Job Opportunities in Germany – Top Paying Jobs & Salaries

Germany welcomes immigrants for employment purposes, especially skilled and qualified workers in various fields and disciplines. Being Europe’s largest and world’s 5th biggest economy, there are numerous career opportunities in Germany for foreigners who have specialized qualifications and attributes. Germany also has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the European Union (EU) at 3.09% as of May 2020. This is quite lower than the Eurozone and EU averages of 7.4% and 6.7% respectively. In some zones of Southern Germany like Bavaria, the rates of unemployment are even lower than this threshold. This points to abundant job opportunities for Indian students and other international aspirants. 

Studies have shown that 1/3rd of non-EU migrants in 2010-11 found work in only 12 months in Germany although things have changed since then over the years. Germany can offer ample job opportunities to those students who have specialized skills and knowledge. Students hailing from outside of EEA/EU countries are required to apply for their extended residence permits for working in Germany. This may be extended for finding jobs in the country by a period of 18 months. You will require proof of health insurance, passport, proof of finances and proof of completing studies from the respective university/college. The educational qualifications in Germany should be recognized and ideally you should have B1 level of proficiency in the German language based on CEFR. The latter will help you find better career opportunities in Germany after completing your course.

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Job opportunities in Germany for Indians- High paying industries 

Germany houses some of the world’s biggest companies and is majorly a powerhouse in the global automotive sector. Some of the largest German powerhouses include Daimler, Volkswagen, BMW, Allianz, Bosch, Siemens, Deutsche Telekom and more. 90% of businesses in Germany comprises SMEs (small and medium enterprises), providing 2/3rds of all employment opportunities in the country. 

Germany has one of Europe’s lowest unemployment rates. Average salaries at large companies may range from 55, 000 Euros annually at Volkswagen to 97, 000 Euros at Deutsche Telekom. Average salaries at these big firms can range between 60, 000 to 80, 000 Euros annually. The job market still welcomes the influx of highly skilled foreign workers who have language proficiency for employment at the very highest levels. 

Read More: How to study in Germany for free for Indian Students?

Different job roles in Germany with minimum wages

There are numerous kinds of jobs in Germany for Indians and other international students that you can take a closer look at. Here is taking a look at salaries (annual) and various job sectors in the country: 

• Banking & Finance- 83, 371 Euros 
• Telecom- 72, 626 Euros 
• Insurance- 82, 554 Euros
• Consulting- 75, 956 Euros 
• Engineering- 71, 134 Euros 
• Utilities- 71, 747 Euros 
• IT- 72, 582 Euros 
• Transport- 72, 020 Euros 
• Legal- 65, 907 Euros
• Medicine- 71, 169 Euros

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How to find jobs in Germany? 

There is an abundance of opportunities for jobs in Germany for Indian freshers that you can take a closer look at. Here are some ways that you can find jobs in Germany: 

• If you have a university degree from Germany, you can easily get a residence permit with the right to apply in the employment market. You can apply for this permit after finishing your studies and this will remain valid for up to 18 months for finding your job. You should have proof of covering living costs for this period. 
• Expatica job is one portal that emphasizes on expats and other English-speaking jobs in the country. You will find numerous updated jobs here for English speakers and those speaking other languages as well, throughout numerous industries and business sectors. 
• If you hail from the EEA, EU, or Switzerland, you may seek a job in Germany via the EURES (European Employment Services) official portal. EURES is a job portal network that lies within the aegis of the European Commission and aims at supporting free movement within the EEA itself. Along with seeking work, you may upload your CV while obtaining guidance on administrative and legal issues involved in working in the country. Autumn and spring job fairs are also held by EURES. 
• The Federal Employment Agency is the biggest provider of labor market services in Germany and has a network encompassing more than 700 agencies and offices throughout the whole country. The International Placement Service offers details about available work opportunities, inclusive of casual work. You may post a profile on the job portal including information about your qualifications and experience, the type of job and position that you are looking for, and so on. 
• There are several other job websites that you can try looking for jobs in Germany including Monster, Kimeta, Jobooh, JobStairs, Kununu, and MeineStellenboersen. You can also try The Local, Top language jobs, Craigslist, and English jobs along with Academics, Staufenbiel, Jobware, and Stepstone. 
• You may approach recruitment agencies that are required to be members of the Federal Employer’s Association of Personnel Service Providers or BAP (Bundesarbeitgeberverband der Personaldienstleister). 

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How do I prepare to enter Germany? 

You must keep some vital steps in mind for this purpose: 

• Get your qualifications suitably recognized. 
• Write your resume and applications to companies with cover letters. German companies will focus not just on resumes but also cover letters. 
• Get health insurance which is compulsory in Germany. 
• Have proficiency in the German language, at least till the B1 level. 
• Check your eligibility for the EU Blue Card which enables qualified candidates to work and live in the country. You should have an employment contract with a gross annual income of 55, 200 Euros and a recognized degree from a university. If you are working in the natural science, IT, engineering, human medicine or mathematics sectors, gross annual salary should be 43, 056 Euros annually. This card will enable you to remain in Germany for three extra months on the job contact and is limited to a stay of four years. Holding the EU Blue Card for 33 months will give you eligibility for the settlement permit for Germany. 

Also Read: Important Resources About Germany:

Programs that can help you build a better career in Germany 

There are numerous programs that may enable a better career in Germany. These include dentistry, medicine, law, industrial engineering, natural sciences, IT, and information technology-related fields like data science or cyber security, business management, mathematics, computer science, architecture, economics and more. There are several innovative courses that will help you advance your prospects in the German job market while saving costs at the same time. 

For example, you can opt for the Master’s in Cyber Security course or the master’s degree in Data Science or even the Master’s in International Management available through upGrad Abroad. You can save up to INR 20 lakh on these courses courtesy of the hybrid 1-year online and 1-year on-campus study (in Germany) model. You can also expect average salaries hovering around INR 45 lakh post-completion of these courses. You can study at a reputed German university and save costs significantly while advancing your job prospects thereafter. There are many such innovative courses available that you should check out. 

Read More: Germany vs. Canada: Which is better for study abroad?

Important Documents 

Here are some important documents that you may need:  

• Permit to work in Germany
• Taxpayer Identification Number
• Social Security Card
• Certificate of Leave from earlier employer
• Health Insurance Card 
• Bank details for wage/salary transfer 

The documents are not kept by your employer; they are only verified, and copies are made of the same before they are returned to you. 

Some other documents include the following: 

• Gesundheitsbescheinigung- Health certificate for youngsters getting employment for the very first time. 
• Schwerbehindertennachweis- Disability confirmation if applicable. 
• Kindergeldbescheinigung- Certificate of getting child benefits, applicable only for Government employees. 
• Gesundheitscheck- Health examination certificate; required for some professions like medicine or for those working with food products. 
• Unterlagen für vermögenswirksame Leistungen(VL)- Documents regarding funded payments; for instance, if there is the establishment of the LBS-Bausparkonto account. 
• Kindergeldbescheinigung- Certificate of getting child benefits, applicable solely for Government employees.

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