How to find a job in Germany
Germany is one of Europe's best countries to develop your career and gain international work experience. On the one hand, Germany's unemployment rate is among the lowest in Europe (3.2% in 2024). On the other hand, certain German companies are short of highly qualified workers, meaning that there are opportunities for international talent to enter the German labor market in specific regions of the country.
According to the Federal Government, the sectors hiring the most people are technology, sciences, engineering, and healthcare. Namely, there's a lack of workers in elderly care, nursing, tunnel construction, and software development. In this article, we will discuss the avenues and approaches one may take to work in Germany.
Good to know:
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Qualifying for a job in Germany
Depending on your country of origin, work experience, field of expertise, and education, your chances of finding a job in Germany are lower or higher. Also, the eligibility requirements for working in Germany are different for EU and EEA citizens compared to non-EU nationals. Thus, you should take into consideration the prospect of your career continuing in Germany before starting to look for jobs in the country.
In the useful links section below, we provide several links to official job search platforms, as suggested by the Federal Government. In some portals or apps, besides navigating the existing job offers, you can also upload your professional profile so that German companies can find you and contact you directly if your profile matches their requirements. Often, the job descriptions are in German, but this doesn't necessarily mean that German fluency is required for the job.
Good to know:
If you apply for a job in your country, you can count on having a phone or Skype call from the recruiters. The interview process lasts a few weeks, and in some cases, larger companies might even provide you with a flight ticket for a personal interview.
Consult local papers and leading professional magazines in your sector online and offline. Nearly every area of expertise has at least one Fachmagazin, which also tends to publish related job openings.
Useful links:
The Federal Government job listings
Federal Employment Agency job board
European Commission job portal
Foreign qualifications in Germany
If you find a job in Germany in a regulated profession (e.g., doctor, lawyer, veterinarian, dentist, paramedic, chartered accountant, social worker, aviator, solicitor, etc.), you will need your foreign academic qualification to be officially recognized in Germany. For citizens of a third country, a certificate of official recognition is required even for higher education qualifications that do not lead to a regulated profession (e.g., mathematician, economist, etc.). Without a certificate of official recognition, it will be impossible to obtain a residence permit in Germany.
Good to know:
Regardless of whether recognition is required for visa or employment purposes, it may be useful to obtain a Statement of Comparability — an official document issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in Bonn, comparing completed foreign academic qualifications with the equivalent level of German academic qualifications. Note that the Statement of Comparability should not be confused with the certificate of official recognition.
Useful links:
Anabin database (German) to evaluate foreign educational qualifications
Job hunting in Germany
Send unsolicited applications
If you have some German companies in mind that are of interest to you, don't hesitate to reach out to them directly with a letter of interest and your CV, even if there are no current vacancies. In the German labor market, it is pretty common to send an Initiativbewerbung (unsolicited application). However, remember to check for job openings on the corporate website of your target company before preparing your CV and cover letter — a relevant job opening may already exist! The advertisements may be in German and posted by the names Stellenangebote, Karriere, or Jobs. Note that one of the most important steps is to adjust your curriculum to the German format, including a professional photograph, nationality, and age, which is not required and is even considered against the work ethics in other countries. In some cases, for example, in hospitality and retail, it is quite common to ask for availability in person and leave your CV with the shop manager, secretary, or reception. Make sure that you also include a recommendation from your previous jobs, which might bring additional attention to your application.
Networking
Moreover, there are about 335 job fairs in 2024 in Germany. Find out at which job fairs or professional events in Germany your target companies will be attending and ask for an appointment in advance to meet them. In Germany, it is common to prepare a Bewerbungsmappe, a folder containing your CV, cover letter, copies of your qualifications, and other educational certificates. If you can prepare this documentation in German, you will have a better chance of getting noticed.
Besides visiting fairs, communicating with professionals from your field might be an excellent way to find a job opportunity. You can ask your colleagues to recommend some people in Germany who are looking for new talent. If you have worked (or are still working) for a large multinational company in your home country or another country, you can check for opportunities in the branch in Germany. Such a transfer will surely boost your international career and help you out with the visa process, as it offers the opportunity for an Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT).
Good to know:
Don't underestimate your immediate circle inside or outside Germany. Be open to friends and relatives about your job search, as they are also part of your network and can surprisingly know about some opportunities or offer advice on the next steps.
German local agencies
German residents can register as job seekers with the local Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) to access job listings (mainly in German) and benefit from employment counselors' advice. In some cases, depending on your CV and motivation, a counselor may put you forward for training programs, which the agency will fund. Also, the agency offers support in the event of redundancy. For example, if you have completed two years of formal employment, the agency will support you with benefits for approximately one year, including health insurance expenses. Meanwhile, the agency will also help you apply for new jobs and make sure that you remain motivated when you receive the benefits. In principle, the agency's goal is for job seekers to enter the German labor market as soon as possible.
Useful links:
Arbeitsamt - German Employment Agency
Resume for German employers
Each country has different standards and requirements concerning the job application pack. Hence, it is very important to adapt your resume and cover letter to comply with the German model. Also, consider getting a free CV review at TopCV.
In most cases, it's sufficient to send a German CV (often English is also acceptable) and a cover letter for the first selection process. However, some companies may still prefer a Bewerbungsmappe (application folder) containing:
- a German CV (Lebenslauf), which should not exceed two pages and must include several important sections, such as:
- personal information, including name, date of birth, address and contact details, and nationality;
- professional experience listing all relevant positions;
- education and professional qualifications;
- miscellaneous knowledge and training, such as language and IT skills;
- personal interests and hobbies;
- a cover letter to complement your CV and highlight your personal and professional experiences and achievements relevant to the specific job opening. The cover letter should be concise and include specific details for that particular position.
- copies of your university degrees, diplomas, and proof of further education;
- any employment certificates and proof of apprenticeships you may have completed;
- a copy of your driver's license (not always the case), and
- a cover sheet for your application folder.
Good to know:
When creating your byline or wanting to describe your level of experience, you should know that there are three distinct groups of professionals within the German labor market. Skilled professionals are those who have a minimum of two years' training; specialists have technician's training, and experts have completed a four-year university degree or more.
Important:
If you need a visa to work in Germany, don't avoid mentioning it during your first interactions with HR or your employer, as such knowledge will save you both time. Many recruiters are specifically looking for candidates who already have the right to work in Germany because they don't have the capacity, time, or willingness to deal with visa arrangements. On the other hand, some recruiters appreciate international talent and are looking for diversity.
