If you are looking for a job in Germany, then using a professional social network would be one of the most efficient strategies to achieve your goal. Two of the most popular of these networks are LinkedIn and Xing. At the first sight, both of them seem almost identical, since they both offer extended job markets and the opportunity to connect with employers directly.
However, a closer look will show that there are certain differences in how these networks can be used. So, which one should you choose to speed up the process of getting a job in Germany? Here are the top three differences to think about.
Although LinkedIn is way bigger in terms of global presence (it has 660 million users compared to the 17 million Xing users), the number of active users in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) speaks in favour of Xing. LinkedIn only has 14 million users here, compared to Xing's 17 million.
This means that if you're targeting international companies or those which hire English-speaking professionals, LinkedIn should be your first choice. However, if you would like to work for a local German company, your chances are higher if you make use of Xing.
Before making a decision, however, it is also important to note that, in the last two years, LinkedIn has made huge leaps in developing business in the German-speaking market, even going offline to attract new members. If this aggressive strategy continues, it is possible that the Microsoft-owned network will beat its German “twin” and even take over in the DACH region.
A giant operating power worldwide, LinkedIn focuses on the international community. Xing, on the other hand, targets local communities, for instancce by presenting “Xing events” for experts from different fields. This therefore brings about different networking tactics for users of both LinkedIn and Xing.
If you are already in Germany and are comfortable with face-to-face networking, then Xing would be a great source for finding real-life business-related events, where you can meet potential colleagues and educate yourself on topics you find interesting.
If you are looking for a global or EMEA-focused role, however, LinkedIn provides better opportunities to connect with the right decision makers.
Recruiters have various search strategies when it comes to finding interesting candidates, based on how the filters in each system work. This includes aspects like main keywords, languages, city and so on.
For example, on LinkedIn the focus is on bigger cities, which is absolutely logical. Since LinkedIn users target, it would make sense to indicate your closest big city, rather than the small village or town you live in. On Xing, however, the opportunities are more concentrated on the actual place, which can be as detailed as a postal code.
There is also a difference when it comes to keywords: Xing is sourced mainly using the German language, while on LinkedIn, the absolute majority of recruiters would use English terms.
As you can see, both Xing and LinkedIn each have their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your goal. To choose one, it is therefore important to first define this goal as well as the audience you want to target. This will enable you to make a smart and well-informed choice, which will speed up the process of finding a job.