Jobs in Berlin: a Complete Overview
Do not restrict your search to just a few task boards. As it costs companies more to market on larger task boards, lots of business pick to market on smaller, less popular listing sites. Many smaller start-ups even pick to post on Facebook groups as these listings tend to be free.
The larger task boards are clearly much more popular, and for that reason can be even more competitive. If you spread your time evenly in between big job boards, smaller sized listing sites and Facebook groups, you will get great coverage of the opportunities that are out there. To help you, we have actually compiled a list of our boards in Germany.
✅ Get a German number and list your German address on your CV
Get a German phone number as soon as possible and list this on your CV together with your German address. The more indication you can provide to hiring managers/recruiters that you are severe and dedicated to living in Germany (and are currently in the country) the better – a German number and address is a simple and reliable method to do this!
If using from overseas, utilizing your international number is no issue and is far better than providing no number at all. Make certain you consist of the international calling code to make it as easy as possible for working with managers/recruiters to acquire you.
✅ Open applications
It is typical in Germany to send open applications. If you are interested in a particular business or field, however there are not any appropriate roles promoted, do not think twice to send out in your CV and cover letter detailing why you would like to work for that particular business and what you could use.
While this might seem rather speculative, it might well settle in the long term. We have actually found this approach to be specifically successful in the hospitality sector – if you are searching for a hospitality job in Berlin, we suggest sending out open applications to all of the hospitality services listed here and you will likely get some favorable actions!
✅ Knowledge of the German task market
Recruiters/hiring managers in Germany are animals of familiarity and anticipate to see certain things in your application. This generally connects to your CV, which should follow a ‘German-style’. For some CV suggestions, see the CV section below.
✅ Apply to various types of function
Berlin has a very high proportion of part-time jobs as well as a burgeoning freelance market. Rather than limit your search to full-time positions, think about other positions that might allow you to get your foot in the door employment with a business.
In Germany, there are also a large number of ‘mini-jobs’, which pay under EUR450 a month and are exempt from income tax. A variety of mini-jobs held at the very same time can work as a way of covering your living costs – these may not be open to you if you need a work visa to live in Germany however are a definite option for EU/EEA people and those on a Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Visa.
✅ Always go to the source
If you see a task advertised on a job board, it is most likely that the business will have other jobs advertised elsewhere. Always keep in mind to check each business’s own profession page for complete listings of offered jobs in Berlin as they will likely only advertise a handful of their openings on external job boards.
Using our company listings, you can easily discover your way to companies’ own career pages.
✅ Network, network, network
Network anywhere and whenever possible whether it be at job fairs, recruitment events or market meetups. You can find networking occasions noted on Eventbrite and on Meetup.
Other good networking arenas are the city’s lots of co-working spaces, which host a big number of events and employment workshops. The similarity Factory Berlin, Betahaus and Sankt Oberholz are great domains for engaging with freelance professionals and startup business owners.
Job-related Facebook groups in Berlin are also a fantastic place to come into contact with local companies, employers, working with supervisors, etc who will frequently publish openings, posts and post in these groups.
✅ Provide comprehensive applications
Instead of just pumping out applications for any job you can find in Berlin, take some time over each application to ensure that it is adapted to the role obtained. Spare time for your CV to the role and ensure you compose a cover letter that is clearly linked to the job description and requirements.
As a minimum, submit a CV and cover letter, however also offer written recommendations, links to individual sites and portfolios if these relate to the position.
✅ Search smart
When browsing task boards, do not just use ‘English’ as a keyword as this will only raise a restricted selection of English jobs. Also search using English terms associated to the function you are looking for, e.g. search for ‘Client service’ or ‘Content Manager’. Varying the English keyword combinations will bring up a much wider variety of search outcomes.
✅ Referrals
Most big business in Berlin use generous recommendation bonus offers for staff members who refer prospects for positions. These are typically EUR1000 – 2000 benefits per referral that is worked with.
Therefore, a shrewd strategy can be to ask a worker (via LinkedIn) at a company that you wish to work for to refer you for a position. Due to the monetary reward, a lot of employees will be happy to refer you and this will usually make sure that your application is prioritised by a working with manager/recruiter.
✅ Tracking
Keep an eye on all your applications on a spreadsheet with the date you used, employment who the recruiter/hiring is and any other important details. This will assist you track your applications for following up with business.
