INTERVIEW: 'The biggest hurdle for foreign jobseekers is not speaking fluent German'

With several companies announcing restructures and layoffs, the labour market in Germany may feel discouraging for those that are unemployed and searching for a job. 

READ ALSO: Which companies in Germany are planning to cut jobs?

Adding to the volatile atmosphere is that many people in their jobs feel dissatisfied, resulting in a lot of applicants applying for the same role. 

Hamburg-based careers expert Kevin Kocher, managing director of Immigrant Spirit - which helps foreign nationals find jobs - told The Local's Germany in Focus podcast there was "turmoil" and "turnover in the job market".

"There's a lot of people looking around, looking for something new," he said.

"And you combine that with the layoffs - this is making it a very competitive atmosphere right now."

Kocher said that the high competition for roles currently is one of the big challenge for foreign jobseekers who are looking to settle in Germany this year. 

"There's just a lot of cycling through to figure out what's what's the right fit, because there's a lot of change going on," he said. 

Requirements to speak fluent German

Although English is spoken regularly at lots of firms in Germany, a recurring issue that international residents also face when applying for jobs is not being able to speak advanced fluent German. 

Just four percent of job postings in Germany are currently in English, according to experts.

Kocher said most companies "will not evaluate your candidacy" if applicants don't have C1 level German skills.

"One of the biggest challenges is learning German to a point and getting up to speed where you can feel comfortable enough to be in an interview, and then actually secure a job and prove that you can be flexible, and still learn German on the job," said Kocher. 

READ ALSO: Better childcare to quicker visas - How Germany wants to attract more workers

Germany is struggling with a well-publicised labour shortage, with thousands of vacancies going unfulfilled. Many companies are looking for foreign talent to help fill positions, while visa rules are being eased by the German government. 

But as Chris Pyak, former head of Immigrant Spirit, told The Local's Germany in Focus podcast last year in an interview, recruiters and human resource departments in Germany are slow to adapt and still call for fluent German even when it is not always essential for the job in question. 

Kocher says he believes the situation is changing slightly as more bosses realise the extent of the worker shortage but that more flexibility could be offered.

"There's a need for international workers," said Kocher, citing the estimates that around 400,000 immigrants will be needed each year on average to fill jobs as older people in the German workforce retire.

Kocher said foreign nationals may end up choosing another country to settle in if Germany doesn't become more flexible on this issue. 

Is it possible to get a job in Germany without advanced German skills - or even none at all?

Yes, depending on the line of work and company you're applying at.

For example, in many startup scenes, English is a commonly spoken language. There are plenty of startups offering a variety of jobs in Germany, particularly in Berlin, Munich and across the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. 

Kocher said some well-known large firms are also a good option for English speakers. 

"So you've got Zalando, a major company in Berlin - also highly competitive - always has English speaking roles," he said, adding: "As well as Adidas (which has headquarters near Nuremberg) - those are two clear ones.

"There's some American companies that have presences here like FreshWorks in Berlin. You've got a NinjaOne in Berlin as well, I believe that recently was hiring English speakers."

Kocher added that with around 350 companies in Germany regularly hiring English speakers or posting their job ads in English, "it's very limited".

READ ALSO: Which Bavarian-based companies regularly hire English speakers?

Seek support from professionals or common connections

For anyone struggling to find work in Germany as an English speaker, Kocher recommends seeking a mentor or enlisting the help of a careers coach to .

"My tip would be: don't be afraid to find some help and find either a mentor or someone who has gone through the experience as well or is going through the experience right now so you can brainstorm, share ideas.

"Two brains - at least - is always better than one. And this could also be finding resources online, you know, in your niche or, like I said, someone who's run a similar path or has a similar story to you."

Kocher said networking and using sites like LinkedIn are also helpful.

"It's so valuable to dig deep into who's who in certain positions in the cities that that you want to live in.

"Is there any - one, two, three - common connection that I have, that I could search on these networks, that that could get me into a conversation with these people? Because if someone know someone that knows you, then this automatically boosts your credibility, that someone can vouch for you. And that's super important right now, that someone can speak for you, or you can get into the right conversation."