Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

Hi All,

This is my first post. I have spent a long time reading through forums but am after some further information I am hoping others can help with.

I have been thinking of moving to Germany for some time. I have the necessary documentation to work and live in the country.

I have undertaken some intermediate level language classes but am nowhere near applying this in a German speaking workplace.

My biggest concern is earning potential in Germany. I am trying to speak to agents and professionals to gauge this. I am also looking at what networks I can use to make contacts.

I have 10 years work experience in banking/finance. I can go into more detail if required. However essentially want to know if I have any chance of finding a similar paying or similar level role in Germany (versus the UK).

I am not expecting to land the dream job as fully aware of the challenges, especially arriving without being completely fluid in the language etc etc I am curious to know how to set my expectations.

I am willing to work outside industry. Frankfurt may be logical choice due to finance district but job opportunities may drive location.

I have heard mixed things - lots of offices speak English, skilled workers are in demand, just pack up and look for work in the country. This is all great but makes it hard to plan.

Any advice, experiences, suggestions? Any online resources to compare salaries? How did you make the leap? Do Germans employ overseas staff through recommendations or introductions?

Thanks in advance.

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

Hi, have you tried linked in?

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I have joined a couple of German groups on LinkedIn. Is LinkedIn popular in Germany? Can anyone recommend any groups?

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

Hi, I did a double-take on seeing your user name! Another suggestion from France, check with Toytown if no one can advise here.

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

This makes me think you are not British as you would need no documentation to live and work in Germany if that was the case. I suspect that working in the finance industry you would need to be fluent in German, which is the first hurdle to cross, doesn't matter if all in the office speak English, the people you are on the phone to, in e mail contact would almost certainly be German, and you would need a good grounding in just how the German finance industry works.

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

Yes, I am already aware of toy town. I will check it out again for anything specific to my own situation.

Regarding the German banking system and banking in general, my experience lies in back office and operations. Therefore thinking I would not need to speak with external customers. Assuming my team was English; or company adopted English as there common language I would be in luck. (Making a massive assumption here and accepting this reduces the options dramatically.)

One consideration may be consultancies who service banking customers. There may be less of a barrier although work may be drier?

Again, if anyone can share ideas, please let me know.

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

I have a colleague who lives and works in Germany, he doesn't speak German so I guess it depends on the company. Agents might be able to indicate the lay of the land if you give them a call?

Re: Setting Job Expectations for Germany
 

Xing is the German version of Linkedin.

http://www.xing.com/