How I Landed My First Job in Germany (and How You Can Too!)
Over the past few weeks, I’ve received numerous messages on LinkedIn from international people living in Germany and abroad, all asking for help to find a job. And while I genuinely wish I could assist each of you one-on-one, the truth is, I can't. Finding a job requires a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, and that work has to come from you.
But what I can do is share the exact framework I used to find my first job in Germany – a framework that led to an unpaid internship, then a paid one, then a full-time job, and eventually even helped me start my own company, Destination Germany. This isn't just theory; it's a battle-tested approach that has worked for me, and I believe it can work for you too, no matter what the job market looks like.
For those new to my corner of the internet, I'm Chandrasen, originally from India, and I've called Germany home for over a decade. I’m now a German citizen and incredibly passionate about international recruitment, which is what my company, Destination Germany, is all about. Having navigated the journey of an immigrant myself, I know the challenges and triumphs firsthand. Moving to Germany transformed my life positively, making me kinder, more humble, and truly grounded. My mission, both through my company and this blog/YouTube channel, is to share these insights and help others make Germany their destination.
My Journey: From Zero German Skills to a Thriving Career
Let me tell you a quick story about how this framework came to be.
Back in 2010, I moved to Germany to pursue my Master's degree in International Business and Engineering. Pretty quickly, it became clear that the subjects I was studying wouldn't lead to a job in Germany without fluent German skills, which I didn't have. My master's studies felt too basic, not specializing me in anything.
So, right from my first semester, I started my own research. My goal was simple: find a booming field in Germany with high demand but low talent supply, and crucially, a field where I had genuine interest to learn and grow.
After two to three months of intense research, countless conversations with professionals, and gathering as much data as possible, I discovered data science and data analytics. This field checked all my boxes.
As soon as I found it, I dove in headfirst. While attending my master's classes, working part-time as a cleaner in restaurants to cover expenses, I dedicated 3-4 hours every single day at the library to learn data science and analytics. Keep in mind, this was a completely new world for me; I had never coded or even used Excel before! But I was hooked. For six straight months, I immersed myself in learning Excel, SQL, Python, and R to collect, clean, and analyze data.
This willingness to learn a completely new, challenging field from scratch, alongside my studies and part-time work, is what I believe differentiates those who get the job from those who don't.
The Hustle: Applying, Learning, and Standing Out
While mastering data science, I started applying for internships. Given my non-traditional background in this field, it was tough. I sent over 300 applications before finally landing an unpaid internship in Berlin. I immediately accepted it! My main motivation wasn't money, but the opportunity to put my newfound theoretical knowledge into practice and gain real-world skills.
That unpaid internship was invaluable. It led to a paid internship, which then led to my first full-time job – all in business intelligence and data analytics. And throughout this entire journey, I never stopped learning, continuously upgrading my skills to be resourceful to the companies I worked for.
One crucial aspect that set me apart was my application strategy. I didn't just send my CV and cover letter. I researched the companies thoroughly, tried to understand their problems, reached out to people working there to gain insights, and then – this is key – I presented solutions to those problems within my application. Yes, it's time-consuming, but it makes you stand out from the crowd.
It’s about having a mindset of how you can add value to the company, rather than feeling entitled to the job. Many international talents I speak with simply apply and wait, but to genuinely compete, you need to show your interest and present yourself as a problem-solver.
My Job Search Framework: Your Blueprint for Success
So, let's summarize the framework that has proven successful for me, and which I believe you can apply to any job market, especially Germany:
Identify High-Demand, Low-Supply Fields: Research and find areas where there's a significant need for skilled professionals but a scarcity of talent. This is your sweet spot for entry.
Embrace Learning from Scratch: Be ready to start from the ground up. If you find a field you genuinely enjoy learning about, the effort will feel less like work and more like a passion. Dedicate the hours to acquire new skills and upgrade yourself. There's no substitute for hard work.
Focus on Value Addition: When applying, shift your mindset from "getting a job" to "solving problems." Think about how you can be a valuable teammate and contribute to the company's success.
Master the Language (for Germany): This is non-negotiable for the German market. You need to learn German well enough to converse effectively with colleagues and integrate into the local culture. I'm not talking about just B1/B2 certificates; I mean genuine conversational fluency. Living here means embracing the language, and it will exponentially increase your chances of success.
Applying the Framework in Today's Market (2025/2026)
If I were looking for a job in Germany right now (mid-2025), here’s what I'd do:
Given the current AI hype, my immediate thought would be: How can I make my profile AI-ready? Every company is exploring AI implementation, and aligning yourself with this trend is crucial.
If you're a frontend developer, gain skills in AI for software development. This immediately makes you more attractive than someone without those additional AI skills.
If you're in logistics or operations, research AI tools and skillsets that can make you more efficient in your role.
Adding these AI-related skills will make you stand out, signaling to hiring managers that you're forward-thinking and equipped for the future.
And again, for Germany: LEARN GERMAN. No excuses. Your ability to converse in German will give you a significant competitive edge.
I truly hope this framework helps you in your job search journey in Germany.