The Benefits of Working in Germany after Graduation
Germany is known for its innovation and research expertise in fields like engineering, physics, and automation as well as its academic excellence. The country is a hugely popular education destination for international students, but few might be aware that Germany has a great jobs market too for local and international graduates, as well as one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.
The lucrative job market in Germany is partly due to its excellence in research and development, and partly due to the presence of international and domestic bases of well-known traditional companies like Allianz, BMW and Volkswagen, and exciting new tech companies such as Zalando, N26, and Auto1 Group. Hence, it’s convenient for international students to find suitable roles after completing their studies in Germany.
This blog post provides useful insight into finding work in Germany after you have graduated. Read on to find out more about the best reasons to work in Germany, employment opportunities available in the country and the possible criteria for working in Germany.
Working in Germany after graduation
If you belong to a country that is a member of the European Union (EU), you can get the same kind of access to the German employment market, work benefits and tax advantages as the country’s citizens.
There are many work opportunities available for graduates, including international students who have studied in Germany. Proficiency in the German language can further enhance your career prospects, but is not essential as many international organisations in Germany now use English as their corporate language.
If you are from a non-EU country, you can extend your current Residence Permit for an additional period of 18 months to help you secure a job. This period begins as soon as you receive your final exam results — hence, you should utilise this time wisely. Once you receive an offer, you can apply for a German work permit or an EU Blue Card which will allow you to work in Germany and other EU countries. To apply for a German work permit or Residence Permit, you must speak to the Federal Foreign Office.
Work opportunities in Germany
There are numerous benefits of working in Germany after completing your studies. Most companies provide generous pay packages and an excellent work-life balance. The most prominent industries in the country include automation development, healthcare, aerospace development, medical technology, IT and telecommunications, optical engineering and nanotechnology.
Business and scientific roles are especially popular and are available in the German market with the most popular positions being automotive engineers, IT specialists, scientists, business managers and consultants.
For budding entrepreneurs, the country’s free market offers the right conditions and motivation to set up a profitable business. You can also freelance as a management or management consultant, strategist, or, amongst others.
If you have a background in science, you can take up research positions at any one of the country’s research facilities or universities. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and engineering fields also have their own research departments.
How to search for a job in Germany
You can start working in Germany while you are studying by taking up part-time work or by taking courses from an institution that offers placement opportunities. You can also focus on networking with your student colleagues and professors for suitable connections and recommendations for appropriate roles based on your skills and expertise.
You can explore public databases of jobs in Germany, and GISMA Business School students also have access to the JobTeaser database. Some common platforms include the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) which is a comprehensive list of job openings across different fields within the European Union and the Federal Employment Agency website which has a network of 700+ recruitment agencies.
Germany is one of the best destinations to study and build a successful career in. Many public and private institutions, such as GISMA, offer career-oriented courses which can allow you to pursue a variety of careers in any field. Students at GISMA also benefit from the Career Centre, where they can learn the skills required to make it in the job market. The Career Centre also develop corporate partnerships with employers in Germany who generally use English as their corporate language, allowing for more opportunities for GISMA students.
If you are searching for a higher education institution in Germany, check out the courses offered by GISMA Business School in Berlin. GISMA provides a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses in professionally relevant disciplines such as Financial Management. All the courses are designed to provide relevant skills and expertise, uniquely customised for working in Germany. Click here to get a comprehensive list of courses offered by GISMA Business School.
This article was written by Sweha Hazari and edited by Anisa C.