L&W in Germany - Handout

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EURES-Germany

Living & Working in Germany

Sabine Novak March 2011

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Index

Germany & the Labour Market

Job Seeking Strategies

Applying for a Job

When you have found a Job

Social Security & Taxes

International Placement Services (ZAV) 2011 © Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Bildrahmen(Bild in Masterfolie einfügen)

Germany & the Labour Market

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Facts about Germany

Surface Area: 357.000 km²

Population: 82.6 Million

Capital: Berlin (3.4 Million inhabitants)

16 Federal States


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Typically German

http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de


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Labour Market

Unemployment rates in 2010

Unemployment Rate: 7.7 %West Germany: 6.6 %East Germany: 12.0 %

� 3.3 million people unemployed

Germany has been less adversely affected by the current economic situation than many other Member States.


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Labour Market

Where are the jobs? – for university graduates:

Mechanical and electrical engineers

Engineers (processing, robotic, biotechnology etc.)

IT engineers (software development, network architects)

Specialised doctors

Chemistry experts

Specialists in marketing and sales


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Labour Market

The following jobs are hard to find – university gra duates:

Architects and civil engineers

Masters of Arts and Social Sciences

Business graduates

Geologists and biologists

Journalists

Lawyers

Locum doctors


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Labour Market

Where are the jobs? – skilled workers:

Technicians and mechanics

Skilled metal workers, welders

Nurses, geriatric carers

Hospitality sector (chefs, waiters)

Retail sector


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Labour Market

The following jobs are hard to find –Skilled Workers:

Construction and building site workers

Skilled workers in the textile industry

Agricultural professions

There are very few jobs for non-skilled workers!


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Internships

Before, during or after your studies/training

From one week up to one year

Average are six months

Often not paid

Leonardo, Erasmus/Sokrates or other programs

www.connecticum.de

www.aiesec.org

www.iaeste.de/cms/index.php?id=60



Job Seeking Strategies

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Finding a Job in Germany

Job Seeking Methods:

Internet

EURES - network

Private agencies

Temporary employment agencies

Job fairs

Direct contact with employers

Newspapers

Yellow pages


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Finding a Job in Germany

Useful Internet Addresses

www.arbeitsagentur.de (German Federal Employment Agency)

www.meinestadt.de (regional online portals)

www.careergardens.de (careers fairs)

www.gelbeseiten.de (Yellow Pages)

www.branchenbuch.de (information about companies)

http://eures.europa.eu (EU-Commission/EURES)

www.ba-auslandsvermittlung.de (ZAV)


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www.arbeitsagentur.de


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www.eures.europa.eu.de


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Newspapers

Die Zeit � academic professions (every Thursday)

FAZ – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung � weekends

VDI-Nachrichten � engineering professions

Handelsblatt � economists

Süddeutsche Zeitung

Die Welt


Applying for a Job

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What do German employers expect from you?

Good working knowledge of German - written and spoken

English is a plus

Professional experience in the relevant sector

Motivation

Assertiveness

Able to work in a team


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Basic-Rules

Applications should be short and precise

Documents should be typed on a computer

Avoid any mistakes in your application (grammar/spelling/layout)

Letter of motivation should be suited to the employer addressed and the position sought

Documents should be adapted to the company


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Applying for a Job

In a DIN A 4 folder (usually plastic):

Cover letter (typed)

Curriculum Vitae (tabular)

Photo is necessary (good quality, nice and serious looking)

Copies of school leaving certificates, university degrees and proof of any professional training

Copies of testimonials and letters of reference

Employers will expect German-language translations of your documents!


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Your CV should be written in the following order:

Name, address, date of birth, marital status

School

Training / University

Practical training

Work experience

Other important data (voluntary work)

Languages

Other skills (personal interests, hobbies, etc.)

Location, date, signature

� not more than 2 pages!


Seite 23Arbeiten und Leben im Ausland 2011, © Bundesagentur für Arbeit

europass


When you have found a Job

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As an employee you…

Will get an income tax card from your local authority which you should pass on to your employer

Must register with a health insurer and inform your employer

Will be registered with social security, your health insurer, pension fund and the Federal Employment Agency

Will get your social insurance number and card (through your employer)


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If you are self employed:

Types of businesses � registered companies (Gewerbetreibende)� freelance professions (Freie Berufe)

Registration for registered companies:� register your company at the Trade Office (Gewerbeamt) in the

municipality in which you wish to open your business. � The Trade Office will inform all the other authorities (e.g. tax office,

accident insurance fund, local court).

Registration for freelance professions:� Freelances do not register with the

Trade Office, just the tax office. � You will get a tax number.



Social Security & Taxes

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Social Security

5 branches of the Social Security System:

Health Insurance

Unemployment Insurance

Pension

Invalidity Insurance

Accident Insurance

Please find detailed information in English at

www.deutsche-sozialversicherung.de


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Social Security

Social Insurance Rates:

Employer – Employee = 50 : 50

Health Insurance approx. 15%

Unemployment Insurance approx. 3 %

Pension approx. 20%

Invalidity Insurance approx. 2%

Accident Insurance employer 100 %


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Taxes

P. A. Y. E. (Pay As You Earn)

� Automatically deducted from employee’s salary:

Income tax � 16 % - 45 %

Church tax � 8 % - 10 % of income tax (voluntary)

Solidarity tax� 5.5 % of income tax (to finance thereconstruction of the former GDR)


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Money Matters

In addition to your travel costs you will need enough money to cover your housing, food and other expenses until you receive your first wage from your employer

Even if you find a job immediately, you can expect to wait up to one or two months for your first wage


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Costs of Living

Butter (250 g) 1.40 €

Bread 2.50 €

Cinema ticket 8.00 €

Soft drink in a restaurant 2.50 €

Meal in a restaurant 14.00 €

The north of Germany is less expensive than the south

Many products have a Poundto Euro exchange rate of 1:1


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Housing

350 to 600 € per month for 50 sqm(1 bedroom, 1 living room, kitchen and bathroom)

Mostly unfurnished (even without kitchen)

In cities parking is often not included (approx. 100 € per month)

Landlords often ask for a work contract orproof of income

East and north of Germany is less expensive

Register your address at the city registrationoffice after moving in


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Gross Salaries

engineer ca. 3,000 - 4,400 € p./m.

master degree (craftsmen/industry) ca. 2,300 - 3,800 € p./m.

fitter (trade) ca. 1,500 - 1,600 € p./m.

office clerk ca. 1,800 - 2,100 € p./m.

nurse ca. 1,800 - 2,300 € p./m.

There is no official minimum wage!

Salaries are in general bound by a

collective tariff agreement!


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Any Questions?

Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV)Bundesagentur für ArbeitVillemombler Straße 7653123 BonnE-Mail: [email protected].: + 49 (0) 228 713 - 13 13


L&W in Germany - Handout

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