Finding ANY jobs in Berlin: Tips for non-German speakers

[Wobinidan 93]

I was looking for a job, then I found a job, and heaven knows I'm miserable now.

 

There are jobs available for people who only speak English, but you have to get lucky. It takes a LOT of searching and even then it's frustrating. But it's possible, so what the hell, give it a try. I did.

[skiptracer 13]

Here is my advice. BE RESOURCEFUL.

I'm an Australian girl who has been in Berlin for just over one month. Within two weeks of arriving I secured myself a job in a cafe, have been hired to babysit, and have landed an internship (and have recently been interviewed for a job that I very much hope to get.)

 

A lot of friends here have asked me how I am so lucky. But I apply for EVERYTHING. Also don't underestimate the benefits of writing a concise letter/email to the potential employer explaining that you may not speak the language and outline your strong points. Honestly, there is work out there. You just have to put every bit of energy and enthusiasm into every application, even for the jobs you dont want. Bad work is better than no work.

[AnnaLove 9]

Wow, that was like a soap opera. There is no need to be salty in here! People shouldn't feel intimidated to ask questions on this forum. After reading this thread I'm sure they will be. Geeeez.

 

Mathew- good luck.

To anyone else that is curious about this topic- Finding a decent job here is rough. Make sure you have a work visa, or a student visa that allows you to work BEFORE you try to get a job. Payed internships are always a nice option, if you can survive off of 3-400 a month.

Other than that, I hope you are either self employed, or plan to come with a butt load of money.

 

Oh, and what skiptracer said! Love the enthusiasm!

[mareluna 11]

about a third of the way down on this website they gives tons of link and also ads (though i'm not sure how old these ads are..)

 

http://www.squidoo.com/Berlinreviews#module73458111

[kabum 20]

Hi uxiizo

 

Just in case you didn´t notice, people is jumpy about job. The reason, they work hard to get one, because is difficult. Every week is somebody asking the same question like you. In other words, they don´t want to read all the other questions about these thematic ( and sure you have some to select from). People is not edgy, they get because is really a issue to have a job in Berlin, specially a good one without a good german knowledge or as somebody said phd in engineering ( well probably you will have have to make several interview and fight for your possition with other phd all of them edgy and piss because theay want the job too!!).

 

Here is not eden. But is a nice city, most of it poor and with economics problems that slowly are finding a solution. Everyday some enterprise come to Berlin. So slowly is getting better and more expensive. Since I came untill today the prices has changed, and you feel it.

 

So without a contract from Canada, or a big gold bag I will not come unless I had a good profession and a good german skill!!!

 

If you want to come anyway start to study the lenguage, sure you will need it. French a plus once you know german, not before.

 

Sorry if my words are not kind, but if you come thinking otherwise the shock with reallity will be painfull and costly( economically and moral).

 

So wish you the best and evaluate your options before coming, maybe some extra research before will be goo. And please excuse my spelling faults, I'm not native speaker, just a guy trying to give his opinion.

[Lenny TT 11]

Get in touch for a nice paid job (10 euro an hour), wether you speak English, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish... -> lthienpont@hotmail.com

[El Jeffo 42,134]

What kind of job is it? Hand, perhaps?

 

It would help if you provided some more details before asking people to mail you at a freemail address, Lenny.

 

Thanks.

[mikebenda 287]

Yes, because right now it looks a bit like spam.

[Guest]

 

Get in touch for a nice paid job (10 euro an hour), wether you speak English, Dutch, French, Czech, Polish... -> ...@hotmail.com

 

whether!

 

... assuming you aren't referring to a castrated goat

</pedant>

[gogoforu 0]

Hey I am an nigeria i live in italy am looking for a job Any help would be greatly appreciated...Specific job suggestions are welcomed...

[Conquistador 11,153]

Do you have the right to work in Germany?

[blue78 254]

 

Hey I am an nigeria i live in italy am looking for a job Any help would be greatly appreciated...Specific job suggestions are welcomed...

 

If you do not have a valid german work permission, you will not be able to work here... sorry to be a downer, but this point MUST be brought to the forefront before you decide to even think of coming here for a career.

[relationaltruth 7]

I know this is an older thread, but I still felt the need to respond.

 

Although swimmer and others come across as not very nice (and a bit sarcastic) in their responses, they are attempting (I think) to be truthful.

 

I am married to a German and have been living in Berlin for nearly 5 years. I am still looking for an "English speaking" job in this city that matches my qualifications and experience. It is not easy -- for many of the reasons already stated. The market is simply swamped with English speaking expats all attempting to live the "dream" life in this cheap and sometimes charming city. If it wasn´t for some serious personal circumstances, I would most likely move to another place.

 

I would add that if you are reading this thread for the first time and are thinking seriously about relocating to Berlin, do so with extreme caution. As has already been said, to come on holiday is one thing. To grind it out here day to day is something quite different. Nevertheless ... if you do come ... please don´t litter or smash bottles in the street. Also ... try not to drive up the prices if at all possible :-)! If you have savings, or family here that can help you, or can qualify to live on the dole, maybe Berlin can become "home" for you as it has for so many others.

 

Finally, allow me to apologize for some of the folks who post rather often on TT. Not all of us are like them ... as I hope this post revealed.

 

Cheers

[Lavender Rain 7,859]

 

Nevertheless ... if you do come ... please don´t litter or smash bottles in the street. Also ... try not to drive up the prices if at all possible!

 

Finally, allow me to apologize for some of the folks who post rather often on TT. Not all of us are like them ... as I hope this post revealed.

 

The only thing the content of your post reveals is you don't need to apologize for anyone, but yourself. The don't litter, smash bottles, and don't drive up prices is extremely condescending and offensive as if you're talking to a bunch of immature teenagers.

 

Furthermore, the tenor and tone of the quote above is the kind of passive-aggressive bullshit that's divisive (us versus them) and shit-stirring that contributes to the dissension on TT.

[relationaltruth 7]

@Lavender Rain:

 

Thanks so much. I guess now that I think about it you may be right about my comments re: the bottles, the littering, the prices, etc. For that I apologize. On the other hand, I was sincerely attempting to offer a fair and true answer to the OP (and others) without being sarcastic, nasty, or even unkind as some often are on TT. I´m not attempting to add to the dissension and if that is what you think -- I do apologize. Nevertheless...I trust you will have a good day.

[Lavender Rain 7,859]

 

@Lavender Rain:

 

Thanks so much for the comment and the insight. Nevertheless...you match PERFECTLY the type of person I was apologizing for. Cheers.

 

Maybe once you finally do get a job you won't be compelled to try to make it your job to go around apologizing for other people. Or sprewing that "not all of us are like them" bullshit.

 

Once you get a job you won't have time to count the number of smash bottles in the streets or the litter in Berlin.

[relationaltruth 7]

@Lavender Rain:

 

Thanks again for the comments. Job or no job ... I think I will always be concerned about litter and smashed bottles in the city, although I now realize (thanks to your insight) I should not have targeted people possibly moving to the city as the culprits. On another note, I apologize for myself if in fact my initial post on this thread was condescending or unkind. I try not to be "like them" who are. In all things...peace.

[Lavender Rain 7,859]

Rt, no hard feelings, thanks for your comments. Case closed. Good luck with your job search.

[relationaltruth 7]

@Lavender Rain:

 

Thanks and !

[swimmer 3,707]

I've not read all of this but litter and mess etc can be highly localised in big cities. You get really tidy / neat places right next to ones you have to wade through the litter or that are covered in graffiti etc (and Berlin seems no different to me on that). I've always assumed this was for a number of reasons, but not least different municipality spending priorities (in London you can often practically see the district boundaries via the difference in cleanliness and level of "street art" etc).