OUR BLOG

Ola reveals her experiences being in Germany in the following video. View it here!

Video transcription

Hey, my name is Ola and I’m a Polish expat living and working in Berlin, Germany. I’m working as a Senior Country Specialist at KAYAK and I’ve been here 1 year and a half.

What brought me to Germany

I’ve been in Berlin for already eight years – I think the first time I visited Berlin was maybe 8-10 years ago and I had some friends who were living here and decided it would be a cool place to live. After I graduated and did my Bachelor’s degree in Poland, I just felt that I could also move to Berlin and do my studies here – and I did it.

My experience searching for a job in Germany

One summer when I was not living in Berlin yet and my friends were, I was like OK I could also maybe move for maybe 2-3 months and just check it out and see how it goes. So I found an internship and after that I did my Erasmus here abroad and I just kept in touch with the institution that I was working for and they had a job for me, so I actually started my Master’s degree and I also had a job – so that worked through the network that I had created: I just wanted to do something in the Polish Cultural Institute, so I just wrote them an email and asked if they were looking for someone and they had an opening in the film department. Then I just came for an interview and then started working on a film festival.

My #1 tip for expat jobseekers in Germany

I don’t think that you would need something in particular only for Berlin or the rest of the Germany – Just keep your network, ask around if you have friends who have friends that are living in Berlin – just reach out to them and say “Hey, this is my profession and I am searching for a job in this particular field” and then “Do you maybe know if someone is looking to hire?” or “Where can I find more information about jobs in Germany?” because it will get around. I have so many friends at the moment who will ask me “Hey my friend is moving to Berlin in one month” or “looking for some jobs and flats”, and then of course I already have an email prepared such as “If you’re coming here these are the websites that you need to check out etc.” I don’t really think there is something special about Berlin that you have to prepare for – just be pro-active. If you want a particular job, don’t just wait until there is an opening in the company – just reach out to them and maybe you can get something or get in touch with someone, get to know them and once there is a vacancy you will be contacted or considered – I think this is quite universal for every place where you look for a job.

Research before you come because when I get to know new people from work or different events I know that Berlin can be a very specific city in terms of compensation and some people I know from places like the UK maybe had some different expectations so check the life expenses and compensation.

If you’re looking for a job in Germany please check expatjobseeker.de

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