How to find a job in Munich

Munich makes a fantastic place to work and live, being one of the most interesting and prosperous cities to work in. Munich is also a very cosmopolitan city, meaning that it is an ideal place to network with people from all over the world and to build contacts for your future career.

Below are some excellent tips to get you started on finding that dream job.

What are you looking for?

Before you start actively searching for jobs it is a good idea to sit down and give yourself some time to seriously consider what you are looking for. To start with think about the kind of lifestyle you would like to have.

Below are some further considerations to think about:

  • Think about what kind of work you would like to do? Whether it is IT based, marketing or HR etc.
  • Where do your skills lie; e.g. are you creative, are you skilled at programming, maybe you’re good with numbers?
  • Strengths and weaknesses: Consider your previous work experience, what you have learned, what parts of the job did you enjoy, which parts of the job would you like to avoid.
  • Education: Your education can also play a crucial role in deciding what work to look for, if you have management qualifications now could be a great time to put those skills into practice.
  • Making a move to Munich could be a great chance to start afresh in a new industry or a new career.
  • Maybe you are thinking of looking for part time work and studying in your free time.
  • Or are you looking to settle long-term in Munich with a full-time permanent job with lots of promotion opportunities
  • Are you happy with a lower salary and working your way up or are you looking to get a job straight away with a high salary?
  • Which aspects of a job are most important to you and which are not necessities but nice to have?
  • How far are you prepared to commute to work, Munich can be an expensive city to live in so you may need to be prepared to commute further than you currently do depending on what you are used to.

These are all important questions you need to think about before you start your search. The great news is though that Munich is home to many industries with a thriving start-up scene meaning wherever you envision yourself working, there is sure to be a job that is suited to you.

Consider the practicalities

Now it is time to start doing a little research on what is on offer in Munich. You need to research whether your skill set is in demand and if you can find a job role that both fits your requirements and those of the employer.

Depending on your nationality, legal documents entitling you to work will need to be considered e.g. if you’re coming from outside the EU you will need to think about how realistic obtaining a visa is, if you already have desirable IT skills for example this could be more straightforward. If you are living in an EU country, then moving will be significantly easier.

When you identify jobs that you are interested in it is a very good idea to start researching the companies. Look at testimonies from previous and current employees to get a good idea of what the working environment is like. Speaking to current/former people who have found work in Munich may also be possible on dedicated Facebook groups or related forums to working in the city.

Update your professional profiles

It is a good idea to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and if you already speak German, the German LinkedIn equivalent Xing is wise to register with. Depending on the industry you are looking to work in keeping your Facebook and Twitter profiles updated could also be a sensible thing to do.

Facebook can be an excellent way to find job adverts in “Munich jobs” groups, keep watching these groups and if you’re fortunate you may happen to come cross a perfectly suited job. Using Twitter to follow companies that you’re interested in can be a way to find out about new job opportunities early.

What do you have to offer?

By now hopefully you have some ideas of what kind of work you are looking for, where your skills/experience lie and what your aspirations are. Now it’s time to start thinking about how to make yourself stand out from the competition.

Learn German

Although Munich has plenty of English speakers and some English-speaking jobs may be available, learning German is an excellent idea to help set yourself apart. The benefit of being able to speak German as well as having access to a wider range of jobs is the potential to earn a higher salary and more promotions.

Munich is located in Bavaria, it is a quite traditional Land (state). Even if a lot of people are speaking English in Munich, you will need quickly to speak German. Speaking German will not only help you to get a job but also a housing, it will help you to go through to administrative steps, which are very important in Germany.

Mastering German in not only a matter being able to order a bread at the bakery, you will need it to go along with colleagues, friends and strangers in every day. You fancy a better position in your company? Learn German. Most of the decision maker, if not all of them, in companies of Munich are speaking German.

Yes, you can arrive in Munich and start learning on place, this is a good idea. If you want to enjoy your time working in Munich, learn German.

Meet people, network

With the advent of the technology and the internet it can be easy to forget that there are other ways to find jobs that don’t involve computers. Getting out and about in Munich can be one of the most effective methods of finding work, meeting people face to face can make a great impression. In a city as large as Munich of course there are also many networking events and meetups that can help people like you to find the right start-up job.

Attending art exhibitions for example if your interest are in art and simply talking to people is a productive way to meet similar people. Of course, you are not guaranteed to get a job just by turning up at these events but often it is simply a case of being in the right place at the right time and meeting people.

Where to find job offers in Munich?

Here a list of job board where you can find jobs:

 

  • Indeed
  • Stepstone
  • Monster
  • München.de
  • muenchenerjobs.de
  • kimeta.de
  • localjob.de
  • Facebook Groups
  • Jobworld

Hopefully this article has given you a good introduction into working in Munich, with points to think about before starting your job search and practicalities that need to be considered. Now, it is time to take your next and begin your search for that ideal jobs.

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