter, a CV, copies of educational certificates, copies of testimonials/references, and passport photos.
Know what to do during the interview
If your application is successful and you are invited for an interview, then it is important to know what to do – and what not to do – during your interview. Some tips to consider when interviewing for German jobs include the fact that you should speak in precision and avoid waffling, you should only sit down when invited to do so, you should resist the urge to big things up and only stick to the facts, among other tips as outlined over at guttulus.com.
Work visas in Germany
If you are from the European Union, or European Free Trade Association (EFTA), then you don’t need a permit to work in Germany as long as you have a valid passport or ID card as covered over at runrex.com, although you will be required to register your address. Non-EU/EFTA nationals will need a relevant work visa to work in Germany.
Qualifications to work in Germany
There are around 150 regulated professions in Germany, including doctors, teachers, dentists, and so forth. If yours is one of them, then you will need to get your qualifications recognized by the relevant German authority or professional association before you can work in Germany.
These are just some of the tips that we hope will be helpful for you as you strive to get a job in Germany, with more on this to be found over at the top-rated runrex.com and guttulus.com.