4 things you should know about the German job market

Are you thinking of relocating to Germany or have just moved there? Then one of the first issues you will have to deal with is finding a job. This task can be stressful and time-consuming, although Germany does offer lots of job opportunities, especially compared to other European countries . However, the German labour market also has its own special characteristics that may surprise you. Let's take a closer look.

What is the labour market like in Germany?

Photo by Hunters Race From Unsplash

The German labour market has coped rather well with the economic tensions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. Its unemployment rate of 5.4% in 2022 makes Germany one of Europe's labour market champions. This compares with 7.4% in France, 9.2% in Italy and 13.3% in Spain. As a result, finding work may be a bit easier in Germany than in many other European countries.

Another thing you may be interested to know is that the average salary in Germany is significantly higher than in its European neighbours. In 2020, the average gross annual salary in Germany was around 47,400 euros, compared to 40,100 euros in France and 33,300 euros in Italy and Spain.

Of course, the wage landscape is not the same everywhere in Germany. You are better off living in Hamburg if you want to earn a high salary than in the Mecklenburg Vorpommern region. The average annual salary in the northern German city reaches almost 60,000 euros, while in the former East German region it is around 40,500 euros.

Where and how should you look for a job?

Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash 

Now that you know a little more about the labour market situation in Germany, it's time to get out there and start looking for a job.

One of the most obvious ways to find a job is to use social networks dedicated to the professional world, as they offer efficient search engines for your job search. Creating a Linkedin account is one of the best ways to search for a job in Germany. Once you have created your account and completed your profile, you can easily go to the job section of the site and start your search. There are several options available to you. You can try searching for a job by language by entering your mother tongue in the search bar, which will show you all the jobs for which the use of this language is required, but you can of course also try searching by title or by skill.

Tip: don't hesitate to search by typing the word you are looking for once in German and then in English: this will give you access to more results. When looking to hire people for positions where German is not essential, many companies post their ads in English.

Of course, there are other alternatives when looking for a job in Germany. There are many job advertisements on the websites of the various Arbeitsamt of the country, although few of them are suitable for foreign workers. Also, do not hesitate to let your friends know that you are looking for a job and keep an eye on expat Facebook groups. Who knows, someone around you may have heard of something and solidarity among expats should never be underestimated.

You should also be aware that Germany, and Berlin in particular, stands out for its lively start-up scene. The city was recently praised as the most attractive city in the world for start-ups.

Get ready for a long application process

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash 

So now you've found an offer that interests you. It's time to get into the thick of it and apply for the job.

Most German companies will ask you to send them an up-to-date CV and a cover letter. One of the peculiarities of Germany, compared to other countries like France, is that your CV can be longer than one page. Still, make sure you keep it to one and a half to two pages.

Your CV has caught the eye of one of the human resources staff of your target company. Great! Now it’s time for the job interviews. Be advised, you might be in for a marathon. In many companies, especially in startups, it is not uncommon for the recruitment process to involve up to five stages. An interview with a recruiter, then another with your potential future manager. Then there is usually an assignment related to the job you are applying for, followed by an interview with members of your potential future team and sometimes also an interview with one of the founders of the company depending on the position.

This usually happens in startups in Berlin, where many of the employees are not German, but the recruitment process can of course be shorter in more traditional companies, even though you’ll usually always have to go through at least two to three steps.

What should I do now that I have found a job?

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash 

Congratulations! You've found a job. Whether it's your dream job or not, it's time to think about the next step: how to protect yourself. As you may know, Germans love insurance and offer it for just about everything. The world of work is no exception.

Many insurance companies offer specialised legal insurance for employees. Taking out such insurance gives you access to a lawyer who specialises in employment law. Should you run into problems at your company, they can help you assert your rights. These usually cost from around 15 euros per month. Of course you never want to think about this kind of situation when you start a new job, but it is sometimes better to be safe than sorry.

Sure, looking for a job when you have just arrived in a new country can seem like an obstacle course. But the German market, although it has its own specificities, is still rather open and it is often less complicated to find work in the country than elsewhere in Europe. So get your CVs and cover letters ready and good luck to you all!