Around 65 percent of HR managers now believe that Quereinsteiger (career-changers) drive innovation in companies – a major rise from just 43 percent the previous year, according to a new survey by the market research institute Appinio for the jobs network Xing.
The same study found that 61 percent of HR professionals see Quereinsteiger as key to alleviating Germany’s skilled labour shortage.
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Why are 'Quereinsteiger' in such demand?
The German term Quereinsteiger literally translates as “person making a lateral career move.”
It refers to someone who enters a new profession without the traditional qualifications or direct experience in that field. Instead, they bring skills and perspectives from other industries.
Seemingly, the concept is gaining significant traction among German employers facing persistent shortages of skilled workers and seeking fresh ideas to stay competitive.
The Appinio-Xing survey, which polled 300 HR managers and 2,000 employees, underscores this trend.
Not only do most HR professionals now value the innovative potential of career-changers, but 44 percent of employees have considered switching industries, and 26 percent have already done so.
Younger workers, particularly those from Generation Z, are even more open to such moves, with half considering a career change and one in five having made the leap already.
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Where are career-changers most in demand?
“Growing industries are particularly open to career-changers,” according to Wolfram Tröger, Vice President of the Federal Association of German Management Consultants (BDU), in comments reported by ntv.
Frank Hensgens, Managing Director of recruitment portal Indeed, added that roles in sales, logistics, transportation, retail, and healthcare are especially accessible to Quereinsteiger due to acute labour shortages.
Communication skills and determination are highly valued in these fields, often more so than formal qualifications.
The education sector is also increasingly open to newcomers, as schools and training institutions seek to fill gaps left by retiring staff.
Additionally, there is evidence that German defence firms including Rheinmetall are recruiting Quereinsteiger from the auto industry.
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However, not all industries are equally welcoming. Highly specialised fields, where years of specific training and experience are essential, may not be as open to applicants without the requisite background.
Why this matters now
For many, the motivation to change careers can stem from personal dissatisfaction, a desire for more meaningful work, or the pursuit of a better work-life balance.
For employers, career-changers often bring valuable soft skills – such as adaptability, communication and a willingness to learn – that can enrich teams and foster innovation.
But the evolving job market, with some industries shrinking and others expanding, undoubtedly plays a role as well.
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Recently, the founder of a jobs portal told The Local that Germany is currently experiencing an employers’ market – and evidence is growing that this may be the case for some time to come.
According to the Family Business Owners Association around one in four family businesses plans to cut jobs in the coming year, with only a minority looking to expand their workforce.
Bureaucracy and economic uncertainty are cited as major obstacles in the study, prompting many firms to downsize or freeze hiring.
Overall, around 36 percent of companies in Germany are planning to cut jobs in the coming year, according to a recent survey by the employer-friendly Cologne Institute for Economic Research.
These finding underscore the growing importance of flexibility and the ability to apply transferable skills in new environments.
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