Germany
- About Germany
- Working conditions
- Sectors and companies that are recruiting
- Applying for a job
- Major recruitment pointers
- Recruitment Resources and networks
1. About Germany
As Europe’s largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent’s economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. In January 2011, Germany assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-12 term.
Population: 81.4 million
GDP per inhabitant (2009): USD 35.700,-
Unemployment rate (02/11): 7.1%
2. Working conditions
The German business environment is very sensitive to formalities, accuracy and being on time.Punctuality is the golden rule and must be adhered to. Any lack of punctuality would be interpreted as casual behaviour. Meetings must be planned in advance with exact timing. University titles are considered to be important and are respected. Anyone with a university (doctoral) degree follows “Herr” (Mr.) or “Frau” (Mrs.) with “Doktor”. The dress code for business meetings is always business attire. Shaking hands when meeting others is also a matter of appreciation in the business environment
Legal working hours : 48 hrs / week max. Average: 42.9 hrs / week
Length of trial / notice period: by law: 4 weeks, typical between 3 – 6 months.
Employment formalities: Foreign nationals who want to work as an employee in the Federal Republic of Germany need a permit from the relevant authority. It comes to different procedures for nationals from the EU member states (work permit process) and the so-called third countries (approval process).
You will find more detailed information here: www.arbeitsagentur.de
Medical check upon recruitment possible, but this depends on the targeted job.
3. Sectors that are recruiting
FMCG, High Tech and Telecommunication, Services (Healthcare, Insurance, Law, Audit, Logistics, Consulting, Audit), Industries (Automotive, Food, Energy, Construction), Public Sectors and others.
Daimler AG, Volkswagen AG, Siemens AG, E.on AG, Deutsche Telkom AG, Deutsche Post AG, Metro AG, BASF AG, BMW AG, ThyssenKrupp AG, Lufthansa AG, RWE AG, Allianz AG and others.
4. Applying for a job
Application documents: Cover letter explaining motivation for the application. CV with photograph in German (English for international positions). Work certificates and diplomas confirming professional history. The certificate states the title and nature of the job and gives some indication about the degree of satisfaction with the company, as well as reasons for leaving. Reference letters can be helpful if no certificates can be provided.
Advice regarding the CV: One to two sheets. Content: Personal data (photo and birth date is not an obligation but welcome); educational background and languages (level). Positions in chronological reverse order, with information on the company, position, results and figures. Publications, leisures or interests could be the last part. Employer will make his own reference checks but a name list would be appreciated.
5. Major recruitment pointers
Business Etiquette/knowing how to behave during interviews: Shake hands if given by the recruiter, pay attention to your counterpart, be tructured, be coherent, give figures to demonstrate what you achieved, show interest, enthusiasm and flexibility. Give precise answers about the motivation to change positions in the past and now. Don’t be surprised in front of certain personal questions, regarding your leisures for example. Companies try to evaluate competencies and to understand your whole personality.
Languages you must be able to speak: German, English (French and/or Spanish is an advantage)
Flagship training: Diploma from top ranked universities like: Engineering: TU Aachen, University of Karlsruhe, University of Munich; Commercial: University of Cologne, University of Mannheim, University of Muenster; IT: University of Munich, University of Karlsruhe.
Compensation&Benefits / Taxes: Fixed salary connected to educational background and professional experience. Bonus systems are quite common; differ from function to function. Company car is quite common for senior positions and sales; laptop and mobiles are also common for positions where it is needed.
6. Recruitment resources and networks
Important business networking sites: XING, LinkedIn, Facebook
Best sites for jobs: www.monster.de, www.stepstone.de, www.experteer.de, www.stellenonline.de
Where to network: Alumni, German and international Chamber of Commerce institutes (Wirtschaftsjunioren, ASU), other associations like BJU, foreign clubs in Germany (USA, UK, France and other).
