Working in Germany

Ready to make a difference in the world? Working in Germany is one of the best ways to do it - and WHU can show you how.

We are living in a time of unprecedented change, and in times like these, the best antidote to uncertainty is action and innovation. If the recent shifts in daily life have left you wondering where your talents fit in, consider starting your academic and professional career in Germany. Here, innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a pillar of our economy. Germany is home to thousands of companies dedicated to tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the 21st century, and these companies recruit talented people from all over the world. Finding jobs in Germany is easier than you might think, and English speakers are in particularly high demand.

What it’s like to work in Germany

Germany is a diverse, cosmopolitan country full of talented and driven people. About one-fifth of its current population was born abroad, and nearly one-third of the 6.1 million people who have immigrated here since 2013 came specifically to work or study. Underpinning all of this is a strong, stable economy: jobs in Germany are plentiful, and the country enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU. What better way to build your résumé than by working here?

The events of the last few years have proven troublesome for virtually every economy around the world, and Germany is no exception. Yet it remains more capable of weathering these challenges than many other economies. From modernizing its industry through the expansion of digital technologies, to supporting the rise of green jobs, to encouraging the growth of its IT and biotechnology firms, Germany has worked hard over the past few decades to ensure it remains current and competitive.

With so many up-and-coming businesses, Germany is need of qualified workers. Fortunately, Germany is committed to welcoming skilled professionals from all over the world. Most recently, an update to the legal framework that streamlines the recruiting of foreign talent has made the process of moving to and working in Germany easier than ever.

Germany’s start-ups create jobs for English speakers

Naturally, bringing all these talented people together means ensuring they can work together and communicate with each other. In practical terms, that means a great deal of business in Germany is now conducted in English. In fact, in many workplaces across the country these days, you may even hear more English than German.

This is especially true for the country’s numerous start-ups. Today, German start-ups directly employ as many as 415,000 workers, and their activity generates a collective 1.6 million domestic jobs. These companies are often “young” in both age and outlook—most of them were founded to address a new challenge facing our society or to bring a fresh perspective to an old one, and many of them describe themselves as part of the “green economy .”

Start-ups are an excellent place to find a job if you hail from outside Germany. With their high propensity to attract skilled professionals from abroad, start-ups are among the most reliable creators of jobs in Germany for English speakers. Thanks to the diverse start-up scene here, you’re almost certain to find a company where you can make a career out of driving the change you want to see.

But what if you’re not sure what the best next step is?

WHU: Opening doors to working in Germany

If you’re serious about being a part of change, you’re going to need the interpersonal and managerial skills that will help you make it happen. And despite all the upheaval the corporate world has experienced recently, it’s still very much worth your time to learn what makes it tick. Studying business teaches you how modern companies work “behind the scenes” and gives you a wealth of transferable skills that you can bring virtually anywhere.

At WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, our degree programs are designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to take on a management role. Each of the programs can be completed entirely in English, and our focus on hands-on learning means you’ll gain practical experience well before you’ve even left the classroom.

Maybe you’ve heard of FlixBus, the budget-friendly travel company that takes holidaymakers to destinations all over Europe in state-of-the-art electric coach buses. Or Zalando, the online retailer whose legendary work-life balance and progressive company culture have been making headlines for years. Or HelloFresh, the leading home-delivery meal kit company that’s reducing food waste and revolutionizing sustainable packaging through data-driven practices. Each of these companies has brought radical change to its respective sector of the economy, and each owes its success to its modern, diverse workforce. And each of their founders got their start at WHU.

What makes WHU truly special—particularly if you’re interested in staying in Germany—is our unparalleled networking potential among alumni and fellow students and our direct access to many of Germany’s most innovative and exciting places to work. We host several intensive career fairs and workshops every year that allow students to meet representatives of many different German and international companies, and we make sure undergraduate students can join in on the fun from their very first semester. We also go out of our way to create an environment where students help each other, whether they’re still on campus or out in the professional world. Over 90% of our graduates join In Praxi, our alumni association dedicated to fostering connections and providing opportunities for fellow students.

We also strongly encourage our students to bring their own business ideas to life, even during their studies. Through student-led clubs like IdeaLab! and our WHU Accelerator program, we’ll help you develop your ideas, craft solid business plans, and find the support you need.

So, if you’re ready to explore the world of business, take a closer look at our degree programs. We’re ready to help you make a difference in the world.