Why mass applying doesn't work in Germany

Immigrants in Germany: Nobody knows you exist. That's why you're not getting hired. You can have the perfect CV. The best skills. Years of experience. In fact, this is true for my clients. They studied at top universities, worked for well-known companies, and built strong networks — but only in their home country. Here's the problem: In Germany, those brands aren’t recognized, and they have no local connections to vouch for them. 𝗦𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 — 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 — 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. This is exactly what I faced when I decided to move to Germany in 2019. I had great experience, but no local recognition — and no network. Instead of applying blindly, I focused on getting into real conversations. I reached out to 100 people: • Alumni in Germany (many UP alumni are here — we even have an association!) • Former coworkers & bosses (even if they weren’t in Germany) • Industry peers in Hamburg & Berlin (product managers and software engineers) • Hiring managers & founders (I showcased how I solve big problems) Then, I messaged them. Not to ask for a job — but to start a conversation. Within weeks, I had real discussions. Those discussions led to introductions. And one of those introductions led to my job offer. If you’re stuck in your job search, don’t just fix your CV. Start talking to people who can open doors for you. 🤔 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸? Leave a comment and I'll try to help!

Opportunity Card approved. Arrived in Germany. Now comes the part that’s rarely talked about.   Based on real conversations with Opportunity Card holders already in Germany, not from AI research 🙂   Imagine this. You move to the UK, the US, or Australia. You don’t speak English. You apply for jobs. The market is competitive. Your CV is solid - but you don’t speak the language. How easy do you think it’ll be? Now flip the scenario. You’ve landed in Germany. You don’t speak German. And you wonder why it’s hard.   This is what we hear again and again from those already here.   They arrive hopeful.  They apply to dozens of jobs.  Weeks pass - no interviews, no responses.  And the stress starts to build.  Rent. Living costs. Uncertainty.   Germany isn’t a “global English market.” Yes, it’s a strong economy.  Yes, it welcomes international talent.  But German is still the default.  In meetings. In documents. In daily life.   Even when the job says “English only”:  Your colleagues speak German.  Your clients speak German.  Your landlord? Usually speaks German. Your doctor? Most likely German.  The system? Very German.   Can you succeed in Germany without speaking German? Yes. But you need a plan.  And you need to prepare smartly.   Many professionals are finding success here - but they’re doing it with the right preparation.   - Look for roles in companies where English is truly the working language (Just know these roles are limited and highly competitive) - Target international companies with diverse teams in cities like Berlin or Munich - Start learning German before you arrive. Even the basics help   And most importantly: Invest in support like professional CV reviews and interview training - especially from someone who understands how hiring works in Germany. People invest heavily to move to Germany. It’s completely understandable to feel unsure about spending more on job search support. So they save where they can and apply using the same approach that worked back home. But the German job market works differently. By the time they realize it’s not working, 3 to 6 months have already passed.   Think long term.  Think integration.  Think beyond just the job.   If you want to build a career and life in Germany that truly works for you, start learning the language yesterday 🙂   ----- If you’re preparing to move - how are you getting ready? And if you’ve already made the move, what do you wish you had known earlier?   Share your thoughts below. Someone a few steps behind you might need it.

Most career coaches will tell you to "just apply more." 🤦♂️ That's the WORST advice for getting a job in Germany. I always had this impression that job hunting was super formulaic. That there was a set of rules you had to follow 📚 That everyone else knew what they were doing and if you just sent out 100 applications, you'd land something. But it couldn't be further from the truth. Years into helping people relocate to Germany, I've worked with hundreds of professionals - from fresh graduates to senior engineers. And the one thing I've realized? 🤔 There's literally NO one-size-fits-all approach to landing a German job. Most people are doing it wrong. Most successful relocations happen through strategic positioning, not mass applications. And it's experimentation that actually PUSHES companies forward. What works for one person probably won't work for you. And the professionals that stood out didn't copy - they INNOVATED. 🍎 Some optimized their LinkedIn and got headhunted. 📦 Others built ATS-proof resumes that actually got past the filters. 💪 A few created content that made recruiters reach out to THEM. That's when it clicked for me → the more UNIQUE you are, the BETTER. It's your USP. It's why recruiters remember you. Over the last year, we've been refining what makes my clients different - and literally in the past month, we've nailed it. The strategy, the positioning, the approach... it finally feels hella cool. 😎 But it only came from experimentation. From mistakes. From testing ideas and watching what actually works in the real German job market. #publicspeaking #rvielts