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How embracing Germany’s naysayers could help you get a job

Having a career culture shock in Germany? Our jobs coach Chris Pyak lays out how learning to embrace the differences, frustrating as they might be, can help you snag that dream position.

Published: 15 July 2019 12:36 CEST
How embracing Germany's naysayers could help you get a job
Photo: Despositphoto/pressmaster

Life has been the same for a very long time. Nine months went by, one day just like the other. Yet last night at 00:40 CET that changed. I took my wife to the hospital. The contractions were strong, they came in a short interval. Twelve hours later and we…

…are still waiting. No baby yet.

Why am I telling you this? Well, there are a number of lessons here for your job search in Germany.

First: Just because things have “always been this way” doesn't mean that they won't change – and change both drastically and instantly. 

SEE ALSO: Why it's a myth you need to know German to get a job

Think about the last three big opportunities that worked out for you.

How much did they depend on someone having trust in you – without actually knowing you first hand? How much did they depend on a recommendation by a friend? How much did they depend on the reputation of your university or your previous employer?

These are all shortcuts for decision making: Someone trusts in something that they know. This something or someone is connected to you – therefore they trust you.

SEE ALSO: How to be seen as the best candidate for that job in Germany

Once you start searching for a job in a foreign country, this shortcut doesn't work anymore. Chances are, nobody has ever heard of your university in Germany. You have nobody here who could vouch for you. This means you start with zero social capital – but you also get a fresh start.

The lesson here: Embrace change, even if it's scary!

A success story

Realize that you need to change a lot in your life if you want to be successful in this new environment. Even more important: If your refuse change yourself, then how will you convince a German employer to embrace change?

Human resources in Germany, for example, is known for being a notoriously tough department which applicants have to go through before their CVs can even be glanced at by managers in the company. They may be quick to turn down applicants before giving their documents a proper read.

But remember: as the name connotes, they are also just people, and hence could be willing to give you a second chance if provided with additional supporting documentation or if you write a convincing enough argument on why it's worth giving you a shot.

One former job seeker we spoke to was rejected by the HR department of a large German company because he lacked one of the technology skills the firm had listed under their criteria.

In his home country, his university had provided a different type of training. Yet he wrote to the HR representative, pointing out the similar skills he possessed, and how he was currently enrolled in an online course in Germany to bring him up to speed with the company's standards.

The HR representative gave him a second glance, and he snagged the job, where he's now happily been working for the past three years.

Germany is full of people who will find a problem for every solution. “Bedenkenträger” is what we call these people. “Concern carriers”, otherwise known as naysayers.

Professionals who can provide a fresh point of view, who are willing to take a calculated risk are rare and valuable. Make “Change” with a capital C your value proposition..

Because hiring you means to do something differently.You are “not what we are used to”. Your university name means nothing to us. Your references are sounds without meaning. You need us to take a risk and embrace change. You can only do this if you embrace change yourself.

SEE ALSO: Eight things Germany has to do to attract (and keep) international talent

That's the next lesson: change is what make you valuable to us.

I discovered this a long time ago: Whenever my coaching clients find companies that are changing – they have better than usual job opportunities. May it be that it is a brand new startup, a new division in an established company or simply a new boss: Whenever something is changing, the chances of “different” candidates are better than usual.

Moving to Germany can lead you to a new and better career. It also gives you the opportunity to start with a clean sheet – like a new born baby. Embrace the change.

ABOUT CHRIS PYAK

Chris Pyak is the Author of “How To Win Jobs & Influence Germans“. The managing director of Immigrant Spirit GmbH has worked in four different cultures and lived in five different countries.

Chris returned to Germany in 2011. His mission: Bring the Immigrant Spirit to his home country. Chris introduces international professionals to employers in Germany.

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WORKING IN GERMANY

Which Bavaria-based companies regularly hire English speakers?

Bavaria is no doubt a beautiful state with a strong economy, but can be a hard place for non-German speakers to integrate. The Local takes a look at job opportunities in Germany’s southeastern 'Free State.'

Published: 7 February 2024 10:54 CET
Updated: 10 February 2024 08:20 CET
Which Bavaria-based companies regularly hire English speakers?

Munich ranks third in German cities with the highest total GDP, behind Berlin and Hamburg, but in terms of GDP per capita, it’s higher than both of them.

It also consistently ranks high, often highest, in terms of average household income.

As of 2023, nine of the 40 companies listed on DAX, Germany’s stock index, were based in Bavaria. Seven of those are based specifically in Munich.

While Frankfurt is commonly known to be Germany’s business capital, Munich can claim the title of Germany’s insurance capital, which is saying something, as Germany is home to some of the largest insurance firms in the world, like Allianz.

Beyond the state’s capital city, a number of international companies are based elsewhere in Bavaria, particularly in the Franken region, near Nuremberg.

Which companies actively hire English speakers?

Bavaria, and Munich in particular, is home to a number of companies at the forefront of international business. But the state is known for its traditional, sometimes conservative, culture, which affects its business culture as well.

Whereas companies embracing English as their primary business language are easy to find in Berlin, the practice is less common in the south. That said, there are some notable exceptions. 

Sportswear giants, Adidas and Puma, both have their headquarters near Nuremberg in Herzogenaurach, and regularly recruit English speaking international talent.

“As an international company, our teams reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities,” Jon Greenhalgh, Senior Manager Media Relations for Adidas told The Local. “Fostering a culture of inclusion where we value and leverage differences, ensures that we can authentically engage with our employees and truly connect with our consumers.”

He added that around 40 per cent of Adidas’ Germany-based employees are foreign nationals, from over 100 different countries.

Siemens and BMW rank among Bavaria’s top employers, and are also known to hire their fair share of foreigners.

“In Germany, we recently had around 2,000 open positions,” Konstanze Somborn told The Local on behalf of Siemens AG.

He added that Siemens operates in 190 countries. “That is why we value international teams very much…English as a common language is very usual.”

READ ALSO: ‘Which German companies want to hire foreigners?’

Similarly, BMW hires workers from a variety of backgrounds. 

“Every year, we hire lots of internationals and welcome them to the BMW Group,” Dr. Hans-Peter Ketterl, a press spokesman for BMW Group told The Local. 

But not all of these positions are available to non-German speakers.

Ketterl added that BMW’s working language is German in the country, even though, “English is an indispensable entry requirement as the second corporate language in many areas of the company.”

Check job boards and follow best practices

If it’s your first time applying for jobs in Germany, make sure to change your resume to the German format, even for English positions.

While Germany is home to its own job boards, like Xing, LinkedIn is probably the best place to start. In addition to searching for positions based in your preferred location, you can check relevant groups, like Munich Startups, to broaden your horizons.

The English Jobs in Germany website is also a good resource to start with. 

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