I recently checked my LinkedIn data dump and realized what my job search in Germany actually looked like.

218 applications → 7 interview processes → 1 offer.

I moved to Germany to pursue my Master's after almost 8 years of work.

Despite my previous experience, finding my first opportunity here wasn't straightforward.

All of this happened over around 4–5 months, while I was also attending classes, learning German, and working on my master’s thesis.

At one point, I even took up a part-time job at Amazon, but left after just two weeks because I wasn't getting enough time to focus on my job search.

There were plenty of rejections, interviews that went nowhere, and eventually an internship that turned into a full-time role.

Looking back, having years of experience doesn't necessarily make starting in a new country any easier.

To everyone still searching, keep at it. I know how frustrating it can get.

And if there's anything specific you'd like to know about my experience, feel free to ask in the comments or DM me. Happy to share whatever I can.

Hi there,

I am doing weekly roundups of who's raising, expanding and cutting in Germany: most of the links are in the newsletter issue.

Just raised money

• 1Komma5° (Hamburg, AI energy management for homes): €70M
• Causa Prima (Munich, AI agents that resolve B2B invoices): $20M seed
• Ubitium (Düsseldorf, universal chip for physical AI): $14M seed
• OllyGarden (Berlin, fixes bad telemetry before observability): $4M seed
• TODAY (Berlin & Copenhagen, AI agents for financial advisors): €2.8M seed

Expanding

• MicroAGI (Munich, robotics) hit $100M+ in annualised revenue six months after launching Shift, its robot-data platform. They are hiring.
• Universal Quantum (UK, quantum computing) raised over €89M in a Series A and plans to expand its German hub in Hamburg.
• Varta (Ellwangen, batteries) is restarting its household-battery division as an independent business after the group's insolvency, keeping around 990 jobs and planning fresh investment at its Dischingen site.
• Bonial (Berlin, retail marketing) bought Nordic retail-marketing company Tjek, going from two to six European markets.
• Doctolib (Paris, health tech) is taking a minority investment from NVIDIA that it says will speed up its AI hiring.
• Taco Bell (US, fast food) opened its first German location in Cologne. Berlin, Bonn and Stuttgart are next.

Cutting

• Ryanair is closing its BER base on 24 October, withdrawing all seven stationed aircraft and 12 routes. It blames Germany's aviation tax and state fees.
• Galeria (Essen, department stores): in its fourth insolvency in six years, at least a third of its stores are at risk. The Bundesagentur für Arbeit will pay the insolvency wages, about €25M a month.
• Trade Republic (Berlin, fintech): employees reportedly describe frequent performance ratings and dismissals ("rank and yank"), per internal documents seen by Tagesspiegel.

Office & pay

• Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing said the government's labour reforms don't go far enough and called for weaker dismissal protection for top earners.

Numbers

• Job ads for graduates with up to three years of experience fell 40% between January and August 2026 compared with 2022, from 138k to 83.5k, per Süddeutsche Zeitung. Unemployed graduates under 30 almost doubled, from 23k in 2022 to 45k in 2025.
• Information and communication has 56% fewer junior ads than in 2023. Construction is the exception, down only 14% and up 7% on last year.
• Three in four of about 2,500 employees surveyed by the AOK's research institute WIdO felt exhausted by their work. Mental-illness sick days among AOK members rose 42% in ten years.
• German startups raised €4.5bn in Q3, the best quarter since the end of 2021, per KfW Research. AI startups got 69% of it.
• Only 24% of German startups that raise a seed round reach Series A, per an Antler analysis of 27.6k rounds.
• The government raised its 2026 growth forecast to 1.3%, from 0.5%.

Thanks for reading! Much appreciated. You can get this weekly for free.

I'm 18, recently moved to Germany, and looking for an entry-level job. I finished high school this year and have little formal work experience (although I do have some informal experience). My German is around A2, and I'm joining an integration course with evening classes.

(My goal is to keep improving my German so I can start an Ausbildung or possibly study next year). In the meantime, I want to find a job to cover my living expenses (I currently live with my aunt) and pay for my courses while I work towards that goal.

How should I structure my CV to give myself the best chance of getting hired? What do German employers look for in someone in my situation?

Ihre Aufgaben:

• Technischer Support – Schwerpunkt
  • Analyse und Lösung technischer Probleme rund um unser virtuelles Konferenzsystem und angebundene Systeme – von Browser- und Hardwareproblemen bis hin zu Netzwerk- und Verbindungsproblemen
  • Persönlicher technischer Support für Trainer/-innen und Teilnehmende, auch telefonisch
  • Technisches Onboarding und Schulungen für Trainer/-innen
  • Systematische Analyse wiederkehrender Supportfälle und technischer Rückmeldungen
• Produktkoordination
  • Ableitung von Optimierungen und Anforderungen aus Supportfällen und Nutzerfeedback
  • Abstimmung technischer Themen mit unserem IT-Team und externen Technologiepartnern
  • Begleitung und Prüfung neuer Funktionen und technischer Änderungen
  • Unterstützung bei der kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung unseres virtuellen Konferenzsystems und der zugehörigen Prozesse

Ihr Profil:

• Ausbildung, Studium oder vergleichbare Qualifikation im IT-Bereich
• Mindestens 2 Jahre Berufserfahrung im IT-Support, Application Support oder in der Systemadministration
• Idealerweise Berufserfahrung in der Bildungsbranche
• Fundierte Kenntnisse und praktische Erfahrung im Umgang mit Linux-Servern
• Sehr gutes technisches Verständnis und Erfahrung im Troubleshooting
• Ausgeprägte Service- und Kundenorientierung
• Empathisches, verbindliches und lösungsorientiertes Auftreten
• Fähigkeit, technische Themen verständlich und wertschätzend für Nicht-Techniker zu erklären
• Interesse an Produktmanagement und der persönlichen Weiterentwicklung zum/zur Business Analyst/-in
• Sprachkenntnisse: hervorragendes Deutsch (C2-Niveau) und sehr gutes Englisch (mindestens B2-Niveau)

Wir bieten:

• Technische Ausstattung
• Ortsunabhängiges Arbeiten im engagierten, kooperativen Team
• Abwechslungsreiche Tätigkeit

I recently applied for a work visa in a small town in southern Bavaria. The job title is Junior Operations Manager, with typical responsibilities such as managing day-to-day operations, monitoring KPIs, coordinating teams, etc.
I also have a master’s degree, and the offered salary is €4,000 gross per month.

However, I received a rejection from the Federal Employment Agency considering it’s a junior-level position and my first full-time job in this role.

The reason given was:

„Laut Rückmeldung des zuständigen Arbeitgeber-Services entsprechen die Lohnbedingungen für diese Tätigkeit nicht den tariflichen / ortsüblichen Bedingungen wie für inländische Arbeitnehmer/innen.
Diese liegen hier bei mindestens 4.931 €/Monat brutto. Nach Rückmeldung des AGS war der AG weder telefonisch noch per Mail erreichbar.“

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What could be a possible solution?
The company most likely won’t be willing to increase the salary by almost €1,000 per month. However, they might be open to slightly adjusting the role and reducing some responsibilities.
Would changing the job description or responsibilities make a difference in how the salary requirements are assessed?

Hey everyone,

I'm a non-EU student and looking for honest advice from people familiar with the German job market and immigration system.

I have a Master's background in Business Informatics from a German university, with a current cumulative GPA of 2.0 on the German grading scale. I also have previous professional experience in IT Product Management before moving to Germany. I'm currently doing my thesis remotely from my home country.

My German language proficiency is currently around A2. During my time in Germany, I applied for various jobs, including IT-related roles, product operations, internships, retail, and other entry-level positions. I managed to get interviews with only 3 companies after applying to more than 300 working student positions over a span of 2 years, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to secure a stable job despite repeated attempts.

I'm now considering returning to Germany, but my financial situation is limited. I literally blown up 16,000 euros just for my education because unfortunately in my first year in Germany I got into an accident and broke my leg. The 2nd year I worked but couldn't save much. Now if I return, I would have approximately €4,000 available, and I would need to cover rent, a possible deposit, groceries, health insurance, transportation, and other living expenses while looking for work.

I have around nine months remaining on my visa/residence timeline, although I need to ensure that my current immigration status and conditions allow me to return and remain in Germany legally.

My main concern is whether nine months is enough time to find suitable employment, improve my German, and establish myself financially. I understand that A2 German may be a significant limitation, but I also have an IT background and a qualification in Business Informatics.

I'd appreciate advice from people who have been in a similar situation or understand the current job market.

My questions are:

1. Would you return to Germany in my position, with €4,000 in savings, A2 German, previous IT experience, and a Master's qualification in Business Informatics?

2. How realistic is it to find an IT-related or business-oriented role with A2 German? Should I focus on English-speaking jobs while improving my German?

3. Would you prioritize improving German to B1/B2 and later try for opportunity card or return first and continue learning while applying for jobs?

4. Is nine months a reasonable timeframe to find employment and become financially stable, or would returning with such limited savings be too risky?

5. If you were in my position, what would your strategy be for the next six to nine months?

If you think returning is too risky, I'd appreciate hearing why. If you believe it is achievable, I'd like to know what approach would give me the best chance.

Thanks all.

Hi everyone, I am a UK resident and recently moved to Germany for a decently paid job in my field. I have a rented apartment and am in my probation period. However, recent family situations is causing me to seriously consider going back to the UK. I do have an offer lined up for the UK (in London) which will pay well but I need to find a place to stay as well. The company in Germany has been exceedingly helpful with everything and I am already involved in projects which are quite important to the division I work in.

There are other considerations as well, this new offer is almost 1.5X the salary in Germany (I am looking at £90k with benefits on top). What would you do? Would you give your 2 weeks notice and move to the UK for family and better pay?

I am very confused, any help from anyones experiences is very appreciated. I would like to stay close to family during this time but I am not sure if the right move is to quit so early on after joining this new company in Germany.

Hi everyone,
I recently had interviews with large German companies like DHL and Deutsche Telekom, and I’m curious about their hiring process.
Neither company asked about my salary expectations during the application process or in the first interview, which was mainly technical.
They mentioned that the next interview would be in person at their office.
At what stage do large German companies usually discuss salary expectations? Is it normal to reach the second interview without discussing salary at all?
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has gone through a similar hiring process, especially at DHL or Deutsche Telekom.
Thanks!

Hello everyone,
I am 23 woman from the Middle East and I would like to move to Germany with a work visa to build a secure future for myself.
reason is that in my home country, I face many difficulties due to my gender. I experience discrimination, restrictions on my personal freedom, and live in an environment marked by religious extremism. so I have very few opportunities to build an independent and free life. Therefore, I am looking for a chance to start a new life in a European country, because they respect human beings and their freedom.
in frw months i'll have a bachelor's degree in pharmacy (with an pass grade:( ,, and have also completed a course in aesthetics and cosmetics.
To be honest, I do not necessarily want to work in my field of study. I prefer practical or vocational activities over an academic career. Unfortunately, I find the German language difficult, but I speak English well and would like to work in a field where English is sufficient, such as tourism, hotels, customer service, or at international companies.
In which areas do you think I would have the best chances of getting a job and a work visa? How can I find employers who hire international applicants and support them with the visa?
Any advice, helpful website, or personal experience would greatly help me. Thank you very much

Hi everyone! I’m German and currently studying at a university in the United States. I’m interested in applying for Associate Consultant internships at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG in both Germany and the U.S., with the goal of pursuing a full-time role later on.

I’d appreciate advice on a few questions:

1. For applications to German offices, should I submit my CV in a German-style format or a U.S.-style résumé?
2. Are interviews in Germany usually conducted in German, English, or both? Which language should I prioritize when practicing cases?

If any of you had a similar experience applying from the U.S. in Germany, I’d appreciate your tips.

Hey everyone, hoping to get some honest ground-reality from people actually in Germany right now.

Bit about me - I'm from India, computer engineering grad, did a PG diploma in big data after that. I've got around a year of data engineering experience (an internship + freelance work with international clients). Right now I'm kind of stuck, working a non-tech job just to pay bills while I figure out my next move.

I'm seriously considering a Master's at a public university in Germany (data/CS related).

My main worry is the part everyone online skips over. Right now people say tech/data folks are in demand. Okay. But my course is 2 years. What's it actually like after you graduate? Say I finish, use the 18-month job seeker visa, and still don't land anything - then I'm back home with a loan to repay. That scenario is what keeps me up.

So the people who are actually there - a few honest questions:

1. How's the data/tech job market really doing in 2026? Is the "shortage" real on the ground or just marketing?

2. How bad is the language barrier honestly? Can you realistically get a first tech job on English alone, or is B1/B2 German basically mandatory?

3. If you did the MS route, would you do it again knowing what you know now?

Not looking for sugarcoating, I get enough of that from consultants lol. Just real experiences, good or bad. Thanks a lot 🙏

Hey guys,
I am a non-EU student studying Masters in Germany. I had a good first interview with a company based in Austria. I got the interview invitation 3 working days after I applied. In fact, I got in touch with the hiring manager and the main HR person on linkedin right after I applied which may have helped me get noticed. They seemed to have liked me during the interview because honestly everything went well and I could see that in their body language and also the hiring manager complimented me a couple of times. He even emphasized that I have some very interesting overlaps with the job requirements (which I did). I did get a rejection call from them 2 weeks later which is understandable because the position was not exactly entry-level and I couldn’t start working until April or May of next year since I am doing my Masters Thesis currently. They probably went with someone who is available sooner and/or has a couple of years of work experience.

However, during the rejection phone call; I was told by the HR person that the hiring manager will contact me next week to give feedback. Is that common? What can I expect from this because I haven’t heard of feedback calls after rejection in the DACH region? Also, this is the next week, so if I do not receive a call today, would it be okay to send a polite email to the hiring manager thanking him for his time and indirectly hinting towards the feedback conversation?
I appreciate any insights!

hello, im from poland and ive considered working abroad. i use mag 135, whats the realistic pay in germany? i have a few years of experience, have a drivers license and use english pretty well id say. i barely speak german tho.

Hallo...
I had completed bsc nursing in India.. I am fresher no experience..
I am cleared B1 Telc and also I had completed my b2 Kurs..

As a fresher nurse, can I get good job in Deutschland?..
Or Berufserfahrung spielt eine wichtige Rolle im Job?

Bitte Antworten auf die Frage 🙏🙏
Hinweis:  I can't speak german fluently 😅

With B2 certificate+ nursing degree in India= can I get a job in Germany in the year 2026-2027😅😢

Hi Everyone,

Looking for more ground truth situation here. What's the job market in Germany?

Does Big Tech pay well there?

Are German companies hiring immigrants who don't know German?

A Teams call. >100 people. Everyone fired! Our work is being outsourced. No development jobs in German location. Too expensive. A few months of garden leave on top of 3-month notice period + severance which will be in detail through another email. ALG 1, here I come!

What I did: Checked Linkedin today, found a few related jobs. Saved one for later. Created a new folder in Google Drive named "Job search 2027". Cleaned up a few other folders while in Google Drive.
Also had just bought a new robot vacuum cleaner thinking to spend a bit as I was being sure of my career in this company. Spent 3 hours watching the vacuum do something useful. Realised that the tech in this system is the one which took away my job!
Was seeing videos recently about how people are planning for their FIRE journey. I also started to dream about that life. Alas, destiny has something else in store for me. Let's see. Will update tomorrow!

Hi everyone👋

I got a job 6 months ago and believe now is the right time to get legal insurance to protect me in case of future layoffs / landlord issues and beyond.

As an expat I seek your advice for the best and affordable legal insurance that is English friendly.

Would appreciate any recommendation based on personal experience.

Thank you!