The week started really good. Yesterday I introduced 11 managers to my coaching clients. We are seven weeks into my autumn program and all my “coachees” are connected with hiring managers. Some had already interviews.

These eight international professionals that I work with: They decided to ask “what does it take?” instead of “what is the least I can do?”.

So, what does it take for an international professional to get a job in Germany – during Covid-19?

First: Understand the market and your own position in this market. If you don’t speak German and you maybe don’t even live in Germany: Then you are “different”.

If you are different then the “standard” application process is not for you. Because the standard process is for standard candidates. Which you are not.

The sad truth is: If you deviate from an imaginary “norm” – then HR will often reject your application without even reading it. (To be clear: I condemn this behaviour. Both because it’s immoral, but also because it’s really bad business: HR sorts out the best candidates by insisting on conformity.)

People who are “different” need to find a different route to their next job in Germany. Be it that they don’t speak the language, they want to change profession or they (oh, my god!) are women and might want to have children at some point.

This different route is called empathy. Realise this:

Nobody hires you because you need a job. People hire you because they have a problem and they need you to fix it.

How do you become the #1 candidate and beat your competition? By offering the best – that means most specific – solution to the hiring managers real problem.

And the real problem is never what is written in the job description. The “best” candidate is in reality that person that understands the managers actual problem better than anybody else – and offers a specific solution that is based on previous, concrete experiences.

Which brings us to the key point of a successful jobhunt in Germany:

–How do you find the actual hiring manager behind a job offer?

-How do you connect with this manager in a way that makes sense in the German business culture?

-How do you build trust so that the manager will tell you what really keeps her awake at night?

These are the skills that I teach in all my coachings and course.

If you want to get a job in Germany: Invest time to know about the real needs of the manager – instead of making assumptions. (Ask them!)

Then use your proven track record to share experiences where you solved a similar problem.

If you want to get a job in Germany: Dig deeper and have empathy.

I teach these skills in my Expats Job Offer Miracle. There are 2 spots left this year. Start now so that you see the benefits still before Christmas.

I wish you success.

Chris

Chris Pyak
Author
“How To Win Jobs & Influence Germans”