Job searching in Germany can be quite complicated, especially if you do not use the right tools. The classic job search options range from using specific websites with job offers to employment agencies, but the using social networks for job search in Germany is also widespread at the moment and should not be neglected.
Social networks for job search in Germany
These are the 3 most important social networks used in the job search:
Xing, a German-language professional social network founded in 2005.
LinkedIn, is the professional social network par excellence with hundreds of millions of members.
Facebook, can be very useful to get information from other compatriots already living in Germany. It is also possible to find job advertisements published in this social network.
Now let us see how to choose the social network for finding a job in Germany that best suits your needs:
- Is the website of the company you want to work for connected to a social network? If so, which one?
- In which social networks are the companies you are interested in present and active?
- In which social networks are the employees and managers of the company you are interested in registered?
- In which social network are there discussion groups related to your professional activity?
- How much time can you invest in these social networks?
Once you have answered these questions, you will have a clearer idea of which social network to focus on.
Xing is a widely used social network in Germany, but if you find that the company you are interested in is very active on LinkedIn, you should focus on that network. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with setting up an account on Xing as well, if you have the time to follow both platforms. Note that Xing currently has around 8 million registered members, while LinkedIn has several hundred million members, making it the world’s leading professional network.
Deciding which social network to join is a personal choice. All suggestions and advice are valid, but in the end it is a personal decision based on what everyone finds most useful for their goals.
Proper use of professional social networks
Users who log on to Xing and LinkedIn only to see job listings posted by other members are only using a portion of the site’s potential. For more efficient use of the platform, however, it is advisable to build up one’s own network and keep it active.
For your job search to have a chance of success, you must:
- have a profile in which the keywords are well indicated
- specify exactly what your professional field is
- actively use the social networks
- continuously participate in your groups, discussing and sharing information there
- always try to expand your network of contacts.
If you use Xing, we recommend that you use German and write as correctly as possible to increase your visibility. Also, do not forget to mention all the necessary keywords, because readers expect you to know exactly your skills, your field of activity and the job you are looking for.
Job seekers in Germany who use Xing often complain about the large number of messages that arrive in their email inboxes. These are not classic advertising spam, of course, but dozens of contact requests, notifications, etc. Many Xing users say that they are annoyed by the constant contact requests and are very skeptical when they are contacted by an unknown member. To stand out from the crowd, you need to be very careful with your profile and interventions.
Your posts must:
- be useful and intelligent clarify some interesting points provide useful information for other members
- demonstrate your skills without attracting too much attention
- highlight the quality of the work of other members
- in addition, you must build a network of contacts with the professionals who interest you and continue to cultivate these virtual relationships over time
Try to be proactive in obtaining all the information you need for your job search in Germany. Make contacts with people who work in your industry. These do not necessarily have to be recruiters, but rather people in the same industry who can provide you with useful information for accessing job opportunities.
The best way to be successful in your job search is to search through the contacts of your acquaintances. Perhaps your friend knows a recruiter or someone who can help you. In Germany, as in all countries of the world, there is a hidden labor market. It is estimated that more than half of job openings are filled through referrals or personal acquaintances.
