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 Germany: Job market
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What are my chances of getting a job?New graduates from the UK rarely secure work immediately after graduation at a professional level in Germany, except teaching English as a foreign language, although there are opportunities in casual work in the hospitality and other service sectors. - Typical problems encountered: as German degree courses typically last up to seven years and are almost all vocationally specific, local graduates are likely to have greater levels of training to offer employers than their UK counterparts. Unlike the UK, there are no graduate level positions that are open to graduates in any discipline. In addition, German students almost always complete one or more periods of work experience (Praktikum) before graduation, and go on to apply for work in the same field.
- How to improve your chances: you are more likely to secure graduate-level work in Germany if you first gain qualifications and experience in the UK. A further qualification gained in Germany could also boost your chances. If you are determined to get work there as soon as possible, securing at least one Praktikum should improve your chances.
- Language requirements: While most well-educated Germans can speak some English, many fluently, and English is widely used in international business settings, you will need a strong command of German to stand a realistic chance of getting work in Germany. Postgraduate study will also require an advanced level of German, including the relevant technical vocabulary.
back to top Where can I work?Germany is one of the world's largest economies and most technologically advanced countries. - Major industries: automobiles, machine tools, financial services, hospitality, chemicals.
- Recent growth areas: telecommunications, hi-tech manufactured products, automotive industry, banking, tourism.
- Industries in decline: mining, forestry, steel, agriculture, the remnants of former state-run industries in the former East Germany.
- Shortage occupations: electrical and mechanical engineers, IT specialists, professionals in manufacturing, metals, and electrical sectors.
- Major companies: Allianz, BASF, Bayer, BMW, Bosch, Deutsche Bank, SAP, Siemens, T-Mobile, Volkswagen.
- Search for more companies: the German Embassy in London - useful information on their website on doing business in Germany, including a list of useful contacts for a variety of industries; the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany - useful company information, but limited for non-members; Gelbe Seiten (German Yellow Pages); Kompass - a worldwide business directory searchable by product/service.
- Major cities: Berlin (the capital and largest city), Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, München (Munich), Stuttgart.
back to top What’s it like working in Germany?- Average working hours: slightly shorter than in the UK, at an average of around 35 hours per week.
- Holidays: 3 October is Unity Day, a national holiday; otherwise the major Christian festivals are holidays as in the UK.
- Average graduate starting salary: comparable to the UK overall.
- Tax rates: following recent reforms, tax and national insurance rates are very similar to those in the UK. Income tax is on a progressive scale from 20% to 42% and National Insurance is paid both by the employer and employee.
- Work practices and customs: business etiquette is somewhat more formal in Germany than in the UK. Titles are accorded greater importance, and people are more often addressed by their title and surname than in British workplaces. Dress and behaviour are expected to be conservative by British standards - the most senior colleague at a meeting will perform introductions while juniors such as graduate trainees should wait to be introduced.
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