Moving from the UK and looking for a job

I am looking to move to Germany (the Nordrhein-Westfalen) to be with my girlfriend.

As I will be living on the Dutch border near a town called Selfkant, I am thinking that securing a job in Holland/Belgium would be easier; especially as these countries in general speak more English than Germany.

I am in the process of learning German via Rosetta Stone, books and a course at the local college.

Due to the fact that I currently do not speak German, I am looking at making the move in approximately a year, but would prefer to move across as soon possible; but this depends on securing a suitable job.

Does anybody have any ideas about job hunting and the best way to go about it?

I have extensive experience within the UK job market both researching posts for myself and employing people and I just wanted to know how things may differ.

In the UK I use Employment Agencies (for both when I am looking for a job and when looking to employ somebody!) as well as the local papers and online job boards.

Earlier on in my working life, I did a blanket mailing of my CV to suitable companies by harvesting their details from online lists such as the Yellow Pages. Are there any similar/suitable lists or sites for Holland/
Germany?

Also I am interested in what procedures companies go through in both Holland and Germany during the job application process and what happens following an actual job offer.

In the UK I would expect, for the type of jobs that I would be applying for, to register my name with a specialist Employment Agency to be vetted and then for the agency to put forward me to suitable companies. The companies would then interview me up to three times with some requesting psychometric testing before making an offer.

When they offer the job, they typically want two references but as of yet, I have not had been required medicals or anything else.

Any help would be greatly appreciated (especially as my girlfriend is complaining that I’m not there often enough!!).

Many thanks in advance.

Neil

Try http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/
German national agency (Government) - "Employment Exchange" etc.
I've found a few jobs using it.

Jeremy,
Many thanks - i have been to a branch already with my better half when over in Germany but (as with the British ones!!) didnt find it too helpful.

But i do check every so often just in case......

Many thanks for the advice though.

Neil

I meant the "Jobs Vacant" part of their Internet site.
You specify what your occupation is and put in your PLZ
(Postleitzahl - or the first 1 or 3 or 3 digits of same).
Also full time or part time etc.
If nothing else it gives you an idea of the market and sometimes even
pay rates.