How to find a job in Germany ?
How to find a job in Germany
Germany has the largest economy in Europe and is also the fifth-largest economic country in the World. So there are plenty of jobs in Germany. In this article, we will show how to find a job in Germany.
Job Market in Germany
Germany has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. According to the German Federal Institution for Population Research, a third of non-EU migrants found work within 12 months in 2010/11, although this situation has changed following Germany’s refugee influx since 2015 and with the 2020 covid crisis. But if you are well qualified and have some basic knowledge of the German language, then there are higher chances to find a perfect job in Germany. According to Germany’s Federal Employment Agency, the country needs over 400,000 skilled migrants to arrive every year to feed its demand for labor. There are some reasons for this demand including an aging population.
Job Vacancies in Germany
Germany has low levels of unemployment and is not as affected by skills shortages as some other parts of Europe. Although, experienced workers in the field of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), and health occupations are in short supply, especially in southern and eastern Germany. There are 573,000 job vacancies are available in Germany, according to July 2020 statistics. But this has reduced from nearly 800,000 a year ago.
Apply for a job as a student
Many students find it necessary to do some part-time work alongside their university courses. It’s essential for students in Germany to find a flexible part-time job so that they bear their expenses in Germany. Most importantly, students are allowed to do a part-time job only for 20 hours a week before they need to make payments to Germany’s Social Security fund. There are different rules between EU and European Economic Area students and those coming from the rest of the world. If you are a student from outside the EU/EEA, you can work 120 full days or 240 half days every year.
1. Visit the University job center
This is the easiest way to find a part-time job in Germany. They always look for university students. But you should always keep in mind that this type of work is temporary and has high turnover rates. Common student jobs available include filing documents in an office or providing extra help on days when a store is extraordinarily busy. The university notice board is also a good place to find a job but sometimes it won’t be as up to date. You should always check your university’s online resources which aggregate as many local openings as possible. There are also some sites that provide information about English language jobs, for example,child-minding or tutoring.
2. Create a good CV
Before looking for employment websites, you should spend a few hours creating a killer resume. You’ll have to choose whether you want to use German or English here. If you write everything in German, you may get more attention from employers, but they will expect you to be a fluent speaker. If you are not confident about it, stick to English on your CV, and apply for jobs that suit you.
3. Working at your university
In some cases, international students are able to work with their university. This is also a good way to earn money while gaining experience and being close to the library. Student posts are always available on departmental noticeboards and maybe also available at the International Office. They include many positions, for example, research and teaching positions, lab support, or tasks as routine as stacking bookshelves, etc.
4. Be ready for interviews
German employers prefer to take interviews before making a decision. So students have to prepare themselves very well. In interviews, try to avoid critical language and don’t talk more than you need to. Always explain your work experience and degree confidently. It will help to make you a suitable candidate. In addition, answer all the questions directly and in a friendly manner.
Apply for a job as a foreigner
If you are a newcomer in Germany and looking for a job, it can be difficult sometimes if you are restricted to English-speaking jobs. No worries, in this article you will get to know about how to apply for a job in Germany.
1. Apply for a Visa:
Citizens from EU countries, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland do not require a visa to apply for a job in Germany. If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea New Zealand, or the USA, then you can enter Germany without a visa and can remain for up to three months.
Citizens who are coming from other countries require a visa. You have to apply for one when you have a contract of employment in Germany. Make an appointment at the German Embassy in your country and then inform your employer that it can take some time. If you have a higher education qualification that is recognized in Germany, you can get a six-month visa to apply for a job.
2. Get a Health Insurance:
According to the law, everyone needs to have health insurance in Germany. It helps to cover medical charges when needed. It is really important to have health insurance and apply for it as soon as possible.
3. Write a good CV:
If you want to find a good job in any country, first you have to create a resume with a cover letter. Good resumes look alike no matter the country. Your German resume only needs to account for a few regional specifics. Learn how to write a proper CV.
4. Write a Letter of Application:
Make sure that you write a clear structured cover letter. It should be clear, informative. Try to avoid how much do you need that job or how much you want to live in Germany.
Tips for a German specific resume: Keep in mind some tips to make a good resume:
- Keep your resume clear and simple.
- Make your CV highly informative and try to avoid fancy or elaborate sentences.
- Describe your previous work experience (if any) and the most impressive things that you have accomplished in your previous job.
- Show the employer your previous international if you have. It helps employers to think that you have no problem adapting to life and work in new cultures.
- Include your personal info for example, your address, date of birth, nationality, or marital status.
- Add your professional passport size photograph in the top right corner of your resume.
- Attach other documents such as diploma certificate, references, or certificates.
5. Be smart at your interviews
Always arrive at your interview early. Make sure that you wear formal attire. Do a little research on that company and how much one earns based on your experience in your job, so if the employer asks you questions on these topics, you can answer them. Remember one thing, be confident and look into their eyes.
6. Always keep your documents with you
The documents you need when you apply for a job are:
- Your diploma recognized document.
- Your tax identification number.
- Your health insurance document.
- Your German bank account details.
- Your Police Clearance Certificate which is known as Bürgeramt, if you want to work as an ethical hacker or in a kindergarten.
Job websites: Some popular job websites in Germany are as follows:
In a nutshell to make sure that your job search in Germany closes with an offer, add some extra polish to your application. You can not start job hunting in Germany instantly but, the route to employment is clear. You should always have a little plan and patience, it’s not a difficult road to follow.