How to find work in Germany

You probably landed on this website because you plan to work in Germany, and are now seeking a job. However you might already have realised that you have to overcome a few obstacles on your way to the payroll of a German company. These obstacles are generally twofold; first of all your job opportunities depend largely on your personal German skills and secondly they depend on the vocational education and training (VET) you obtained in your country. In order to help you understand why the latter matters so much, here is how the German VET system works:

After their graduation from school, German graduates either attend university or start their professional career with an apprenticeship. Depending on the chosen profession, the apprenticeship takes two, three, or three-and-a-half years. During this time the apprentices are taught all the theoretical and practical skills required in the profession they have chosen for their future career.

After being employed as an apprentice by a company, the apprentices attend vocational school (Berufsschule) twice a week; the remaining days are spent working at their company. After successfully passing the vocational school exams as well as the final exams organised by the chamber of commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer – IHK), the apprentice receives a certificate and is ready for a professional career up to a low management level.

Please note: In most fields of the German economy these certificates are absolutely necessary in order to get a job other than unskilled labour!

However, if you do speak German and have successfully completed a vocational education or graduated from university you have a chance to get a job in Germany if you follow three simple rules:

1 .) Get a German language certificate if you don’t have one yet. Please visit the website of the Goethe Institut to learn about the options available.

2.) Get a certificate of approval of your university degree or your tradesman’s certificate. In order to do so please contact the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in your country. They will provide you with all necessary information.

3.) Write yourself a neat German CV and apply for the jobs you like. If you are a citizen of a country belonging to the EU or the EEA you can also approach your local EURES network consultant for help.

We hope we could help you and wish you good luck.