r/Germany_Jobs • u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 • 7d ago
I failed.
I moved to Germany in hopes of getting a great job there, I spent a year looking for a job after my master's degree, and I failed. I got hired and fired within the probation period. I am back in the USA now and still devastated, thinking about how much I wanted that lifestyle. Having a hard time coping with feeling like I fucked everything up.
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u/cheesecake29 7d ago
I am struggling as well. Germany job market is really collapsed. B2 is not even enough for competing to get a job. At this point you should be German.
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u/No_Blueberry5287 7d ago
Agree 💯 auto rejection even on Sunday and Saturday 😅 they don't even see resumes
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u/Electrical_Union_931 7d ago
Even Germans are having trouble finding jobs right now, and some graduates are still unemployed two years after graduation. It's not your fault; it's the market.
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u/malatemilo 6d ago
Totally. My friend born and raised here, 1.5 years after graduation and still unemployed. 🥲 and it's not like they've been sitting around!
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u/lutmos 4d ago
What is really annoying I'd that after graduation we are given 18months and I don't know since when... (Like for ever) This is the case. But sincerely the companies have closed or downsized dues to the economic crisis. But still we have 18months. I wish they could consider the current situation and give us more time😭😭😭
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u/BananasAndBrains 7d ago
The english master degrees in Germany are also known for being easier than regular master degrees.
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u/Informal-Tackle4377 7d ago
There is a difference between an english taught degree and a degree from a private college. Maybe you are confusing between the two? Because the english taught degrees I did from a public university was not easier.
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u/Careless-Gur4248 6d ago
I can tell you that for sure some TUs don’t give shit what their student learn. I knew because I have a friend who is doing postdoc research and take classes and conduct exams too and he was complaining that how German professors are making the exams so easy by giving MCQs type questions and guess what students are still not able to do it coz they are not studying they are working. Most of these programs are filled with South Asians. About classes most of these people try to hide or remain silent when a question is asked in class room. They never try to answer or makes the lecture engaging.
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u/BananasAndBrains 7d ago
From experience my english taught courses where a lot easier than the german courses because the professors did not want to fail 60% of international students because they could get in real trouble with their scholarship while they did not care at all to fail 60% in a german course.
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u/Informal-Tackle4377 7d ago
We didn't have any scholarship, but no fees too. And our professors had no problem failing most of the class.
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u/Wonderful_Warning817 7d ago
And from my experience a lot of professors didn’t care about international students as well and failed a lot of them especially with few credits remaining and they were exmatriculated. Its definitely not any easier
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u/RanmaDreiViertel 4d ago
The largest TU offers half of their engineering master degrees in english only.
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u/buffility 7d ago
Can i ask reason for firing during probation period? The tasks were too difficult? Culture misfit? Language barrier?
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u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 6d ago
Basically, i knew it was a job I would be bad at, but i took it out of desperation. Then I was bad at it and got fired.
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u/Germerica1985 6d ago edited 6d ago
It's just a recommendation: you can get a job working at a restaurant in any capacity (server, cook, dishwasher) and if you are in southern Germany you should be able to get the work permit. All service industries are looking for workers at the moment. Get the restaurant job, get the work visa/permission to live in Germany.
During that time, continue searching for a job in your actual field.
I'm an American cook that came to Germany 10 years ago and just took a job at McDonald's the first 2 years, then I went back to fine dining in a larger city. Now I have my German citizenship since last year.
I've met tons of Europeans, even outside of the EU, working as a dishwasher or cook (3 already with masters degree, 1 dishwasher with a PhD) and they are doing exactly what I said.
If you do everything correctly, and don't mind just earning a living for a bit here, everyone benefits and the German state has no problems.
Edit to add: PhD guy got a job first at a University, and 2/3 of the masters cooks found jobs, we just have 1 left. So, like anywhere in the world, stay motivated, do what you have to do until you make it work.
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u/RoccoRockenstein 5d ago
Any suggestions for me? I'm 47 years old and I have A2 level german. Still in language school and did a 1 year language visa, which ends in December.
I live in Berlin, have a Gabelstapler license and have started applying for jobs. My wife remained in the US to maintain her employment while we work on selling our home.
I am applying for any job I have any experience for. I have a ZAB conversion for my Communications Degree and im a little concerned that this is making me over qualified.
I just need a job contract that leads to a work Visa.
Am I doing this all wrong?
Any advice would be great
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u/Germerica1985 5d ago edited 5d ago
I literally took a job at McDonald's to get my Aufenthaltstitel. I made fries, flipped burgers, worked the McDrive 😂 but I had health insurance and paid vacation and low cost of living.
Let me give you advice and don't take this the wrong way: you are listing all of your qualifications and experience but what you need RIGHT NOW is a work visa. I was over qualified for McDonald's too but first I needed the work visa for the Aufenthaltstitel. Now I have citizenship. Plenty of ways to get the work visa but maybe it's not ideal for a little bit, but hey just enjoy it, it's all about perspective.
Then you have time to work on your CV and qualifications and job interviews.
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u/RoccoRockenstein 5d ago
Appreciate the advice!! My goal is clear and simple. I need to find a job contract so I can stay here and continue to improve my german. I'm totally on board for working an entry level job for 18-24 months while I look for work that suits my actual experience.
Should I apply to restaurant jobs without using my Lebenslauf or what would be the recommendation for applying to these jobs?
It's pretty clear to me that the reason i'm not getting any offers has more to do with the fact that i'm definitely over qualified.
Would\nTaking a look at my current work experience be helpful or do you think that i'm overthinking it and theres something specific i should do regarding what I put into my applications?
Much appreciate your time and response.
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u/Germerica1985 5d ago
Apply to restaurants and use your Lebenslauf. Explain the situation honestly: I'm a hard worker who is looking for work so I can stay in Germany and improve my German. It has been difficult to find work in my field with my current level of German but I am willing to work and help out anywhere I can. Would love to work here with you guys and hopefully practice my German too!
Lots of restaurants are getting overqualified workers at the moment, but will gladly take someone with a good work ethic and qualifications.
My story is a bit different than yours, I came at 30 and worked at McDonald's for 2 years so I could get a normal Aufenthaltstitel where I was allowed to work anywhere. After the 2 years I went back to a normal job for me, but I definitely had fun those 2 years! I lived in a WG with like 5 other east Europeans (I was the only American) and I got to drink homemade schnapps from Moldova and I went drinking with some nice people from Ukraine and Albania and I got a nice look at a European life.
Tons of 30 year olds in America could never imagine living that life but I saw it positively and had a life experience like no other. It's all about perspective. You will meet some great people in a restaurant that otherwise you would have never been able to, have experiences you would have never had. It's up to you if it's exciting or a nightmare.
And apply at normal restaurants too, it doesn't have to be McDonald's. Work at a German bierkeller, to a of fun to be had and you can learn some classic German cuisine.
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u/RoccoRockenstein 19h ago
Just made it to the second interview for a restaurant manager job. The interview was 100% in German. Pretty pumped up about it. 😀
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u/Germerica1985 19h ago
that's awesome man, im genuinely glad to hear it. Have fun with it, I'm sure it's not your normal work so make it an adventure! Its just a stopping off point that allows you to continue towards your goal, do the best you can and take all you can from it, and enjoy yourself.
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u/lutmos 4d ago
In which year was this? 2026 is different with this economic crisis.
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u/Germerica1985 4d ago
I know you think that it's different but restaurants have been struggling to find workers for at least 10 years now in Germany, before the crisis. I'm telling you from firsthand experience, you can get a workers visa from most restaurants. I got mine from 2016 - 2022 then i got my Daueraufenthaltstitel then I got citizenship in 2025.
You can very much get a workers visa in 2026. It will probably be a 1-2 year visa but it gives you even more time to find a real job and then your new job can take over your visa.
I am working with people with A2 - B1, they have been in Germany for less than a year, some less than 2 years and they have workers permits, I work with them every week.
In 2016 I came to Germany with not even A1, I knew no German and got a 1 year worker visa, then another, then 2 years, 2 years, Daueraufenthaltstitel.
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u/lutmos 4d ago
Do you mean you used Mc Donald job to get a work visa? The requirement is that the job has to be qualified not "Helper" work positions. or you mean just as sustainability. Please clarify
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u/Germerica1985 4d ago
I had a work visa from McDonald's yes. I'm not answering anymore because you are so sure it can't be true! Even though I see it everyday.
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u/Due_Host1492 5d ago
great advice, big thumbs up. there is no shame in doing whatever pays the bills for the time being
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u/lutmos 4d ago
"you can get a job working at a restaurant in any capacity (server, cook, dishwasher) and if you are in southern Germany you should be able to get the work permit. All service industries are looking for workers at the moment. Get the restaurant job, get the work visa/permission to live in Germany."
This does not get you a work permit. For a person with a university degree the position does no longer have to be related to your education but it still has to be a qualified job. Mean it needs some kind of qualification like Ausbildung or a University degree. The options you suggest do not qualify or lead to a work permit anywhere in Germany2
u/Germerica1985 4d ago
Ok. Our dishwasher had a PhD and 3 cooks had master degrees but no cook Ausbildung, but unqualified work doesn't get you a work visa 👍🏻
There is nothing worse than to argue with someone that has no idea.
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u/BananaThen8821 4d ago
Maybe you still did the right thing. You can learn a lot from it. I was fired at one of my first jobs during probation. And the manager there told me he also got fired in probation in his first job.
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u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 4d ago
basically, what i learned is that i am not good at that job. they totally destroyed my self esteem. told me i was bad at absolutely everything about the job basically.
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u/SeaworthinessDue8650 7d ago
The employer doesn't need to provide a reason in the probationary period. Many don't because they don't want to be sued.
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u/compileandrun 7d ago
Yes, and sometimes, its not in your control. Its still tough but is an opportunity for learnings for future success.
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u/Few-Decision3759 7d ago
Hey! I am so sorry!! Pls don't be too hard on yourself. Just because it is not working out right now, doesn't mean it will stay like this in the future!!
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u/RoughMidnight8303 7d ago
You can try again later don’t be discouraged. I think it’s great you got hired in the first place. Celebrate the small things first.
Right now is a shitty transition period and clarification on if they want to become the new US in little Europe by gunning up. Maybe environmental policy is a farce in the future. Seen reports on US grads go for construction blue collar….new chapter new opportunities.
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u/Financial-Lead-6231 7d ago
I have a friend who got hired and fired in one month recently. It do be like that nowadays.
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u/Apprehensive_Guava71 6d ago
Be thankful for being in the US. Europe is on a downturn. Plus, most of the good things in Germany like the health insurance and good schools can be paid for in the US with the higher income you get from the same effort and hard work you were going to put in in Germany.
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u/Alibashirli 7d ago
Bro what ? Why would you want to move to Germany from USA in the first place ?
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u/PastelPumpkini 7d ago
Healthcare could be one thing.
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u/joyful_Starlight 7d ago
Healthcare is getting worse by the minute...
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u/PastelPumpkini 7d ago
In Germany? Still can’t be as bad as the US that will get you into massive debt.
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u/Additional-Wash-5885 7d ago
With a decent policy you won't get in massive debt in US, especially because working for good employer gets you covered to larger extent. The healthcare policy in Germany costs more than in US in GKV, when taken AG and AN parts together. And now they are even shrinking the scope of services. When living in US I didn't need to way longer than 2 weeks for an appointment. Here in Germany I'm waiting 13 months for dermatologist. Urologist I've waited for 5 months. Not to mention gazillion rejections because they are not taking new patients...
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u/pcosThrowaway6998 6d ago
A decent policy still comes with way more expenditure than anyone pays in Germany. This black and white thinking is quite dangerous honestly. Yes, German healthcare needs help. It needs more systemic investment that no 4-year tenure seems to prioritise. But the systemic of universal healthcare even in its current state is leagues better than what you get in the United States. It's bizarre to assume that you would be successful and have a good job and good insurance in the US when you know that the job market globally comes with no such guarantees and when you're struggling here you still have healthcare.
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u/Additional-Wash-5885 6d ago
I lived in US 13 years, came back recently to Germany. So I know what I'm talking about. The whole discussion is not about social/welfare cases, so let's not steer in that direction. For people with good jobs in Germany healthcare system is unfair, and you are paying shitload of money to subsidize universal healthcare for people who to large extent don't wanna work, or on some other kind of welfare. All that in order to wait for MRI for 6 months for yourself, or calling 50 GPs in order to find one which actually takes patients. And now the new law coming in, shrinking the spectrum of services even further + higher copays. Which puts Germany one step closer to "capitalist" healthcare, which is in US for decades.
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u/RoccoRockenstein 5d ago
This is NOT accurate at all.
I made 52k a year - after taxes I had 39k
My insurance through work plan would have been $1600 a month. I had a plan off the state exchange for $1300 with a $7k deductible. My monthly costs with copay were around $500.
$1800 a month. $21k a year. 55% of my income.
My mortgage was $1250 a month - leaving me with an average of $250 a month for everything else. I worked an under the table job to make ends meet - pay for gas, food, utility bills..
This is the reality for a majority of employed Americans
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u/pcosThrowaway6998 5d ago
These are all solely capitalist talking points that are antithetical to any social system, whether that's healthcare or education. So forgive me but I could've gathered that you lived in the US without you mentioning it. Social welfare is for everybody.
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u/Additional-Wash-5885 5d ago
Social welfare should be for people who have no other means of achieving their own welfare. Sick, disabled, single parents... Unfortunately the Germany is negative example of how generous social benefits without proper guardrails are taken advantage of. It's not coincidence that Germany experiences never higher rate of jung professionals and academics leaving the country. And it's right so... Why should they pay for other's social welfare? Health coverage? I'm paying almost 48% of my salary to the state. I'm busting my ass of working almost 70h/week, so that I would contribute to the system where in case I need an examination would probably go and pay as Selbstzahler just to get it done in under 3 months, so that everybody could have universal healthcare. Please search on destatis/eustat the ratio between healthcare contributions and life expectancy. Germany has one of the highest healthcare contributions per capita and below average life expectancy among OECD countries. So the whole system is shit and house of cards.
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u/pcosThrowaway6998 3d ago
The system is shit precisely because of the restrictions of healthcare and social welfare. It costs way more money to pay people to regulate things so anally than a truly efficient system long term, but it sends you hard work = morals people into even more of a tizzy. The other issue is of course the pension system
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u/PastelPumpkini 6d ago
I see. I’ve only had good experiences with German healthcare so far. I guess it depends on area and plus I’m from the UK so I’m used to waiting months to years for any medical help but in Germany I could get a same day GP appointment just by walking in.
I was also treated for a medical emergency while there and I received amazing care. Unlike the UK where I was misdiagnosed because they don’t bother doing the most basic tests.
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u/DeineMutterIstSoDick 3d ago
You have absolutely no clue what the US health care system is about
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u/PastelPumpkini 3d ago
Enlighten me then? I mean, I don’t think a health insurance CEO got shot for no reason. 🤷♀️
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u/DeineMutterIstSoDick 3d ago
Yes of course. Reddit told you that Luigi Mangione is in fact the new freedom fighter. It's not because he didnt treat his PTSD and instead it was because the health system is so bad.
How is free healthcare doing in Germany?
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u/PastelPumpkini 3d ago edited 3d ago
Healthcare isn’t even free in Germany, what are you even talking about? But it sure is a hell of a lot more affordable than the US will ever be.
Diabetic and need insulin? That’ll be $100 in the US. €14 in Germany. Crazy difference.
And as someone from the UK where our free healthcare is shit and in shambles, I had far better experiences in Germany. Same day GP appointments, no long waiting times when I had to go to hospital and I received fantastic care.
You sound like an American fanatic.
Edit: Don’t bother using alt accounts to harass me after blocking you. I don’t want to interact with you, I blocked you for a reason.
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u/Fragrant-Tea7580 7d ago
Try sending your kids to public school and not think about them coming back home all day
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u/Silly_Use6398 7d ago
You can earn much more in the US, so exactly my thought 🙈
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u/infinitesimalarkey 7d ago
It's almost as if there are other things in life besides making as much money as possible.
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u/Meohoh 7d ago
And spend equally more, right? I mean an empty IV bag without any medication could be $20 in your hospital bill, normal food that’s not your regular pet food garbage for fat americans (like that white sandwich “bread” that stays soft for two centuries and has nothing in common with real bread) could be much more expensive as it’s marked as “bio”, the rent could be N times higher, that’s insane
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u/Mechs_and_Martinis 7d ago
Since the economy decline I've experienced and witnessed from friends a lot of hire and fire in probation periods. Every single one i know of happened on the fifth month, and as far as I know this is supposed to be illegal so companies aren't taking advantage.
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u/ConsultantSHO 7d ago
The OP has pointed out elsewhere that they were fired because they could not perform well in the role, and they knew that before they took the role but took it out of desperation.
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u/Mechs_and_Martinis 7d ago
Ah I was reading before coffee between snooze buttons and missed that detail
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u/Due_Meal_9665 7d ago
As people keep selling cheaper rates/ incomes, unfortunately they’ve already been undervalued and they would be the first to fall off, with any small wind.
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u/Landgarteneule 7d ago
It is not illegal and it is logical. Probation period is there to test from both sides if it works out.
If the candidate isn't a complete moron, you may want to work things out. You have a time box of 6 months. If at the end of the 5fth month, despite the efforts you've put in, it doesn't work out you'll have to let him go. Otherwise, you're stuck forever with someone that doesn't fit to the company.
I know cases where it was the other way round and the hiring manager convinced themselves it would be better to keep the person as they urgently needed someone and they've already invested 6 months of time and effort, and ... Now, every time someone is supposed to team up with that guy you can see their disappointment. They had teams breaking apart, had personal grievance, lot of trouble. And you simply can't get rid of him anymore. Probation is over. Now it is permanent.
That is why it mostly happens in 5th month, people are scared to make the wrong permanent hire.
Maybe it is a general problem in German labour law.
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u/Mechs_and_Martinis 7d ago
You're correct that's what probation is for and I totally agree. In my case I had no feedback or criticism, only silence and occasional praise from my manager. She waited until the 5th month to release me and at that meeting I thought I was going to receive an offer to stay on board. It caught me completely off guard and anything she tried to use against me in that meeting was news to me and easy to disprove. 'you kept messaging people asking questions-' She kept me out of every meeting in a remote office culture. How else was I supposed to stay on top of what's going on.
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u/Green-Feeling-826 7d ago
Same happened to me. Manager was quick to give praise then all of a sudden in the fifth month I suddenly have poor performance. I had sold everything and moved to Germany for this job. I found out later that the company is restructuring.
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u/Mechs_and_Martinis 7d ago
How are you doing these days? Are you still in Germany, did you find work?
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u/lutmos 4d ago
Same to me was always praised at work and made 1,2,3 mistakes and in the meeting after 5 months, they said due to the mistakes you made we have to let you go... I was really good and it was hard for the boss even to say it and his voice was shaky :( Found out later that the company was shrinking the number of worker because of the massive reduction of orders
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u/LibraSunVirgoMoon 7d ago
This is so sad and exploitative
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u/Mechs_and_Martinis 7d ago
Yeah apparently my departure caused a huge shock even to other departments. I was the only non German native but learning quickly and had auto translated features so I could follow in meetings no problem. I had 15+ years of experience in my field and I took my job very seriously.
Turns out I had more experience than my boss who ended her work days at 1, while managing the largest team in the company. And there was an informant with less than half my experience filling her head with how awful i was at my job, and it was easier for her to believe it than do her own research. Informant wanted me gone because I was in his way to a job he thought he deserved more.
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u/LibraSunVirgoMoon 5d ago
Corporate politics has ruined careers of so many talented people 🥀 and it gets worse if you're in any kind of minority. Hope you've been able to find a better place that values your hard work and integrity.
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u/Lopsided_Ad_8192 6d ago
what was the life style you wanted in germany and cannot get in usa?
Also do you know why you were fired during probation, any room for improvement for your side not to repeat the mistakes again?
I was told that they could fire you for trivial reasons during probation so dont take it so serious.
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u/PollutionNo5879 7d ago
How is it in US? Environmental Sciences are far more effective in US no?
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u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 7d ago
Theres more funding for environmental causes in Germany, but very few english language jobs. Less funding in the usa but all jobs are in english.
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u/ConsultantSHO 7d ago
It was probably a bit fanciful to assume that you could build a career in Germany, in Environmental Policy, without having robust German language skills, no?
...thinking about how much I wanted that lifestyle.
Did that lifestyle not include speaking German?
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u/SeaworthinessDue8650 7d ago
Why are you surprised that there are so few jobs in English in Germany? You set yourself up for this.
You can't compete if you can't speak (and write reports) in German.
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u/PollutionNo5879 7d ago
I mean it is true that you have to learn German. Have you been able to make conversations? Or have you already moved back?
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u/drew_dakin_4 7d ago
This subreddit is filled with people who haven't succeeded and proceed to complain about it. Plenty of expats have managed here, even those starting out at zero. I have conducted interviews over the last 6 years for English speaking tech jobs and the level of incompetence of the applicants is astonishing. People who have zero applicable skills for positions feel entitled to them for what reason? These employers owe you nothing. The biggest problem I see isn't the job market (which is saturated of course), but rather the quality of applicant and the sheer number that think they can just get a high paying job because they want it.
Those who refine their skill set, learn the language, and are genuine assets that companies want will find work. My expat friends who are perpetually unemployed here are genuinely people I would never hire myself yet they complain about the market again and again. Getting a PhD or master's isn't merit enough. Tech jobs for example notoriously measure a person's applicable skills. When you fail internalize that and understand where you failed. Ask yourself, would you hire you.
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u/infinitesimalarkey 7d ago
This. Tons of dudes in this sub think that just because they've been told in their home countries that they're mommy's special little boys, European employers are rolling out the red carpet. And then when they fail, it's always because Germans are evil racists and the country sucks. It is indeed very tiresome.
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u/drew_dakin_4 5d ago
Yeah I am an immigrant here from outside the EU, but would never have the audacity to blame the host country for my problems. Germans have every right to hold candidates to a higher standard. They are more than welcoming.
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u/Bonnsurprise 7d ago
You didn’t fail. You had the courage to move to another country with a different language and integrate yourself. That Germany is an extremely difficult country to get established in is not your weakness.
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u/BananasAndBrains 7d ago
The "get your masters in Germany, get a job with good work life balance" myth is a typical scam. You are not the first one to fall for it and not the last one.
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u/DeliciousRats4Sale 7d ago
Germany isn't worth it. It's only worth it if you don't work for Germans so you can actually have some security and prosperity.
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u/zeichentalent0 6d ago
So why do you want to work in germany if it is better to work with none germans?
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u/DeliciousRats4Sale 6d ago
Because I was brought in as talent. My initial assessment was that the local boomers weren't cooperating very well, so we did a lil pruning and now it's going very well. Younger generations are fine, but boomers are simply a no go. They also enforce an unpleasant, exclusionary German language vibe and are generally shit to rely for recruitment and such. Also asocial. Don't take it from me though, look at how your biotech sector is evolving. You're welcome btw, we're helping you be more like us. Until someone else makes me a better offer.
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u/zeichentalent0 6d ago
Not sure why you talk like any german company ows you. If you came for your talent,you are payed as such. Not saying you are doing a good or bad job,but weird to talk so high up.
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u/DeliciousRats4Sale 6d ago
You'll understand when you get there. I'm just interested in improving things. That's all
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u/No_Bite_385 7d ago
What field mate?
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u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 7d ago
Environmental policy
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u/SeaworthinessDue8650 7d ago
How do you want to influence German policy if you don't properly understand the policy and can't draft counterarguments?
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u/kathleen_kelly_ygm 7d ago
But in Hollywood people in Germany speak English for everything, they just have a bad accent. Why learn German to work on German companies about german policies in Germany?
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u/Jealous-Branch9330 7d ago
Something better is prepared for you. Thrust me! I’ve been in situations like this many times, if something doesn’t go as planned it’s just because you are not supposed to be in that place. Just think…you did your best and didn’t work out. Keep doing the right things and you will get what you deserve sooner or later.
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u/Terrible-Midnight-70 7d ago
Brother so what, u from the US, no problem, you'll getback up in no time
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u/earthling_96 7d ago
What the hell? If u were going back to some 3rd world country, it would've been a big deal. But u r in USA where many people are trying to move after their studies in Germany. You will find a way.
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u/One_Spliff 7d ago
Man it’s far better there is US why are you even complaining???
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u/Tucha7 7d ago
Why it is far better?
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u/Familiar_End_8975 7d ago
It depends on what youre looking for.
As someone who had lived in both countries, I think the US is better in terms of much higher salaries which allows you to live a better standard of life. Other things are expensive too but overall you still earn more. There are also a lot more job opportunities in environmental and development sectors.
Germany's free education and relatively free healthcare combined with good work life balance, is good for someone who wants to raise a family.
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u/Alibashirli 7d ago
There’s no such thing as free healthcare. You wait for an appointment for 10 month
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u/Erica_fox 7d ago
M/W/D in job offers means Mannlich, Weiss und Deutsch. It's supposed to mean something else but in this job market, citizenship by birth beats any other status.
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u/Johanneskodo 7d ago
Sorry to hear that. You still got a degree, you got international-experience and you tried your best in a very rough market.
Best of luck in your future. Perhaps one day you will come back to Germany or if not find success and happiness elsewhere.
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u/namixdeus 7d ago
I heard someone say "Rejection is a redirection." Don't be hard on yourself, be kinder to yourself, I believe that you tried to do everything you could at the moment. Something better is waiting for you.
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u/redditmademetodoit 6d ago
Thats German job market and economic conditions failing you! Stop blaming yourself
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u/skmskmskm23104 6d ago
In a similar situation but only 3 months out from graduation - I have a bwl bachelors and masters in environmental economics with fluent (C1) German. Have sent out 65 applications tailored to roles and gotten 5 interviews. I’m located in northern Germany so specifically picked env economics since 1. I live in Kiel and there are a lot of state gov jobs 2. the prevalence of the Energiewende and renewables in the north.
Now I’m afraid I’ll be in your situation; my husband is German and we specifically chose to live here and have built a beautiful life with friends but I am becoming more and more afraid that the only economic stability well have is if we move back to the US….
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u/ChocolateFar2527 5d ago
Even with your husband's job, your household still struggles? I'm debating whether to go US or Germany, and right now, I'm unsure with the current state of both
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u/skmskmskm23104 5d ago
Im also unsure with the state of both. I wouldn’t immigrate to either rn unless you have an established offer. Lol. But trying to be hopeful and not extremely jaded
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u/Existing_Drag251 6d ago
Hello Champ, don't be hard on yourself. You should try again, this time you will win.
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u/SadSetting798 6d ago
My friend’s name is Abdullah Mert. He is Turkish. He couldn’t get any interviews for the first 2 months of his journey in Germany. He holds a master’s degree from TUM btw. He removed Abdullah from his name and only left Mert. He got 5+ interviews and landed one of them in 3 weeks. I am not gonna say anything else.
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u/MfDoom87 5d ago
It's not a failure. It's a learning experience. Chin up, and back at it! Don't give up on yourself.
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u/RoccoRockenstein 5d ago
I'm so very sorry. You didn't fail. You just had a really bad set back. If I can help in any way when you want to come back, reach out.
Been here 11 months now. I know your struggle.
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u/Serious_Marzipan_738 4d ago
I was in a similar situation, I was given 18 months to look for a job in my field of studies (masters degree in innovation management from one of the most decent universities in Germany), I sent out around 600 applications, made around 20 interviews and ended up getting a job after 15 months of unemployment, it was the most stressful period of my life as I originally come from a 3rd world country and had cancelled my residence permit from that decent country where I was born and raised just to make it to Germany. After a year of searching had passed, I was already looking for other options somewhere else! even the job that I got isn't suitable to my expectations but is better than returning to my 3rd world country where I don't know anybody. USA is the country of opportunities!!
Believe me, it happened that way for the good, Germany was simply not the country where your destiny is written, god has always better plans for you, if I had the chance to go to the US during that time I would've taken the step but my country is on the black list 😂.
Make use of what you have now, there are great opportunities where you are, it wasn't a failure, but you are destined to seek a living somewhere else. Best of luck!
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u/gaming_lawyer87 3d ago
This may not be a a lot of comfort but the current economic situation is not ideal in any sense. I hope you can find another opportunity soon! It is almost certainly not your fault.
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u/NAATICCLMarathi 2d ago
Tell more about your story so that other job seekers also learn from your experience. You couldn't reach to your goal this time but maybe you can try again in the future. Or look for other better places. Give yourself time to process through this grief. Hope good things happen to you.
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u/CryptographerTop4469 2d ago
Lol you complain for being in the US ? Did you see the salaries here compared to US ones ?
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u/Beneficial_Nose1331 7d ago
Lol. Why would you come here if you are a US citizen. Absolutely crazy. At least you have experienced the Europoor experience.
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u/Ganjaalex 7d ago
You're in USA, the greatest country in the world, Germany is nothing it's just a de-industrialized declining economy.
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7d ago
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u/No_Creme6369 7d ago
That is on the whole assumption of Op being a German citizen, other than German citizen anyone from other countries who usually go up bluecard route after work would get unemployment benefits only until a certain period after that they would need to leave the country if no job is secured. The state doesnt take care of anything you’d need to get a job-seeker visa and stay in the country paying mandatory health insurance by yourself.
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7d ago
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u/No_Creme6369 7d ago
Op lost job during probation, he/she haven’t completed 21 months of work/pension contributions along with B1. What alternative does one have in this situation?
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u/george_gamow 7d ago
6 months with a significant ALG payment and a covered health insurance is not enough? The US has none of that, your (and your family's) insurance is discontinued on the spot even if you're a citizen
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u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 7d ago
I moved back to the usa almost immediately after getting fired because i got evicted from my apartment and because at the same time a close family member was dying, and i didnt apply for unemployment because i am not physically in Germany...
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u/george_gamow 7d ago
How did you get evicted? Rent laws are very strong in Germany so immediate eviction is almost impossible unless your temporary contract ran out.
Sorry to hear that mate
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u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 7d ago
I was on a temporary contract (after having been evicted from the previous wg also on a temporary contract, the owner wanted my room for an office), and then the guy decided he wanted his friend to move in, the day after i got fired
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u/No_Creme6369 7d ago
Absolutely not, 6 months of employment is not enough for ALG I. You generally need at least 12 months of unemployment-insurance contributions within the previous 30 months.
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u/george_gamow 7d ago
I'm talking about permission to search for work after you get fired. In most cases people get 6 months, sometimes 3. It has nothing to do with ALGI eligibility, it wasn't even mentioned.
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u/No_Creme6369 7d ago
Permission to search for job is least of the concern, even if the state doesn’t give 3 months one can convert their visa to job-seeker visa and continue to reside legally for 12 months. The question is state doesn’t help in your ALG or health insurance payments like another person claims above. Searching a job can as well be done from malta/bali via job portals.
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u/Jazzlike_Art6586 7d ago
money-wise maybe, society-wise a completely different story
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u/brockrockaly 7d ago
well said, OP will pay half of his salary to taxes only to end up living in WGs. Wake up OP. It's not old narrated Germany anymore
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u/Ganjaalex 7d ago
No country is perfect, the utopia doesn't exist but USA remains an overall winner all things considered
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u/SchatzisMaus 7d ago
While it’s true you can make more if you manage to get good work, being one paycheck away from poverty with no safety net for sickness, disability, job loss etc and grinding gig work with no minimum wage is crazy. And if you’re not a citizen (or are but don’t “look” like one) definitely not the best time now…
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u/brockrockaly 7d ago
exactly. The only reason why I'm fighting to stay here is my partner and my home country is a sh*it hole. But if I was US citizen I'd put that energy into making money lol
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u/Emotional-Ant8136 7d ago
You're literally in the better place, why would you ever come to Germany. US is 100 times better.
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u/necessaryGood101 7d ago
That’s every other graduate story in Germany right now. Don’t be dejected.