25th of November 2020 ZAV International and Specialized Services

"How do I find a job in Germany?

Tips on applying and job search"
Shirin Wummel & Jeannette von Zelewski

8198/ 8405/ 8450

 ZAV International and Specialized Services

OnlineWorkshop
1.Working and Living in Germany
2. Successfull Application
Module I: “Working and Living in Germany”
Germany and the German labour market
Need for skilled workers in Germany
Visa regulations
Wages, taxes, and social benefit programs
Recognition of international professional qualifications

Module II: (this module changes every month")

09.12.2020 „Visa for Germany“
13.01.2021 „Recognition in Germany“
10.02.2021 „Successful Application in Germany“
10.03.2021 „Learning German“
Migration Support Center (ZAV)
Locations of the Migration Services
Make it in Germany –
Migration Support Center
(MSC)
(4 Teams in Bonn)
Incoming
Information and advice
Outgoing (2 Teams in Bonn)
Information and advice
International Placement
Services (IPS)
(10 decentralized Teams)
Incoming

Skilled workers: Targeted

mobility schemes information,
advice, recruitment

Vocational Training: Information,

advice, recruitment
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 3
Migration Support Center (ZAV)
Who we support

Jobseekers from abroad

German returnee

German employers

recruiting advice on CV chances on the relocation with

activities and application labour market your family
where to learn recognition social security advice on visa and
german of degrees and tax system resident status

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 4
Germany in the heart of Europe

Germany
82.7 m people
357,112 km²
231 people per km²
Ranked 20th in the worldwide
population index

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 5
Germany

 Capital: Berlin

 16 federal states

 Fun Facts
 Over 300 types of
bread
 1/3 forest area
 65% motorways
without speed limit
 More than 2100
castles

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 6
A few impressions

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 7
German labour market

Good economic climate

 Unemployment rate Germany: 4,4 %

(one of the lowest rates in the EU)

 Unemployment rate EU: 6,7 %

 Unemployment rate for young people between

the age of 15 and 25, Germany: 5,7%
(second lowest rate in the EU)

 Unemployment rate for young people between

the age of 15 and 25, EU 16,8%

(Statistics, Eurostat, 06/2020, www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat)

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 8
Professions in demand in Germany

Germany is mainly looking for …

 Engineers and IT Specialists

 Nurses and caretakers, physiotherapists

 Doctors

 Hotel and hospitality worker, e. g. waiters, cooks

 Skilled technical professionals, e.g. metalworkers,

electricians and professionals for construction

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 9
Engineers and IT specialists

Engineers in different fields of expertise:

 Aerospace, automobile, naval engineering

 automation engineering, electronics engineering

IT-Expert & Computer Scientists - different fields of expertise:

 software development and programming, e.g. database developer, web developer, software
architects; system developer, software engineers

 application developer or adviser

 engineer informatics, software tester, data scientists, data/system analysts

 robotics – autonomous systems

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 10
 Fachkräfteradar IT

 In the South: less than 2 applicants per vacancy

 Bavaria: approx. 1,7

 In the West: less than 4 applicants per vacancy

 Nordrhine-Westfalia: approx. 3,1

 In the North: less than 4 applicants per vacancy

 Lower Saxony: approx. 2,4

 In the East: less than 4 applicants per vacancy

(except Berlin)

 Brandenburg: approx. 2,7

 Berlin: approx. 6,8

.
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 11
 Fachkräfteradar Health Care

 In the South: less than 2 applicants per vacancy

 Bavaria: approx. 0,8

 In the West: less than 2 applicants per vacancy

 Nordrhine-Westfalia: approx. 1,6

 In the North: less than 2 applicants per vacancy

 Lower Saxony: approx. 1,2

 In the East: less than 2 applicants per vacancy

(except Berlin)

 Brandenburg: approx. 0,9

 Berlin: approx. 3,9

.
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 12
 Fachkräfteradar HoGa (Hotel and Gastronomy)

 In the South: less than 4 applicants per vacancy

 Bavaria: approx. 2,8

 In the West: less than 6 applicants per vacancy

 Nordrhine-Westfalia: approx. 5,2

 In the North: less than 4 applicants per vacancy

 Lower Saxony: approx. 3,2

 In the East: less than 4 applicants per vacancy

(except Berlin)

 Brandenburg: approx. 2,7

 Berlin: approx. 14,8

.
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 13
Requirements for most professions

 Successfully completed degree

 Good/excellent German skills

(B1/B2-Level – intermediate level)

 Often English skills

 Relevant current work experience

 Strong motivation

 Ability for teamwork

 Willingness to acquire new skills

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 14
Advantages of working and living in Germany

Social Security System Germany has one of the most comprehensive welfare
systems.

Free Education General education is free up to university level (fee for

enrolment and semester fees of 100 to 300 Euros).

Vacation per Anum 4 weeks minimum plus public holidays e.g. Easter Monday,
Christmas Days and New Year`s Day.

Good traffic system Availabilty of buses, trains, trams, underground trains,

interregional and intercity trains and motorways connecting
cities and suburbs.

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 15
What will you earn?

 Significant regional wage differences (east-west/north-south)

 Statutory minimum wage in Germany: 9,35 €/p.h.,(health care: 10,85€/p.h.)

 In Germany the stated salary is usually gross salary –

net salary is less!

Here you can check your salary:

 https://entgeltatlas.arbeitsagentur.de
 www.berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de
 www.lohnspiegel.de
 www.gehalts-check.de

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 16
Gross and net salary

Gross salary

Income tax 14% to 42%

(Church tax) 8% to 9% of income tax

Solidarity surcharge 5.5% of income tax

Social security contributions

Net salary

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 17
Online Job Search on Jobbörse

Select language
Register/log in

Quick search/
Advanced search

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 18
About the Jobbörse

• The Jobbörse hosts all vacancies

that are announced to the Federal
Employment Agency
• More than 1.600.000 vacancies
• 330.000 of them are vocational
trainings

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 19
Jobbörse
- different languages

Go to „Sprache“ and choose one of seven possible languages:

1. german

2. english
3. spanish
4. frensh

5. italian
6. russian
7. turkish

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 20
Jobbörse
home website

This is your home website:

• Personal information
• CV
• Skills
• Job Application

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 21
Slide: „My personal information“
- options

Options:
1. Personal information
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Skills
(knowledge, language and soft skills
marked with 1-3 stars
4. Documents such as application picture,
CV and Diplomas
5. Records

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 22
Slide: „Personal information“
- professional skills

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 23
Slide: „Job search“
- search criteria

• The professions are listed in German, e.g. software developer: Softwareentwickler

• See what happens if

you enter the keyword:
*looking


www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 24
Example of a vacancy

▬ Information about the company / attraction

▬ Description of your task / worklife

▬ Requirements/Skills (Mandatory and „Nice-to-have“)

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 25
Example of a vacancy

 80% of the requirements met: good candidate for the position

 Difference between „Must haves“ and „Nice-to-have“ skills:

 the first skills are mandatory / more below listed skills: not that important

 Adapt key words from the vacancy to your motiviation letter (and give examples)

 Pay attention to the prefered way of application and the application periode (deadline)

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 26
The Content

I. Motivation letter

II. CV

III. Job interview

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 27
Our goal

Our goal today is that you:

• understand the structure of a German motivation letter and a CV

• are able to create an application properly

• are able to prepare yourself for a job interview

• and to present yourself the best

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 28
The process of applying in Germany

Application folder Investigation about Good presentation

I. Motivation letter the company and at the job interview
II. CV about the job
III. Annexes

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 29
I. The German motivation letter

.
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 30
The German motivation letter

• Address (your/company)

• Place, date

• Reason for the Letter, maybe with

reference no. of the vacancy

• Name the person in charge

• Where did you find the vacancy?

Why this job?

• What qualifies you for it?

Why should it be you?

• Why this particular company?

• Closing paragraph with request for

an invitation

• Closing: „Kind regards“,

full name typed, signature

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 31
Checklist for the motivation letter

Addreses and names are right

Current date and signature

Right reference no. of the vacancy

You adapted words from the advertisement into your

motivation letter

Right grammar and format is aligned

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 32
II. The German CV

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 33
Curriculum Vitae: classic structure

• Personal Data, picture

• Your actual / recent activity

• Work experience

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 34
Curriculum Vitae: classic structure

• Education

• Social engagement

• Language skills

• Special knowledge according to the job

• Signature
(at least a good scan)
.
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 35
Checklist for the CV

Only 2–3 pages long! Homogeneous font

and font size

Correct personal data

Correct grammar

Your contact as headline

Correct dates

Homogeneous time
specification (month/year), Your signature
e.g. 10/2013…

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 36
Do not….

• No summary. Your summary is already included in the motivation letter

• Don´t write long texts. Precise bullet points are the best

• You don`t have to mention religion or party affiliation

• Don`t make it too colorful

• Don`t use email addresses that sounds suspect

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 37
The German application photo

• Colored or black and white photo

• Choose a business look (women: female suit with blouse and maybe a scarf; men:
jacket, shirt and tie)

• Sharp contrast between your face and the background

• Avoid light disturbances or reflections

• Instead of a full-screen view choose to pose gently sideways

Last but not least: Smile!

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 38
Application picture: good and bad example

Which photo would you pick for the application?

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 39
III. The Job Interview

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 40
 Preparation of the interview

• Plan the trip with a good time cushon

• What is the common salary in that branch?
• Study the company´s website: What is their focus?
• What are the actual upcoming events in that company?
• Look for company brochures or reports e.g. in trade journals
• Ask people you know who work in the company

Ask yourself: How could your day to day work look like?

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 41
Preparation of the interview

• Plan the trip

• Prepare adequate clothes

• Work out your selfpresentation and practise interviewing

• Analyze the job description

• Research the company: Website or social media acounts, maybe blogs, brochures or reports e.g. in
trade journals

• Consider your answers to common interview questions / prepare own

questions

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 42
Now you can answer the following questions:

Salary in that sector

Company name + legal form (for example GmbH, AG) and core business

Company history, corporate philosophy, social commitment

Locations / sectors

Number of employees

Upcoming events…

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 43
Possible questions at an interview

Company related questions:

• What do you know about

the company?

• Where did you get the

information about us?

• Do you have any idea what

your work could look like?

But also…
Be prepared for personal questions

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 44
Possible questions at an interview

Personal questions:

• Why did you study the subjects

you studied?

• Where do you see yourself in

5 years?

• Are you able to work under pressure?

• What are the 3 main characteristics

about your personality?

• Why do you want to work in Germany?

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 45
The job interview

Good to take with you …

Your invitation, with name and Documents which are

number of your contact person requested by the company

The description of the vacancy

(read it before the interview) List of your questions

Travel documents with a map

and directions Note and pen

Copy of your application Cell phone (mute modus)

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 46
Questions that are NOT allowed to be asked by the employer

• Pregnancy, wishing for a baby

• Marriage

• Questions about health e.g.chronic diseases

• Your financial circumstances

• Religion

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 47
The Telephone Interview

• Make an appointment for the interview

• Find a suitable and quiet location

• Make sure your cell phone is charged

• Have your CV in front of you

• Ask prepared questions

• Be prepared to speak German on the phone

Remember: your voice is your friend!

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 48
OnlineWorkshop

ZAV/ OnlineWorkshop
Every month on the second Wednesday of the month

Module I: “Working and Living in Germany” Module II (module changes every month)
 Germany and the German labour market 09.12.2020 „Visa for Germany“
 Need for skilled workers in Germany 13.01.2021 „Recognition in Germany“
 Visa regulations 10.02.2021 „Successful Application in Germany“
 Wages, taxes, and social benefit programs 10.03.2021 „Learning German“
 Recognition of international professional
qualifications

Specials in deutscher Sprache (every 3 months)

"Deutsche Rückkehrende - Ihre Rückkehr nach Deutschland":
01.12.2020 "Deutsche Rückkehrende - Ihre Rückkehr nach Deutschland" (14:00 - 15:30 Uhr)
09.02.2021 "Deutsche Rückkehrende - Ihre Rückkehr nach Deutschland" (14:00 - 15:30 Uhr)

www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 49
What is www.make-it-in-Germany.com?
German government’s information portal for qualified professionals offers information for those
interested in moving to Germany – starting with preparations in the home country, to the actual move, to
the first steps to be taken in Germany.

 Quick-Check: Possibility to check your chances of

immigrating to Germany
 Visa section: Official and understandable information on
the visa application process and various types of visa for
Germany
 Job listings: Companies that are willing to hire qualified
professionals from around the world post their vacancies
 World map: Interactive map with contacts of German
institutions in your country of residence
 Event calendar: Information about current international
workshops, seminars or other events of Make it in Germany
and its partners
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 50
Contact us

Hotline
+49 228 713 1313

Text-Chat Video-Chat

make-it-in-germany@arbeitsagentur.de

www.make-it-in-germany.com

.
www.zav.de/onlineworkshop Seite 51
Thank you for your attention!