Working in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a city full of professional expats due to its identity as the financial center of Germany and one of Europe's most prosperous cities despite its small size. If you are serious about joining Frankfurt's labor market, chances are you will come across several work opportunities that will take your career to the next level.
The financial sector, IT and telecommunications, and pharmaceutical are among the most thriving sectors in Frankfurt. However, there are job offers, even though significantly less, in hospitality, academia, and arts. Working in Frankfurt means that you will have a healthy work-life balance, earn a good salary, and be able to add valuable work experience to your CV. Before you start considering working in Frankfurt, and especially if you are a non-European Union citizen, we recommend reading the work visas for Germany article in the Germany guide to help you understand the ins and outs of moving to Germany for work and following the legal procedures.
High-paying skills in demand in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is not different from other financial hubs where financial management, micro and macroeconomics, management consulting for complex business problems, sales, cybersecurity, coding, public relations, and analyst skills are in high demand. If you are an expert in one of these skills, you have good chances of entering Frankfurt's labor market with a high starting salary. Additionally, as an expat professional in Frankfurt, it is important to have substantial knowledge of the German language, even if English or another language will be used for business. Speaking German will help you understand the work environment, navigate Frankfurt's work culture, and establish a good rapport with your colleagues.
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Besides technical skills, critical thinking, teamwork, flexibility, and communication skills are in high demand, too.
The recruitment process in Frankfurt
All the competencies are well respected and should be organized neatly in a CV that will also include a professional photo — this may not be a common practice in many countries, but it is in Germany. References from previous employers and managers are always beneficial, and you should consider including at least one reference letter, even if it is not required by the recruiter. Most positions will ask you to accompany your CV with a cover letter, where you should focus on giving several good reasons (e.g., qualifications, professional experience, personality traits, etc.) to the employer to hire you. Remember to read carefully the guidance on the job application form in order to clarify the CV and cover letter's expected language, as well as the language in which the recruiter will conduct the interview if you are invited to the next phase of the recruitment process. The style of the interview depends on the company and varies from one organization to another. For example, bigger companies hold several interviews (one-to-one and panel discussions) with different stakeholders within a longer period of time, whereas interviewing for positions in smaller organizations may mean that you will speak directly to the CEO or founder early in the recruitment process.
Job search in Frankfurt
Finding a job in Frankfurt requires a methodical approach, good networking skills, and self-motivation that will help you cope with possible disappointments through the job searching process. If you aspire to become a team member of a multinational financial institution such as the European Central Bank, Deutsche Bank, or DZ-Bank, you can go directly on their website and subscribe to their newsletter to never miss an opportunity working with them. Frankfurt also has some world-renowned institutes, such as the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Brain Research, the ISOE Institute for Social-Ecological Research, and Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. If you are looking for a student job in the hospitality industry, you can visit the bar, cafe, or restaurant and speak directly to the manager about any vacancies. Student jobs in Frankfurt are also advertised on university reception boards and websites. Lastly, students in Frankfurt can intern with an organization and receive a salary, unlike other European countries where internships are unpaid.
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Legal requirements for working in Frankfurt
It is important to have the necessary information about the general requirements for entry and employment in Germany before beginning your job search and organizing your expat life in Frankfurt. For example, students who have arrived in Germany on a student visa are entitled to work 120 full or 240 half days in a year. Another thing to consider is whether your desired profession is regulated or unregulated, as practicing some professions requires the recognition of your qualifications by the German government or passing certain exams. In any case, when contacting employers and HR managers, you should not hesitate to explain your situation and the fact that you are planning to relocate from a different country. This will help your potential employer determine your visa status and decide whether they are keen on offering you sponsorship to meet the visa requirements.
