Rejections, heartbreak, anxiety... No, I am not talking about the Germans' love
life - but rather the German job market. Meet the Germans is job-hunting
today and it's no easy nut to crack. So, let's get down to business. Ever since the government relaxed
the rules for working in Germany, the internet has been awash with questions. From the inside, it does look like
a lot of people want to work here. And jobs in Germany are indeed up for grabs! In 2023, there were about 700,000 jobs advertised.
For 2024, the authority expects similar numbers. But where do Germans find jobs? The government has its own employment
agency in Nuremberg which I just happened to walk past one fine day .
*fake cough* work trip *fake cough* This is the headquarters of
Germany's Bundesagentur für Arbeit or the Federal Employment Agency. If you need any guidance related to working in Germany or even childcare or unemployment
benefits, this is whom you must contact. And they have regional offices in most
cities, and their services are free of cost. Like everywhere else in the
world, some specialized jobs, like those in engineering, health, law and
education, require specific qualifications. With the recent changes, Germany
has lowered its requirements for jobs in lesser-manned fields like
IT, healthcare, or transport. Germany wants to attract skilled workers
not only domestically, but also from abroad. My colleague Johanna Rüdiger has been breaking down the important bits on
her social media ever since. So, Johanna, we all know about the new
changes coming in the German job market. But what are these changes actually,
what does it actually mean? There are a lot of changes
- here are the big ones. First of all, you can now come to
Germany if you have at least two years of professional experience.
And a university or vocational degree recognized by your home country.
And here is the important bit: Your qualification no longer has to be recognized by Germany.
Which means: Yes, less bureaucracy! And the new law allows dual nationality, which
is very important for many of my followers, because yes, they want to get this, but they also
don’t want to give up their home country passport. Germany and the Germans can benefit so much
from international people coming here and working together with them. Not just because
Germany needs these skilled workers to come here and work, but also Germans can really
profit from having international colleagues. Job applications differ among various sectors,
but I think some basics apply in most cases. Step 1: Research and preparation. Before you go on an application spree, check if
you really meet the requirements. Tailor your application accordingly and highlight
the skills that make you stand out. Step 2: The application. Sometimes, German employers like to put a
face to the application, and often jobseekers don't add a photo to their resume. This isn't
mandatory but you could add a date, place and signature at the end of your cover letter. This
shows that you know how things work in Germany. Otherwise, you could play
it safe with a Europass CV. This is a pretty basic format accepted within the
European Union that deletes unnecessary fluff. Europass or not, the key is to
keep your resume to two pages, organized in bullet points, and brief sentences. Also, nobody wants to know all
about your side hustles in school, that have no connection to the job.
Use the space instead to prove your suitability and passion. Remember,
Germans dislike beating around the bush! The last lap. If you have made it through to the
interview, you deserve a pat on your back. If your employer requires you
to speak German or any other language, you will be asked to switch to that language.
During an interview, I was asked to describe my lunch in German, which wasn't very hard, but it
can take you by surprise if you aren't prepared. FYI, before you start working in Germany,
you may need to get your academic degrees and qualifications verified by the German authorities.
But if you have secured a job in one of the understaffed sectors, then the
new law lets you skip this step. My tip from experience?
If you are a student, look out for job fairs where experts
can help you improve your resume. Don't shy away from being a bit
creative in your cover letter. Convince the employer with concrete examples of your skills, not flowery language.
I learned this lesson the hard way. Are you looking for a job in Germany? Which part of the process would you like to know
more about? Ask away in the comments! Employed. Unemployed. Employed.
Unemployed. Employed. Unemployed. Employed. Unemployed. Employed. Unemployed ...
