Job advice for non-German speaking Americans

I visited Germany for the first time a year ago, and fell in love with the country, the people, and the culture. In fact, I have visited 3 times since, and am considering moving there if things worked out. Challenge: I speak no German AT ALL (am considering starting language classes), and am wondering if anyone knows of any jobs or professions available for Americans who, like me, don't speak German. Anyone have any advice? Thanks...

Hello,

Well it depends of course on your skillset, and where you'd like to live. In the "American triangle" as I call it (no offense to our other expat friends) of Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Kaiserslautern there are plenty of opportunities for Americans over here. If you're really lucky you can get a TESA (technical expert) job, which means you have to prove you can do something better than the Germans, and then you have a special tax status.
If you want to work at a German firm that's going to be a bit harder. Your age can also be a factor. Again, it depends on your skillset. My wife (German) works for a research company and there are numerous employees in her firm that can't speak any German at all. Many of their meetings, and all their internal and external e-mails are in English. But, then again, we're talking basically scientist level. We had two American friends (returned to the States) who worked for Shott glass here (both scientists) and their company insisted they speak German always.

One thing to consider if you are thinking about trying to get a job with an American firm is that many pay salaries in dollars. Right now is NOT a good time to be in a euro country with a dollar salary. This is a big factor when looking at pay offers here.

I'd say it would all start with an examination of your skills and experience. It also depends on what you want to do. It can pretty tight here on a marginal salary, especially if you end up in the Frankfurt area, which is expensive.

Paul

You could get a job with the government http://www.cpol.army.mil/ http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/

I totally agree, it depends on your skillset and your prior job experience, but generally I'd say check in with international companies based in the US. They will have more compassion for non-German-speaking folks out here.

As I can only speak for the hospitality industry, I say working as an accountant or as a sales person for an English-speaking market could work... I'd also say Frankfurt is the place to be as I believe it to be the most international part of Germany...

Good luck to you! (And yes, take some lessons ASAP! )

Another potential challenge you should have at the front of your mind: getting a work permit.

Which, as an American could be doubly hard if you don't even speak the language. Though I do know people that work here in Frankfurt that don't. However, while I admit I don't know tons of other Americans over here, of those I do, not one came over without either a)marrying a German b)already speaking the language c)secondment/transfer from job already held in the US or d)being in the army.

Not sure what field you are in - e.g. for an accountant specialised in US-GAAP I imagine you'd have a decent chance in Ffm. If you are an xray tech or art teacher or waiter etc on the other hand...
If I were you I'd start the job hunt in the states already for sure, and sign up for lessons asap. Best of luck to you!

This is all great feedback, I appreciate it! What about attending University in Germany? Are there schools that accept "foreign" (in this case, American!) students with no background in German? If so, is it possible to work part-time? Just exploring all options...

Although some people from the US can and do live here marginally, I would discourage you from attempting to do this. It takes several years to obtain a command of German solid enough to be able to work professionally here, and that is a huge bar for someone just starting out in their career or someone with less-than-top-shelf skills and experience from gettting work here commensurate with their abilities. Without near fluency in German your opportunities are sharply reduced in number and lucre.

There are some programs at the Masters level conducted in English (see daad.de) but probably not many at public universities at the Bachelor's level, and taking courses in English wouldn't advance your goal of achieving proficiency in German.

Try taking German courses and spending time with German speakers where you live, and think about doing internships here if you are still a student. Without knowing your qualifications it is hard to give you more advice.

Can you imagine someone moving to the US "Considering" whether they should learn English?
It could be regarded as being arrogant to expect another country to use your language.
Without a good knowledge of German you are condemned to being part of an ex-pat community
or total isolation. It is an illusion to think that Germany is a country like Holland or Sweden
where a good command of English (by the natives) is a necessity.
The fact is that Germany is part of a 100 million strong German speaking community
that gets along quite nicely without English (in most fields of life).
A German with fluent English is very rare - Germans who think they are fluent in English
(mistakenly) are not quite so rare.
Most Germans have a very poor level of English (and why should it be otherwise?)
German is hard but definitely needed here.
Germans are resentful regarding US/UK citizens who imagine "of course, they should speak English",
and why not?

Hi, I have to disagree with the last post. I moved here two years ago and couldnt speak a word of German, ended up getting myself a job in recruitment. All my applicants had to speak fluent English it was the request from 90% of my clients, and the Germans especially in IT sales and markeing all spoke near fluent English. I can now speak german (not fluently) however I get by. I only have German friends, who all speak to me in both languages. From my experience Most english speaking jobs are based in Munich and of course berlin. English is widely spoken by Germans in Munich. Have a look at www.eurolondon.de they specialise in Englsih speaking recruitment and cover the entire German market. As well have a look at www.monster.de put english inthe search and watch the amount of jobs that come up. Your biggest problem is going to be a work permit, its not as difficult as some people say to get one but it depends on the job you are going for. I highly recommend you do a intro to German course before you move here, I wish I had.
Take the risk and move here, if it doesn't work out you can always go home.
PS I am in a happy mood today as I normally not this nice to Americans...

Hi, I have to disagree with the last post. I moved here two years ago and couldnt speak a word of German, ended up getting myself a job in recruitment. All my applicants had to speak fluent English it was the request from 90% of my clients, and the Germans especially in IT sales and markeing all spoke near fluent English. I can now speak german (not fluently) however I get by. I only have German friends, who all speak to me in both languages. From my experience Most english speaking jobs are based in Munich and of course berlin. English is widely spoken by Germans in Munich. Have a look at www.eurolondon.de they specialise in Englsih speaking recruitment and cover the entire German market. As well have a look at www.monster.de put english inthe search and watch the amount of jobs that come up. Your biggest problem is going to be a work permit, its not as difficult as some people say to get one but it depends on the job you are going for. I highly recommend you do a intro to German course before you move here, I wish I had.
Take the risk and move here, if it doesn't work out you can always go home.
PS I am in a happy mood today as I normally not this nice to Americans...