How to Find a Job in Germany: Sites and Documents

Job hunting in Germany can be difficult, especially if you don't yet speak German very well or don't know where to look for current openings.

It's important not just to find a suitable offer, but also to check the employer, prepare the necessary documents, and make sure you're allowed to work in Germany.

In this article you'll learn:

• where to look for jobs in Germany;
• which German words to use when searching;
• which documents you might need;
• how to check an employer;
• what to do after sending your application;
• how to look for work if your German is still weak.

If you need to put together a Lebenslauf (CV) or a cover letter in German, you can use our online service. With ready-made example phrases, you'll be able to prepare documents for a German employer even without deep German skills.

Where to look for jobs in Germany

Official sites

The best place to start is with trusted government resources.

Bundesagentur für Arbeit

The Federal Employment Agency runs the official job database — Jobsuche. There you can search for work by profession, city, employment type, and other criteria.

The site has listings for many categories of workers:

• specialists;
• warehouse workers;
• drivers;
• production workers;
• care workers;
• kitchen staff;
• cleaners;
• people with no professional experience.

Make it in Germany

This is the official portal of the German federal government for foreign workers. On the site you can find job listings and information about:

• employment;
• work visas;
• residence permits;
• recognition of diplomas;
• in-demand professions;
• moving to Germany.

When searching on official portals, it's better to use the profession's name in German. Searching in English or your native language may return far fewer results.

Popular job sites

Besides official resources, you can use popular commercial job portals:

• StepStone.de;
• Indeed.de;
• LinkedIn;
• XING;
• Glassdoor;
• Kleinanzeigen;
• MeineStadt.de.

MeineStadt.de is convenient because it shows job listings separately for each city and region in Germany — this is especially useful if you're looking for work specifically in your own town, rather than nationwide.

On these sites you can find listings both for people without experience and for qualified specialists.

Pay attention not just to the job title, but also to:

• the company name;
• the work location;
• the type of contract;
• the schedule;
• language requirements;
• salary;
• whether housing is provided;
• employment conditions.

The Federal Employment Agency also recommends using several ways of job hunting at once: official portals, professional networks, and other trusted job sites.

Which words to use when searching

To search for jobs effectively, it helps to know the basic German names for professions.

General words

• Arbeit — work;
• Stellenangebot — job opening;
• Arbeitsstelle — job/workplace;
• Vollzeit — full-time;
• Teilzeit — part-time;
• Minijob — mini-job;
• Schichtarbeit — shift work;
• Quereinsteiger — a career changer;
• ohne Berufserfahrung — without professional experience;
• ohne Ausbildung — without formal vocational training.

Example job titles

• Lagerhelfer — warehouse worker;
• Produktionshelfer — production worker;
• Reinigungskraft — cleaner;
• Pflegehelfer — care assistant;
• Küchenhilfe — kitchen helper;
• Verkäufer / Verkäuferin — salesperson (m/f);
• Fahrer / Fahrerin — driver (m/f);
• Hausmeister — caretaker/janitor;
• Mitarbeiter Kundenservice — customer service employee.

Example search queries

• Lagerhelfer München
• Reinigungskraft Teilzeit
• Produktionshelfer ohne Erfahrung
• Küchenhilfe Vollzeit
• Arbeit ohne Deutschkenntnisse
• Quereinsteiger Büro
• Pflegehelfer mit Unterkunft

It's best not to search with just one word, but to combine the job title with a city, schedule, or language requirement.

For example: Reinigungskraft München Teilzeit ohne Erfahrung

This means: cleaner in Munich, part-time, no experience required.

How to apply for a job

Once you've found a suitable listing, read all the conditions carefully.

Check:

• whether the profession suits you;
• where the workplace is located;
• whether your German level meets the requirements;
• what schedule is offered;
• whether experience is required;
• whether a salary is stated;
• which documents you need to send;
• how to contact the employer.

Employers usually ask for:

• a CV — Lebenslauf;
• a cover letter — Anschreiben;
• diplomas and certificates;
• references;
• a work permit.

If your Lebenslauf or cover letter aren't ready yet, you can create them with our online tool. You don't need to come up with complex German wording yourself — just pick suitable example phrases and add your own details.

Which documents you need for work

The exact list of documents depends on your citizenship, residence status, and profession.

Basic documents

In most cases, you may need:

• a passport;
• a residence permit;
• a visa;
• a document confirming your right to work;
• a tax number — Steuer-ID;
• a social security number — Sozialversicherungsnummer;
• health insurance;
• a bank account;
• diplomas and certificates;
• an employment contract.

Your residence permit document may state:

• Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt — employment permitted;
• Beschäftigung gestattet — employment allowed.

If there are restrictions on your right to work, this will also be noted on your documents. If in doubt, it's best to contact the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) or a counseling center.

Steuer-ID

The Steuer-ID is your personal tax number in Germany. Employers need it to correctly calculate taxes on your wages.

If you've registered your address in Germany, your tax number is usually mailed to you automatically. If you didn't receive the letter or lost it, you can request it again.

Sozialversicherungsnummer

The social security number is needed for official employment. It's tied to pension insurance and other social contributions.

If you've worked officially in Germany before, you may already have this number.

Recognition of your diploma

For some professions, your diploma or qualification needs to be officially recognized. This is especially important for regulated professions, such as:

• doctor;
• nurse;
• childcare educator;
• teacher;
• certain technical specialties.

For other professions, recognition may not be required, but verified documents increase an employer's trust in you.

If you don't yet have a work permit

Before submitting an application, always check whether your status allows you to work in Germany.

The rules depend on your specific situation:

• citizenship;
• visa type;
• residence permit;
• temporary protection status;
• studies;
• family circumstances.

Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland generally have the right to work in Germany without a separate work permit.

Citizens of third countries may need:

• a work visa;
• a national type-D visa;
• a residence permit for employment purposes;
• the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card);
• another document granting the right to work.

Never agree to offers to "work without documents." Illegal employment can lead to problems with pay, insurance, taxes, and your future stay in Germany.

How to check an employer

Before sending your documents or signing a contract, check out the company.

What to look for

Check whether:

• the company has an official website;
• a full address is provided;
• there's a phone number and email address;
• the company's legal name is stated;
• there's an Impressum section;
• the company name matches the email domain.

You can call the company using the number from its official website and ask whether the position is really open.

Signs of a fraudulent job listing

Be cautious if:

• an unusually high salary is promised with no experience required;
• you're asked to transfer money before starting work;
• you're asked to pay a "registration" or "reservation" fee for the job;
• the company isn't named;
• the workplace address isn't given;
• you're offered work without a permit;
• communication happens only through messaging apps;
• you receive a contract with unclear terms;
• there's pressure to pay urgently.

A legitimate employer should never ask a candidate to pay for being hired. If you're asked to transfer money, check the company first and don't send copies of important documents.

Job hunting without German skills

It's possible to find work without German, but your choice of jobs will be limited.

Look for listings with phrases like:

• ohne Deutschkenntnisse — no German required;
• Deutsch nicht erforderlich — German not required;
• English speaking — English-speaking environment;
• mit Unterkunft — with accommodation;
• Quereinsteiger willkommen — career changers welcome;
• keine Erfahrung erforderlich — no experience required.

Without strong German, work is most often available:

• in warehouses;
• in production;
• in cleaning;
• in kitchens;
• in sorting goods;
• in seasonal jobs;
• in international teams.

Even if a job doesn't require German, it's worth gradually learning basic words and phrases. This will help you understand instructions and communicate with colleagues.

Useful phrases:

Ich lerne Deutsch und verbessere meine Sprachkenntnisse. I'm learning German and improving my language skills.

Ich bin zuverlässig und lerne schnell. I'm reliable and I learn quickly.

Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen? Could you please speak a bit more slowly?

What to do after submitting your application

Not every employer replies right away. Sometimes reviewing documents takes several days or longer.

After you apply:

1. Write down the company name and the date you applied.
2. Save the text of the job listing.
3. Check your email and phone regularly.
4. Be ready to answer a phone call in German.
5. If there's no response after several business days, send a short follow-up.

Example follow-up email:

Sehr geehrte Frau … / Sehr geehrter Herr …,

ich habe mich am … auf die Stelle als … beworben. Ich möchte mich kurz erkundigen, ob meine Bewerbung bei Ihnen eingegangen ist.

Für Ihre Rückmeldung bedanke ich mich im Voraus.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen …

Translation:

Dear Mrs. … / Dear Mr. …,

I applied for the position of … on … I would like to briefly ask whether you have received my application.

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Kind regards, …

If an employer invites you to an interview, prepare for it in advance. You can find useful tips and ready-made phrases in our article «Job Interviews in Germany: How to Make a Great First Impression and Get Hired».

Job search checklist

Before you start searching, check:

• I'm allowed to work in Germany.
• I know which profession or type of work I'm looking for.
• I've prepared a CV in German.
• I have a cover letter, if one is needed.
• I know the German name for my profession.
• I'm checking listings on several sites.
• I know the company's address and name.
• I check the employer before sending documents.
• I keep a record of where and when I applied.
• I check my email and phone regularly.

Conclusion

Finding a job in Germany takes more than just applying to the first listing you see. It's important to search properly, check the conditions, prepare your documents, and make sure the employer is trustworthy.

Start with official portals, use German search terms, and read job descriptions carefully. If you need to put together a Lebenslauf or cover letter, use our online service with ready-made example phrases for job hunting in Germany.

Frequently asked questions