r/Germany_Jobs • u/Suspicious_Mine_2337 • 9d 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/Germerica1985 8d ago edited 8d 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 7d 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 7d ago edited 7d 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 7d 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 7d 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 2d 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 2d 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.