Finding a job in Germany

If you’re looking for a job in Germany, it pays to do your homework and know what to expect, especially since things might work a bit differently here compared to your home country. The following guides will provide some advice and links to help you get some good leads, nail your application, and successfully find a job in Germany. 

Finding a job in Germany

As of August 2024, the unemployment rate in Germany was 3,8%, meaning that many companies are looking abroad to fill vacant positions. Indeed, as of 2022 around 18% of the German population has a foreign passport, and more and more jobs are being offered in English. 

If you are looking for a job in Germany, it's important to find the right position for your skillset and experience. Highly skilled migrants with expertise in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professions are especially sought-after in Germany. 

Job listings in Germany

If you're searching for a job in Germany, try the following tips to find relevant job listings from companies looking to hire international workers:

• Check a job search website that specialises in international jobs, such as IamExpat Jobs or the Make it in Germany website
• Attend job fairs and congresses to network
• Check the Federal Employment Agency website
• Check large job search websites like Indeed, Monster and Stepstone
• Check vacancies listed on business social media networks like LinkedIn and Xing
• Check the vacancies pages of specific companies in Germany 
• Contact a recruitment agency that specialises in international talent (see below)

What does m/w/d mean on German job listings?

While you're browsing job listings in Germany, you might see the term "m/w/d". This is an abbreviation of "männlich, weiblich oder divers" (male, female or diverse), and indicates that the job offer is open to people of all genders.

You might see it abbreviated differently, for example:

• m/w/i (männlich/weiblich/intersexuell)
• m/w/i/t (männlich/weiblich/intersexuell/transsexuell)
• m/w/a (männlich/weiblich/anders)

M/w/d is used because, according to the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) employers are not allowed to discriminate against job applicants on the basis of their gender. However, the gendering of German nouns and the standardised use of the masculine version of the noun as the "norm" (e.g. der Arzt rather than die Ärztin) could suggest that the job is only open to men. Employers therefore use m/w/d to ensure that their job advertisements are legally compliant in all respects - although there is no obligation to do so. 

Putting together a job application in Germany

To get your job search off on the right foot, it's important to put together a solid application that meets the expectations of hiring managers in Germany. The pages below offer some tips to help you with this. 

Recruitment agencies in Germany

Finding a job can sometimes be challenging if you don’t speak the language. Luckily, there are many recruitment agencies in Germany that cater specifically to expats and are specialised in matching international candidates to open vacancies in the federal republic. A recruiter can also offer you tailored advice on careers in Germany, CV analysis and help with interview preparation. 

How to write a CV (Lebenslauf) in Germany

The first step to any job application is having a professional-looking, up-to-date CV. This is the most important tool in your kit for marketing yourself, making you stand out from the competition and increasing your chances of getting hired. 

CVs in Germany are generally formatted in the same style and tend to be simple “fact sheets” that list your skills and experience without any embellishment or flowery language. Make sure yours is right for the German job market by following the steps in our CV guide. 

How to write a German cover letter (Anschreiben)

No job application is complete without a well-crafted cover letter. As in other parts of the world, cover letters in Germany are relatively short documents that outline why you are applying for the role and what makes you a good fit. While the CV lists your skills, your cover letter should convey more personality. Give yourself a good chance of landing an interview with our guide to writing a cover letter in Germany. 

Job interview questions & answers in Germany

All being well, your CV and cover letter will do the trick and you’ll get invited to a job interview - an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. Make sure you present the best version of yourself by preparing thoroughly for your interview in advance. 

Do some research on the company and think about how you will answer some of the most common interview questions. We walk you through the preparation process in our guide to interview questions and answers in Germany. As the old saying goes: preparation is the key to success. 

German job market

While you are searching for jobs, it's also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the job market and working environment in Germany, so you know what to expect when your application progresses. There are some key things to know about working in Germany, including: 

• What to expect in terms of salary, depending on your field and experience
• How to read your payslip
• What to look out for in a work contract
• What normal working hours in Germany are like
• How to take time off in Germany
• What to do if you are faced with a workplace conflict or would like to leave your job

Career coaches

If you are struggling with your job search, you might consider working with an English-speaking career coach. They can look over your application documents and the kinds of jobs you are applying for and pinpoint areas for improvement, as well as offering general advice on transitioning to the German job market.