Advice on quickest way to get a visa and a job

Hello all,

Flying to Germany this Saturday, With no Visa or German Speaking knowledge, on a one way ticket.
What would be your best advice for getting a quick job and to get a working visa?

Thanks,

Jim Kennedy

What's your skill set?

Ok so in your position I think the quickest way to get a job (and the appropriate permits with it) would be to teach English at a language school. I think you need to freelance for 2 schools as an American to get a work permit. Try Berlitz, Inlingua, LSI.

Sorry for the delay on the response.

I´m now in Frankfurt. Can I teach english, if I can not speak German.
I have a Accounting and MIS (IT) degree from Florida State. I´ve been in the IT industry for 5 years.
Right about now I´m thinking what did I do? Thanks for the replys.

Jim

Without knowing more, and without being an expert on this myself, I would suggest that you contact consulting firms to see about getting placements. As a non-EU citizen, you can't do temporary work, and teaching English does not pay well. From what I have heard, establishing yourself as an English teacher takes some time, so I would try to get hired based upon my IT skills and work experience if I were you. You can get some English teaching without speaking German, but you will almost certainly get the lowest pay and the most unfavorable situations. I would also think that having English teacher on your otherwise IT resume is not beneficial. You can stay for 90 days without a visa, and that might affect things for you.

Some people here on Toytown have suggested eurolondon.com, so you might want to contact them. Of course, by all means look for openings at big firms since they have experience in getting non-EU citizens approved for work permits. They have to prove no EU citizen or holder of a German permanent residence permit called a Niederlassungserlaubnis is available to do the job, but I have heard from some people that if the job requires a high skill set, it is more likely to get approved quickly. Most of the unemployed here are unskilled or semi-skilled workers.

Good luck...

I think you should try the American Army Base in Wiesbaden or Darmstadt...they always seem to have vacancies for Americans and you only need english!
Ciao,
Gail

If you don't speak German the odds of getting a job is slim. A great percentage (about 20%) of Germans are unemployed. Most of the bases in this area are closing by year 2010. You might try working at Rammstein or Vilseck. I suggest you obtain a GS type job through the US govt. Good luck with your endeavours.

Jim, how are things going for you so far?

The average unemployment rate for germany in August 2007 was 8,8%. It might be 10% for the year and lot more if you just look at eastern germany. Anyway - general unemployment figures dont say much about someones chances to find employment. Certain specialists for example are desparatly needed by the german industry.
Check your facts.

Hello Conquistador,

Good and bad, I've had some help with converting my resume into a german format. Went to the Embassy to get the Affidavet(not sure if I spelled that right) --to show that I'm not running from the law, but for the most case, I have been denied bsecause I do not speck german. Going to the army bases Monday. On tuesday I have an appointment with Manpower to see if they have anything available. Thanks for asking.

Jim

Here's a website for civilian jobs with the U.S. Army. Good luck!

You may want to take a look at http://www.jobware.de/misc/ppc/index-ppc.h...CFQTmlAodGyqB8w
http://www.stellenanzeigen.de/stellenangeb...p;selektionid=7 (if you PM me I can translate some things from this website for you if I have time)

Hopefully, you have copies of your university transcript and any training certificates/IT certifications. Written references from employers are required by law here, so if you have those it will be to your advantage.

I would suggest looking fo firms in similar industries to those in which you worked previously; yes, lanaguage may be an issue with them, but it is something to consider, as well as positions that are most similar to ones you have previously held.

If you get into a pinch, I think you can apply for a freelance visa for teaching English if you have offers from more than one language school. I think you will find a lot of information on that if you use the search function in the upper right hand corner.

Not trying to discourage you, but IT jobs at US bases here normally go to exiting servicemembers who have the contacts.

Hello Everyone,

Just to give everyone an update. I have been offered a really low paying job on the airbase. It will keep me here to continue looking.
I have a interview at a bank and for another company that have contracts with the base. Hopefully I can get one of those jobs. Thanks for the post.
Now I must move on to my second phase. A place to live ---Looking for something short term for a month --that will give me time to look around and figure things out. If anyone has room --just let me know--Just need to be their a month. I can pay 300-400. Thanks again

Jim

Congrats! It might not be your dream job, but it's a start.

Hey Jim,
hope everything has gone well so far? If you want I can show you around in Frankfurt.
Have a great week
Funda

Wow, lots of people with cool names on here. jfk, whitestallion...