Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

EDUCATION

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.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

WORKING IN GERMANY

Five things to know about salaries in Germany

Finding a job is typically a top priority when planning a move to Germany. The country boasts the third largest economy in the world and a continuing need for skilled professionals. 

Published: 2 May 2024 12:26 CEST
Five things to know about salaries in Germany

If you are moving to Germany, you might soon start looking for a job in the country. However, like many other aspects of living abroad, there are several cultural differences and specificities when it comes to job hunting in Germany – especially when it comes to salaries.

Here are five things to know about salaries in Germany.

There is a minimum wage in Germany

Germany’s minimum wage of €12.41 per hour, pre-tax came into effect at the start of this year. This amounts to a monthly salary of €2,054 which ranks ninth in the world. The minimum wage will rise again in 2025 to €12.82 per hour before tax deductions.

There have been calls recently to hike the salary up higher to €14 per hour.

READ ALSO: Millions of workers in Germany ‘earning less than €14 per hour’

Find out salary expectations

Germany does not require companies to list salary ranges for listed positions. But that may be changing soon. The EU parliament passed a wage transparency law to require companies to publish annual reports detailing wage and wage discrepancy information. The rules, which are set to go into effect in 2027, are intended to help close the gender pay gap. 

In the meantime, employees can utilise online resources to find industry averages and expectations for different roles:

  • Gehalt.de offers users access to salary information on more than 800 professions
  • Online platform, Kununu provides compensation information and employer reviews to users in the DACH region  
  • Berlin residents can utilise REDSOFA’s salary survey for an overview of salary averages in the country’s capital city

As of April 2023 the average gross monthly salary was €4,323 according to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office.

Two-thirds of full time workers make less than this average monthly salary and one-third of workers earn more than this average monthly salary.

While wages after deductions may be less than similar roles in other countries, it is also important to take into consideration what other benefits come with a salary. Paid holiday leave, pension contributions, long notice periods and annual bonuses can help make up some of that difference. 

READ ALSO: How much do employees in Germany typically earn?

Check your payment schedule

Internationals can usually expect their salary once a month when working in Germany. Many German companies choose to pay employees either on the 1st or 15th of the month. It is also important to note that most employees can expect to receive their first pay check within 30 or 45 days of starting. 

For positions that offer yearly bonuses, these payments are included in a 13th pay check which are subject to income tax.  

A person works on a laptop.

A person works on a laptop. Image by Bartek Zakrzewski from Pixabay

How many hours do you work?

When looking for a job, don’t forget to check how many hours you can expect. Job descriptions will include expectations for time commitments. 

Mini-jobs, as expected from the name, are limited in hours and pay. Employees can expect up to €538 per month. Mini-jobs do not provide social security because they do not require social security contributions. Employees are also not automatically covered by health and nursing care insurance. 

Teilzeit, or part time jobs, are defined as any job where working hours are less than a full time position.

A common misconception is that part-time work requires working 20 hours or less a week. But an employee working five days a week for 30 hours, at a position that is typically 40 hours when full time can also be defined as a part time worker. 

READ ALSO: The rules in Germany around ‘mini’ and ‘midi jobs’

In fact, Germany has a term for workers who work between 28 and 36 hours a week. Vollzeitnahe Teilzeit, or nearly full time part time workers, can be a popular choice for some people, including parents. These positions can give employees more flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities. It is important to note that these workers are paid according to their time worked, so it will still amount to less than full time.

Depending on the work schedule, part time employees can earn the same amount of vacation as their full-time counterparts. That’s because holiday leave is calculated based on days worked, not hours. If a part time worker comes in five days a week, they will be eligible for at least 20 days of holiday. If that same part time worker comes in three days a week, they will be legally entitled to twelve days of vacation, even if they worked the same hours as the other employee. 

In most companies, weekly working hours between 35 and 40 hours are considered full-time employment or Vollzeitbeschäftigung. 

Watch out for the gross v. net difference

Before you sign the dotted line, it will be important to check how much of your gross salary you’ll be able to keep come pay day. Companies that include salary expectations in descriptions include gross salary (Bruttoeinkommen) – not the net income after taxes and deductions (Nettoeinkommen). The amount deducted will depend on how much you earn, the tax class you’re in and on other factors such as how much you’re paying for healthcare but it is usually around 40 percent. 

Salaried employees can find information on the deductions on their pay slip. Some to expect to see include:

  • Taxes are deducted directly from the gross pay. The amount is based on the tax bracket your salary falls within 
  • A percentage of your gross salary is also deducted for your pension / retirement contributions
  • Church taxes between eight and nine percent of your salary will also be due if you are affiliated with a religion
  • Unemployment insurance amounts to a 2.5 percent deduction from your gross salary. It is important to note that the insurance covers a salary up to €90,600 
  • Health insurance contribution rates are typically split between employers and employees. The rate depends on the provider. In 2024, the TK contribution rate to health insurance is 15.8 percent of the gross income

READ ALSO: What you need to know about your payslip in Germany 

SHOW COMMENTS