IT jobs in Frankfurt

Hello all!

I found this site a few weeks ago whilst looking for job information for Germany and thought I'd sign up and say hello

My girlfriend moved to Frankfurt back in February and after a few weeks it was clear that we couldn't keep apart for so long. So three weeks ago I decided to turn my life around, handed my notice in and announced to my friends and family that I'd be moving out there to live with her. Big decision but we're both VERY excited about it!

The only big thing I'm worried about is finding a job. My German is *very* basic although I am starting private lessons tomorrow but just one hour a week to begin with (think I'll have to increase that!) although I do speak pretty good French.

I would like to find work in the IT industry, either in hardware installation/management, 2nd or 3rd level IT support or web content management.

Does anyone here have any ideas or words of wisdom regarding jobs in this area? I can post my CV here or email it to anyone who may be interested, or know someone who is looking to fill such a position.

Many thanks in advance,
Leo

The TT jobs page has lots of listings for IT jobs, including a few in the Frankfurt area: Jobs in Germany

Hey Leo,

A good one for me when i was looking for jobs was www.jobpilot.de, you can narrow your search to look for job ads which are written in english. That's how I found my english-only job!

Another option is to try agencies such as Eurolondon, Allbecon, Adecco, Manpower/Bankpower, German Try and Hire. They may have something which doesn't involve a high level of German.

There are companies here which conduct all their business in English such as the ECB, Nintendo, Nestle (i met a guy a while back working in IT for them and he couldn't speak German), COLT so maybe checking their websites would be a good bet. As your French is good, there are prob some French banks (such as BNP) around which may have something.

Hope this helps and good luck, something will come up eventually!

Geoff

The good news for you is there is a massive skills shortage in IT in Germany (whatever anyone says). Additionally you have chosen an excellent region here in Frankfurt and, from past experience, IT firms in Frankfurt are extraordinarily tolerant of English language speakers with little German (can you imagine it the other way around???).

Getting a job will obviously depend on how much experience you can quote on your CV. Banks set the entry barrier pretty high (at least a degree), but there are lots of consulting companies looking for people for project work and that is probably the best way in.

The other thing that makes a big difference is if you can prove you are a person who completes things. I have met endless MSProject jockey "managers" and of out of date Geeks here in Ffm, but rarely people who combine a technical knowledge with a determination to get the job done and done well. All good companies are looking for those people especially in Germany. Its more impressive to show that quality on a CV than a deep knowledge of harddisk interfaces or whatever.

I'd also contact some of the big UK agencies like Computer Futures and Progressive who are here in Franfurt too. They often have jobs without the requirement for fluent German. Heys in Manheim are quite active too.

Let me know if you need more info.

I spent a year (freelance) working for the ECB in Frankfurt. I didn't, couldn't and still don't speak any German. For freelance work their language requirement is English. For permie work their language requirement is English plus one other EU language, so English and French is fine.

English is compulsory once inside the building, supposedly. My two German colleagues were occasionally bollocked for chatting with each other in German, which I thought unduly harsh, but didn't complain ;)

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies All very informative and helpful and special thanks to those who sent me PM's with advice and contact info. I have only now managed to make some time to log back in here so now I have the info you've kindly provided, I will make contact with those places you suggest.

After having put my CV on Monster I've had a few bites from recruitment companies. One in particular is working quite hard for me which is great. Also the company my girlfriend works for have offered me an informal interview which I'm having this Friday which is great! Still don't want to stop looking for other jobs though so am trying to keep the momentum up.

Only 6 weeks until I move there, wow!!

Leo

Hey everyone,

Well I finally moved here nearly 2 weeks ago. Although I've had no sucess in finding a job yet, I'm still confident that it can be done!

So - please get in touch if you think you can help. My CV is available - just let me know and I'll email it over.

Many thanks,
Leo

Hi there,

Try looking at Corrigan Bentley Recruitment agency. They recruit for Serco, who provide IT support for the ECB. I started there a couple of weeks back, not sure if there are any positions going still but its worth a look.

Cheers

Hi MancFurter,

Thanks for the tip. Without going into too much detail, I have already been there and done that! (With thanks to a TT'er who knows who he is).

The job hunt is continuing though. There must be something, somewhere and I *will* find it!

Leo