Job Hunting tips
Networking in Germany as an Expat: Why It's Different and How to Actually Do It
Most jobs are filled before they're posted. Here's how expats actually break into professional networks in Germany.
Most good jobs are never posted publicly. They're filled through networks — a colleague recommends someone, a manager asks their team, a recruiter quietly messages a connection. The formal application process is often just a backup for when the network didn't deliver fast enough.
That doesn't make job boards irrelevant. But if you want access to roles before they're advertised — with fewer competitors and more context — you need to be visible and connected in the right places. In Germany, this works a little differently than most expats expect.
LinkedIn: Your Professional Shop Window
LinkedIn functions simultaneously as a job board, a networking platform, and your public professional profile. A well-optimised profile means recruiters can find you without you actively applying — and in my experience, inbound contact from recruiters is significantly warmer than cold applications.
The core principle: use the same language as your target employers. Recruiters search by keywords — job titles, skills, tools. Without the right keywords in your profile, you won't appear in their results, regardless of how good your experience is.
Where to focus your profile:
Your headline is prime real estate. Go beyond your current job title — describe what you do and where you're headed. Something like: "Operations professional | Business Development | AdTech & SaaS | Berlin" is more searchable and more useful than a job title alone.
Your About section should read like you talking, not like a CV summary. Write in first person. Cover what you've done, what you're genuinely good at, and what you're looking for. This is the one place on your profile where your voice matters.
In Experience, treat each role like a resume entry — relevant keywords, specific accomplishments, concrete scope. The more your language mirrors how employers describe the roles you're targeting, the more likely you are to surface in searches.
In Skills, add every relevant hard and soft skill you have. Endorsements matter less than having the right words present.
Open to Work — turn this on and set it to visible to recruiters only if you're searching while still employed. It signals availability without broadcasting to colleagues.
LinkedIn's algorithm favours profiles that are closely connected to the person searching. The more you connect with relevant recruiters and people working in your target companies, the more likely you are to appear in their searches — even when you're not actively applying.
Building Your Network — Starting Where You Are
Start with people you already know: former colleagues, classmates, managers, clients. Their connections become your second-degree network, significantly expanding your reach without cold outreach.
From there, connect with people already working in your target roles and companies — even if you haven't met. Send a short, specific note explaining why you're reaching out. Find recruiters in your target industry and connect directly rather than waiting for them to find you.
When messaging someone new: lead with a genuine question or something useful. Never open with a job request. One specific question lands far better than a general expression of interest — and far better than the vague 'I'd love to connect and explore synergies' approach that gets ignored everywhere, but especially in Germany.
The Informational Interview
An informational interview is a conversation — not a job interview. The goal is to learn from someone already working in a role or company you're interested in. No pressure, no pitch.
Reach out on LinkedIn or through your existing network and ask for 20 to 30 minutes to hear about their experience. Keep the ask specific and genuine.
Useful questions to ask:
What does a typical week actually look like in this role?
What skills matter that don't show up in job ads?
How did you get into this field — is that still a common route in?
Is there anyone else you'd suggest I speak with?
Notice what's not on that list: asking about openings, or asking for a referral. This is a genuine conversation. Referrals and opportunities tend to follow — without being asked for directly. That's exactly how it's supposed to work.
Internal Networking Is Underused
Many expats focus entirely on external networking while ignoring the professional network they already have: colleagues from previous roles, managers from two jobs ago, clients from former positions. These people already know your work and are the most likely to refer you. In Germany, referrals remain one of the most common routes to employment — when a manager in another department has an opening, the first call goes to someone they already know and trust, not an outside applicant.
Practical ways to build internal visibility if you're still employed: join cross-functional meetings and workshops outside your usual circle, volunteer for projects that connect you with other departments, build genuine relationships with more senior people through initiative rather than visibility for its own sake. Aim to have at least ten colleagues who know your work well enough to recommend you specifically.
One more thing: Google yourself. Your name is the first thing a recruiter searches after reading your CV. If what comes up is outdated, inconsistent, or absent — that's worth addressing.
Xing vs. LinkedIn — Know Which to Use
For traditional German companies and the Mittelstand, Xing is still more prevalent than LinkedIn. For international companies, startups, and professional services — which is where I recommend most expats focus their search — LinkedIn is your primary tool and Xing is largely irrelevant.
Use the Expat Community as a Bridge
Germany has large and active expat professional communities, particularly in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg. These communities contain exactly the international companies and connectors most relevant to an English-language job search. This isn't about limiting your network to other expats — it's about recognising that these communities often hold the door open to the companies you're targeting.
Visibility Compounds Over Time
The strongest networking strategy isn't a sprint. The people who consistently find opportunities are those who've been steadily visible over time — sharing useful perspectives on LinkedIn, joining industry conversations, contributing to their field.
You don't need to become a content creator. Sharing a reflection or insight a couple of times a month is enough. Do it consistently for a year, and you'll have built something real: a network that knows you exist and associates you with a specific area of expertise. That changes the dynamic entirely — opportunities come to you, rather than you having to go looking for every one.
