After a 2020 that threatened to end civilization as we know it, I allowed myself to be hopeful for 2021. Sure, Silvester (New Years Eve) was downsized to a quiet night at home (fireworks still blasting outside by people gloriously ignoring regulations) and we were struggling to lead daily Morgenkreis (morning circle) with two kids indefinitely home from KiTa, but COVID vaccinations are slowly (so slowly) beginning to roll out.

I know that things are still bleak as the current lock down seems never-ending. This second period of lock down started in early November and continues to increase in severity and duration, currently set to end February 14th (we’ll see…). The number of infections has also continued to climb and the appearance of the fast-spreading COVID mutation from the UK has sent another shudder through Germany. The new mask requirement sent people scrambling to outfit themselves to fight the virus once again.

COVID-19 vaccination center in Cologne © Raimond Spekking

But – like I said – I had hope. I had spent most of 2020 furloughed from my job on a 0 hour, Kurzarbeit work contract. I was lucky to still have a job as I had been a permanent employee before the pandemic. My husband was not as fortunate on Probezeit  (probation period) and was regretfully laid off. For months, we remained optimistic. We cherished this sudden glut of time to spend with our kids. We spent more time on calls with the grandparents as any chance of a visit evaporated. We cleaned areas of our apartment that hadn’t seen a wet rag in years and tried out new recipes. I wrote.

However, there isn’t enough optimism in the world to escape the reality that the travel industry is going to need years to recover and our jobs might never come back. With heavy hearts, we polished up our CVs, decided on a photo, and began applying for new jobs.

In the first week of January I had 3 second interviews. I thought I took the wrong direction with some questions in the first interview. I was right and was kindly rejected. In the second, I felt an instant kinship with the team lead, just as I had felt with the previous HR interviewer. They swiftly moved me on to an interview with the CEO which also went well and, I was in. By the end of that week I had a generous job offer!

2021 will begin with a new job for me, one of the most obvious signs of transition in a new year. I am looking forward to the challenge, and nervous about moving to the sometimes perilous world of start-ups. On top of the usual issues, there will also be adjustments working remotely with two kids and a husband in the house. We will manage, but it is going to be different. (If you have any tips for working from home during the pandemic I would love to hear them!)

I am also trying to prepare myself for the bureaucracy that accompanies any life change in Germany. It is time to gather the paperwork. Here is an overview of how to look for work and the things to consider when starting a new job in Germany.

Working from home in Germany

Looking for a Job in Germany

When I am a little more removed from the trauma that is applying, interviewing and being rejected that is inherent with searching for work – I should write a full post about applying for work in Berlin. Ruth shared her tip in a previous post that Germans like to hire employees who already have jobs. My biggest takeaway is that looking for the right position is a bit like dating. There were plenty of positions I didn’t get an interview for that surprised me, and interviews where I could tell the hiring manager and I didn’t have the same way of thinking. When I interviewed for the position I got, it just felt like a match. Here is an overview of the process of looking for work in Germany.

As is the case nearly everywhere since the pandemic, unemployment in Germany is at a high point and some industries are at least temporarily shuttered (see you soon, travel industry?). That said, there are career paths that are constantly in demand. These include: doctors, nursing staff, engineers, IT specialists.  Make it in Germany actually has a handy Quick Check quiz to help you determine your likelihood of working in Germany. However, I would be remiss to leave out that I moved to Germany with a suitcase, Bachelor of Arts, and a dream – absolutely no contacts, job, or place to stay – and have made it work. It is a more difficult time than ever, but if you have savings, a little luck and determination it is possible.

Germany is a country of qualifications, so it can be helpful to get your vocational or educational qualifications recognized in Germany. In some cases, particularly in more modern international companies, some of the ways of the past are evaporating and previous experience can replace qualifications. Business is also modestly progressing in that things that used to be mandatory like a Zeugnis (recommendation letter) are less essential. If you are non-EU, it is crucial that you understand the terms of your visa. After years of holding limited visas, I have an Unbefristete Aufenthaltstitel which basically means I can work for any company in any capacity in Germany. It is my very own golden ticket.

As far as where to search, major sites like Indeed are popular in Germany. The Federal Employment Agency website provides job listings. Networking is a vital tool with international LinkedIn and the German-centric Xing. In places like Berlin, start-up positions abound and can be sought out on berlinstartupjobs.com, angel.co, and more.

When you find positions you are interested in, applications are usually made online via the company website. They may ask to link to your LinkedIn and I recommend having an up-to-date and attractive account set to looking for work. It is also a helpful resource in which to network and follow companies which are hiring. In the application stage, it is common to include a brief CV and cover letter. It is becoming increasingly popular for companies to include several behavioral questions specific to the job, in addition to questions about location, visa, and salary.

In the interview process, three stages seem to be the norm (although it can be four or more). I have found that during the pandemic almost everything is done remotely and works quite well through google hangouts or zoom. It is also frequently required that you submit some kind of homework at a certain stage of your application. For example, I was asked to find a candidate to passively recruit on LinkedIn and explain why I selected them, as well as provide a sample contact message. I put an effort into the task as well as the formatting and style and I think that mattered. The final interview is usually with the team or even the CEO to further ascertain culture fit. When looking for a job in Germany, be prepared to spend some time and considerable effort.

Documents Required for a New Job in Germany

Now that I’ve landed the job, I have to get my papers in order. The usual steps when accepting a position is to be given a job offer, negotiate if necessary, then sign a work contract. It is common for there to a 6-month probation period with 2 week notice period so either party can terminate the contract. Once an employee is given an unlimited contract, it is very difficult to be fired.

• Steueridentifikationsnummer (Tax ID)
• Mitgliedsbescheinigung (German health insurance certificate)
• Sozialversicherungsausweis (German social insurance certificate)
• Work visa for Germany if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA member state
• German bank details
• Rote Karte (Red Card) – only needed if handling food in a restaurant, bar, cafe, etc.
• Führungszeugnis (Certificate of Conduct or Police check) – usually needed if working as a teacher or with children

So I will be digging through my desk in the next days to track down all the relevant documents. Let me know if you want more job hunting tips for Germany or have any stories to share about working in Germany. It’s a brand new year!