Find a Job in Berlin ||Jobs in Berlin

 

This page covers everything you need to know about finding and landing a job in Berlin. Where to look and how to land a job search, we've got you covered for creating a German-style CV and customized LinkedIn profile.

Finding a job in Berlin can be tough, especially in Germany as the main working language probably isn't your mother tongue. This is arguably the number one fear for ex-pats visiting Berlin.

However, there are actually many jobs in Berlin that don't require you to speak German and international companies are flocking to the city left, right, and center. With a thriving start-up scene, some have tipped Berlin to become Europe's Silicon Valley.

Jobs in Berlin

 

The German capital has long been a go-to place for wild ravers and ice-cold creative types, but it has recently become a hotspot for tech as well. The advisory agency Gruenden believes that on average, a new startup is born every 20 minutes in Berlin. According to Crunchbase, there are now 500 new startups per year, and they have collectively raised about $10.8 billion in venture capital. Berlin's business world is skyrocketing and it's starting to make Munich and Frankfurt feel a little uncomfortable. The most talked-about is happening at Silicon Alley, a coworking complex full of clever companies. It sounds better than Silicon Roundabout (at least 'Alley' rhymes with 'Valley') and has its own craft beer bar.

Some seriously major companies are rushing to get a piece of the Berlin pie. You know it's a big deal when big dogs are involved. Both Microsoft and Google have invested in major 'accelerator' locations in Berlin for new startups, which all sound very fast and exciting. Twitter, Uber, and Facebook have followed suit and set up offices there as well. It's a big business snowball – or schneeball – that keeps getting bigger and bigger. The question is whether the famously affordable Berlin will remain that way (we don't have the answer).

Average salary: £43,670 ( GBP )

Population: 3.77 million

Find Local Jobs: Jobs in Berlin

Major companies: Soundcloud, Siemens, Deutsche Bank, and Mercedes-Benz.

 

What are the most popular job areas in Berlin for non-German speakers?

Before we look at some tips for finding jobs in Berlin, it is important to look at the main sectors in which expatriates find work. In short, the most popular job sectors in Berlin currently are:
Tech and IT

• Customer Service
• Sales and Business
•  
• Development
• Recruitment
• Hospitality
• Childcare and Teaching
• Marketing and Account Management
• Content writing and editing

While you shouldn't limit yourself to these areas, these are the positions English speakers have had the most success applying for. If you want to secure work as quickly as possible, the hospitality route is generally the fastest - if you're willing to be flexible, many people are able to secure hospitality work within 2-4 weeks of arriving in Berlin.

Where can I find a job in Berlin?

Berlin has a wide range of companies that are constantly on the lookout for new, international talent. But for applicants, it can be difficult to get an overview of the jobs out there.

300+ startup and business employers in Berlin that hire non-German speakers.

Job board of English speaking opportunities in Berlin

General tips for finding a job in Berlin

While the above resources will help give you a comprehensive overview of current job openings in the Berlin job market, there are some simple approaches you can take to improve your chances of securing employment in the German capital:

Expand your Search

Don't limit your search to just a few job boards. Because it costs companies more to advertise on larger job boards, many companies choose to advertise on smaller, less popular listing sites. Many small start-ups also like to post on Facebook groups because these listings are free.

Get a German number and add your German address to your CV. list on

Get a German phone number as soon as possible and list it on your CV along with your German address. The more signals you can give to the hiring managers/recruiters that you are serious and committed to living in Germany (and are already in the country) the better - a German number and address is a simple and effective way to do this.

If applying from abroad, using your international number is not a problem and it is much better than providing one without the number. Make sure you include the international calling code so that it is as easy as possible for you to recruit managers/recruiters.

Open Applications

Sending open applications is common in Germany. If you are interested in a certain company or field, but there are no suitable roles advertised, don't hesitate to state in your CV and cover letter why you want to work for that particular company and what you can offer. can.

Knowledge of the German job market

Recruiters/Hiring Managers in Germany are familiar and expect to see certain things in your application. This mainly pertains to your CV, which should follow 'German-style'.

Apply for a variety of roles

Berlin has a high proportion of part-time jobs as well as a booming freelance market. Rather than limiting your search to full-time positions, consider other positions that may allow you to get your foot in the door with a company.

In Germany, there are also a large number of 'mini-jobs', which pay under €450 per month and are exempt from income tax. Multiple mini-jobs held at the same time can serve as a means to cover your living expenses – these may not be open to you if you need a work visa to live in Germany, but the European Union /EEA is a fixed option for nationals and those on Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Visa.
Job-related Facebook groups in Berlin are also a great place to get in touch with local employers, recruiters, hiring managers, etc., who often post openings, articles, and blog posts in these groups.

Provide Wide Application

Instead of just pumping out applications for any job you can find in Berlin, take time on each application to make sure it is optimized for the role applied for. Take free time to adjust your CV to the role and make sure you write a cover letter that is clearly linked to the job description and requirements.

Search Smart

When searching job boards, don't just use 'English' as ​​a keyword as it will only bring up a limited selection of English jobs. Also search using English terms related to the role you are looking for, for example, search for 'customer service' or 'content manager'. Changing English keyword combinations will reveal a wider range of search results.

To learn how Nomaden can help you with your visit to Berlin, click here

CV tips to get a job in Berlin

If you are not a native English speaker, mistakes in your CV can seriously hinder your chances of getting a job in Berlin. Therefore, it is advisable to have a native English content editor comb through your CV to sort out any issues.
To give you some more guidance on what to include in your CV while job searching in Berlin we have expanded the various CV sections below:

• Your full name
• Date of birth
• Citizenship (Citizenship) - also include this if you are an EU/EEA citizen. If you are not an EU/EEA citizen but already have a work-related visa for Germany, also add that you have 'Full Work Permission for Germany'.

Contact information (phone number, email address, and address). If possible, a German number and address are preferable because recruiters prefer candidates who are already in Germany and ready to start work immediately.

Work Experience and Internship

Dates you worked in different roles and then details about the company, location, department, and position in which you worked. You should also provide a brief description of your position and actions. Try and include the experience/keywords listed in the specific job ads that interest you.

Cover Letter for Jobs in Berlin

While CVs are a universal requirement for almost any job application in the world, you might not be familiar with cover letters. But in Germany, few employers value this letter as much as your CV, and it is a great opportunity to express your passion for an industry, company, or product, as well as to showcase your personality and professionalism. provides.

LinkedIn Tips for Finding Jobs in Berlin

In a sense, your CV and cover letter serve as your 'hard copy presentation. But in the modern world, it is also important to have an online presence to find a job.
Here, LinkedIn is unquestionably the number one tool used by potential employers in Berlin to search for and find roles.
Thousands of companies in Berlin use the site to advertise their job openings, so having a well-presented, clear and customized profile will greatly improve your chances of getting a job in Berlin.

Working conditions for jobs in Berlin

If your application and interview process is successful, you will receive a job offer (hooray!). At this point, it is important to review the working conditions to check that they are fair before signing the contract.

Documents required to start a job in Berlin

Once you have landed a job in Berlin and signed your employment contract, there are several important documents you will need to hold in order to fully engage with your new employer.

German Tax Id

Your German tax ID determines which tax class you need to be in. To obtain it, you must first register officially at an address in Berlin, a process known as Unmeldung.

German Health Insurance Membership Certificate

It is mandatory to sign up for German health insurance when working in Germany. If working in regular employment, your employer will require your German health insurance details prior to your employment start date.

German Certificate of Social Insurance (Sozialversichrungsausweiss)

If working in regular employment in Germany, you will also be subject to Social Security contributions. Your certificate of social insurance can be requested and ordered from your German health insurance provider.

German bank details

Many German employers require you to have a German bank account in order to process your salary.

Police check

In Berlin, you can apply for a police check at any Bürgeramt (Town Hall).

Work Visa / EU Blue Card

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, your employer will likely want to check that you have successfully obtained permission to work for Germany. For this, you have to successfully apply and be granted a work visa for Germany.