Germany is one of the most inexpensive countries where you can choose to study abroad and an appealing country when it comes to student job opportunities. The country is one of the top European countries in terms of the number of people who look for a well-paid and rewarding job.
Germany has the fifth largest economy in the world and is a top destination for those who want to work overseas. Germany has a lot of job opportunities and is also facing a skills shortage as per recent reports. By 2030 Germany is expected to have a skills shortage of at least 3 million workers. This trend is expected to continue in 2020 and beyond. So, what are the jobs that will be in high demand in Germany in 2020?
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada - Apply before 31 December 2024 to get as low as 9.99% interest rate
Fortunately, the number of jobs available in Germany has seen an increase of over 1.2 million since 2014. This trend is expected to continue in 2020 and beyond. This means better job opportunities for overseas workers as well.
Having proficiency in a foreign language, such as German, can provide you with several career opportunities that might require bilingual knowledge. Whether you’re helping foreign customers with their product questions or overseeing diplomatic discussions with nations, learning German can allow you to pursue unique jobs and positions. In this article, we give you a list of jobs you can pursue in Germany.
Table of Contents
Careers you can pursue in Germany
Here is a breakdown of careers you can pursue in Germany
1. Customer service representative
National average salary: $13.45 per hour
Primary duties: Customer service representatives work for companies and organizations to provide product and service information to consumers. They often work in person, by email, or over the phone to answer any consumer questions or concerns and help resolve any product-related challenges. Because customer service representatives can be virtual, German-speaking individuals can pursue customer service jobs with foreign companies.
2. Tour guide
National average salary: $18.29 per hour
Primary duties: Tour guides use their skills of communication and presentation to inform tourists and other individuals about facts and trivia on different subjects. They often conduct their work in museums, zoos, and historical landmarks providing helpful information to patrons. Sometimes, tourists might come from different countries to enjoy an attraction, so tour guides who know German, or other languages, can provide better communication and assistance to those from foreign countries.
3. Interpreter
National average salary: $19.85 per hour
Primary duties: An interpreter converts spoken words or sign language into another language that others can understand. They can work in several capacities, such as a personal interpreter for foreigners, a sign language interpreter for hard-of-hearing, or a language interpreter for hospital patients. Understanding German and English can allow you to become an interpreter of both languages and give you the ability to work in an English-speaking country or a German-speaking country.
4. Immigration specialist
National average salary: $19.88 per hour
Primary duties: Immigration specialists work in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department and help foreigners through the immigration process. During their workday, they might monitor immigration programs, answer questions on the immigration process, and discuss different aspects of immigration law. Speaking a foreign language, such as German, can help you communicate more efficiently with certain immigrants and help them to the best of your ability.
5. Writer
National average salary: $26.28 per hour
Primary duties: Writers use their expert knowledge and understanding of language to craft professional documents, articles, and stories. They can work in different areas of written material, such as fiction and nonfiction, depending on their area of expertise. If you can read and write in German, it might be a good idea to pursue a writing career, creating stories in the German language or about the German language to help others learn.
6. Flight attendant
National average salary: $34,350 per year
Primary duties: Flight attendants are a part of the cabin crew for an airplane and work to provide help and comfort to the plane’s passengers. During their workday, they often answer passenger questions or concerns, demonstrate important safety procedures, and serve food and beverages. Understanding German and other languages can help you become a flight attendant on international airlines that travel to German-speaking countries.
7. Pilot
National average salary: $43,184 per year
Primary duties: Pilots are trained professionals who operate airplanes and other types of aircraft for both commercial and military purposes. They often work to transport people or cargo from one destination to the other, using skills of navigation and communication with air traffic control. Speaking and understanding German can help you become an international pilot with the ability to fly and travel to German-speaking countries.
8. Translator
National average salary: $47,044 per year
Primary duties: Translators work with written words and text to convert them into another language. They can work in many fields, including translating books for publishers, deciphering text from historical artifacts, or working as private translators for clients and companies. Though some translators can convert written words into either language they know, most find work transcribing their second language into their first because they can understand the grammatical nuances more easily.
9. Human resource specialist
National average salary: $49,162 per year
Primary duties: A human resource specialist works with a company or business to help them find, interview, and recruit new staff members and employees. They often work with the company’s CEO or senior manager to determine what employees they require and work to fill any human resource gaps. Businesses may also want to hire a human resource specialist who knows a second language, such as German, because it can provide the company with a larger pool of applicants, increasing their ability to find employees with the skills they need.
10. Foreign language teacher
National average salary: $55,777 per year
Primary duties: Foreign language teachers work with students to help them learn a new language. They can work at all levels of schooling and often provide students with important information, such as the language’s grammar, vocabulary and also an insight into the culture of some foreign countries. Knowing a second language, like German, can help you pursue a foreign language teaching position.
MUST WATCH: 8 In-Demand Jobs Most Companies Will Be Hiring By 2021 And Beyond
Why you should pursue a career in Germany
Germany is Europe’s largest economy and the fourth-largest globally. It’s a country with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world and boasts the headquarters of multinational companies like Adidas, Allianz, and SAP.
Here are five reasons you should pursue a career in Germany:
1. High employment rates
With an unemployment rate of 3.1%—compared with 3.6% in the US, and 8.5% in France—Germany boasts one of the lowest and most stable unemployment rates in the world. The automotive industry is the country’s largest employer, with Volkswagen leading the way—employing 645,000 people.
Ensuring jobs remain stable is typical of the German approach to collective purpose. A crucial part of German work culture, ‘Wir-gefühl’, or group cohesiveness, cements the importance of the team over the individual.
2. Diverse and exciting industries
The German automotive industry is well-known for being one of the largest in Europe, let alone the world. In 2018 alone, Germany exported 4 million cars, comprising a total value of $244 billion.
In recent years, Germany has become a hotbed for tech companies. Music streaming giant Soundcloud has its headquarters in Berlin, alongside Silicon Allee—a community for entrepreneurs that typifies the thriving tech startup scene. Not just limited to the capital, Leipzig is a hive for entrepreneurial activity, too. With an estimated 200-250 startups, it is cashing in on growing tech opportunities.
Tech and e-commerce is the most popular career path for HHL Leipzig MBA grads, where 25% of students are entering the industry. Martina Beermann, Director of Career Development at HHL Leipzig, outlines how Germany offers a diverse range of careers that you could benefit from.
“While most other schools have a high percentage of students go into consulting, we see a more diverse range of job roles for MBAs,” Martina says. HHL grads are finding work in manufacturing, pharma, financial services, energy, as well as consulting, to name a few. “We want to enable students to have rewarding and fulfilling careers,” Martina says. “It’s not just about the money.”
Navigating contacts in Germany is important in making the most of the vibrant economy. Tapping into HHL Leipzig’s 3,000-strong alumni network is a great way of finding guidance, knowledge, and further career opportunities. “The MBA teaches students how to network and explore the market,” Martina explains. “It’s a trustful relationship and one where students and alumni learn from each other.”
3. Opportunities for global talent
Germany is an international destination not just for big companies, but for students and professionals too. Big multinationals have their headquarters in Germany and seek international expertise.
There’s good news for internationals who decide to study in Germany. You’ll get access to an 18-month working visa once you’ve graduated, an opportunity to immediately launch your career in Germany after your studies are complete. 88% of HHL graduates start their post-MBA careers in Germany.
International diversity is reflected in higher education. At HHL, 90% of the full-time MBA class are international students, helping lend a global outlook to much of the curriculum.
4. A truly international economy
The German economy is dependent on international trade and has a growing global outlook. Especially within the cities of Germany, you’ll find English widely spoken – giving it a definite edge over the likes of Italy, Spain, and France, and a big reason for attracting international workers and students. Once a part of East Germany, Leipzig has certainly come a long way since the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
5. A great lifestyle alongside your career
While your job is important, so too is life outside of work. Alongside the economic opportunities, Germany is a country with a great lifestyle, culture, and fantastic work-life balance.
Suggested Opportunities
Leipzig is Germany’s fastest-growing city in terms of population – within Germany, it’s even known as ‘Hype-zig’ owing to its rapid growth and popularity. It’s a young city, with an average age of 42, but with a highly educated population nearly a third of Leipzig residents possessing a university degree. Germany is a great country to pursue a career, we hope the information we have shared will help you make the right choice of career to pursue.
