IT’S HARD TO GET PROMOTED AT GERMAN COMPANIES
What’s on this week?
It’s difficult to change jobs at companies. Our next Professional Women in Berlin Networking Dinner is upon us. Tips for avoiding burn-out. Ameldung’s possible – ONLINE!
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Authentic Stories: Enjoy a personal touch from me with stories, rants, and reflections that make the newsletter informative and enjoyable.
⭐ “Can I just say, even though I live in Munich and am not looking for a job – I LOVE your newsletter. Anyone who is a German expat should sign up for it – a lot of value, humanity, and humor in there.”
- Eleanor, Munich
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Personal News & Musings
The “Advice From a Career Coach” feature will return next week, as I have so much good news to share today. 💕
First off, I refreshed my CV and cover letter review service. If you find yourself not getting responses to job applications in Germany, I can help you create a strong, market-ready CV and cover letter to get you invited to more interiews.
As a gift, I’m offering a special limited-time €10 discount to anyone who books a service this week. 👉 Check out the new page and make a booking!
Second, I scheduled our next Professional Women in Berlin Networking Dinner. Join us on Wednesday, October 16.
Why should you attend?
⭐ Meet other female professionals in Berlin.
⭐ Enjoy friendly conversations.
⭐ Expand your social and professional network by staying connected with other attendees.
Community News
🤝 News from our community.
⭐ Our last poll asked: Have you been able to change jobs or get promoted at a German company? The results were all over the map, and, in my opinion, they were way too skewed towards being blocked by the manager or not even getting a chance to interview.
⭐ Take part in this week’s poll: Has your German company laid people off over the last year due to the current economy?
⭐ This week’s featured Berlin Life guides: Are There English Speaking Jobs In Germany? and FAQ: Unsolicited (or Cold) Applications In Germany.
⭐ Read last week’s newsletter: Changing Your Career or Growing Within Your Company in Germany. For our past editions, see our archives.
⭐ Gentle reminder: We’re looking for foreign women working in tech to share their employment experiences in Germany. Fill out this form to be featured in an upcoming article.
⭐ Support us: You can help amplify what we do by a simple follow on social media —find us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads. You can also join our job-seeker support group.
Food For Thought
💡 Interesting articles about the world of work and other random things.
⭐ Are you feeling the burn at work? Here are six tips about how to deal with it.
⭐ As humans, we’re expected to deliver perfection continually in our lives. It doesn’t make us happy, so how about celebrating the merits of mediocrity?
⭐ Bad news out of the US – “Announced job cuts totaled 75,891 in August, 193% higher than July.”
⭐ Don’t worry. Sifted offers tips on how to find a tech job in this challenging market.
⭐ Talent Berlin is hosting a job fair on September 25 at Olympia Stadium. If you’re a job seeker, this is your chance to meet employers; best of all, admission is free.
⭐ If you’re a foreigner in Germany and you’re nervous about traveling now that new border measures are in place, check out this post from Migrapreneur for tips on ensuring a smooth travel experience and what to do should you find yourself in a bad situation.
Companies Hiring
🇩🇪 Companies in Germany hiring right now.
⭐ Blacklane (Berlin, 9 jobs, EN required)
⭐ Freshworks (Berlin, 5 jobs, EN & DE required)
⭐ OVERKILL (Berlin, 5 jobs, EN &/or DE required)
⭐ NIO (Various locations, 15 jobs, EN & DE required)
⭐ Renewables Academy (Berlin, 3 jobs, EN required)
🇩🇪 German startups that recently raised new funding also have vacancies.
⭐ DeepDrive (€30 M) | Munich | Jobs
⭐ Flink (€150 M) | Berlin | Jobs
⭐ Freda (Undisclosed seven figures) | Passau | Jobs
⭐ Phlair (€14.5 M) | Munich | Jobs
⭐ Noah Labs (€3 M) | Berlin | Jobs
⭐ Reactive Robotics (€5 M) | Munich | Jobs
⭐ SIRIUS (€4 M) | Berlin | Jobs
⭐ smalt (€8 M) | Berlin | Jobs
⭐ Symphera (€2.4 M) | Munich | Jobs
⭐ VidLab7 (€3.5 M) | Munich | Jobs
ℹ️ We share new job postings every single day on LinkedIn. Follow us.
General News
⭐ Three of the worst airports in Europe happen to be in Germany.
⭐ Miracles do happen! 🤯 You’ll be able to register your apartment online in Berlin come October.
⭐ Germany’s population is getting old, like really old, with more people living past 100.
⭐ Residents of Berlin can get up to €200 to repair their older electronics.
⭐ It might be the best transit system in the world, but the BVG admits it has to cancel every 15th trip.
⭐ One of Berlin’s most famous clubs, Watergate, will close on NYE.
⭐ Germany and Turkey continue to battle it out over Döner Kebab.
Political Hot Topics:
⭐ There’s a chance a national election could be forced on us sooner rather than later. If that’s the case, meet Friedrich Merz, Germany’s aspiring chancellor.
⭐ Members of Germany’s LGBTQ+ community are concerned with the growth of the far-right.
⭐ If you’re new to Germany, familiarize yourself with the AfD by reading up on these key facts.
Economic Buzz:
⭐ Intel has stopped plans for its factory in Germany, and Volkswagon hasn’t been doing so hot either, with thousands of jobs on the line.
⭐ The economy is being affected; sentiment is at an 11-month low, and overall, the country is suffering from a “rude awakening.”
⭐ It’s not all bad. Germany plans to contribute €12 B to fund startups between now and 2030. Also, Mercedes wants to make battery-powered trucks a thing.
Labor Market Developments:
⭐ Um, what? 49% of German employers do not favor paid maternity leave.
⭐ Read how Germany is using African labor to attempt to rebuild its economy.
⭐ Fruits and vegetables we enjoy are sadly made possible through migrant labor who work in hellish conditions for less than half of Germany’s minimum wage.
Immigration Happenings:
⭐ Here’s how to stay in Germany after you’ve finished your study abroad period.
⭐ Foreigners living in East Germany are caught between Germany’s anti-immigration rhetoric and a country that desperately needs them.
⭐ Paywalled (but worth reading): How having a foreign-sounding name profoundly impacts your life in Germany.
Fun and Useful:
⭐ Foodie news for Berliners: Your guide to jerk chicken in Berlin and Mexican goodness at Mama Rosas Taqueria.
⭐ Stuff to do for Berliners: Get your game on at Electric Social, a new arcade near Alexanderplatz, or peruse these current art exhibitions. You can also attend various parties to experience the capital’s take on Oktoberfest.
⭐ If you want to skip Munich’s overrated Oktoberfest, head to Bamburg for the more sophisticated version.
⭐ Frankfurt is hosting a hobby horse competition, and it’s as weird as it sounds.
⭐ Arnold Schwarzenegger received an honourary doctorate this week in Berlin.
⭐ After hosting the Eurocup, Germany hopes to host the Women’s Eurocup in 2029.
How We Can Help
😇 Good stuff from the Berlin Life.
⭐ Connect with local professionals with our LinkedIn Connect and Exchange list.
⭐ Save money with our partners as you settle into your new life in Germany.
⭐ Read our 50+ free guides to living, working, and moving to Germany.
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Cheryl Howard, Founder @ The Berlin Life
Hi, I’m Cheryl. My mission is to help you move to Berlin and find work.
A Canadian in Berlin for 10+ years, I have the unique experience of moving to Berlin – not once, but twice. During my time in Berlin, I’ve had five different visas and worked as both a freelancer and a permanent employee for numerous Berlin companies. I even managed to find a new job during the pandemic and again in 2023, during Germany’s recession and massive layoffs in tech.
My day job has involved work as a hiring manager, overseeing the recruitment of countless people, as well as a team coach helping teams and individuals work better and find happiness in their careers. Through my side projects, I’ve also shared my personal experiences by publishing a series of helpful blog posts, creating a thriving community of job seekers, and hosting events to help people find work in Berlin. In 2021, I decided to put my coaching and recruiting talents to use by creating The Berlin Life, bringing my existing content and community together in one spot.
The combination of my personal and professional experience means I know exactly what it takes to move to Berlin and find work.