Germany is the second most popular migration destination in the world (after the US) and, per the latest survey by Internations, the ‘western capital’ Düsseldorf is the country’s most popular destination for foreign residents.
Those expats who already call Düsseldorf their home, are often proud to live in a melting pot of different cultures, and the city’s diversity is still one of the biggest allures for those on the outside (that and the cheap beer!)
Of the 600,000+ residents, around a quarter do not own a German passport, and most of this segment speaks English.
With so many internationals living in the city, and only a handful of larger companies employing non-native German speakers, the job market can be quite competitive for unemployed expats despite there being a number of excellent online sources to find expat jobs.
If you’re looking for some more job tips, check out our post on how to write a german-style resume and find out exactly how much you can/should be making in certain job fields here in NRW.
So, we sought out some expert advice to help us find more expat jobs in Düsseldorf.
One of the most famous multi-national, English-speaking companies based in Dusseldorf to find expat jobs is trivago. Of the 1,300+ people working at trivago, only one-third are German nationals, with talents from over 55 different nationalities represented.
trivago’s MD Rolf Schrömgens recently attributed trivago’s success to the success of immigration and having a diverse workplace culture.
The company keeps growing and new arrivals from every corner of the globe join every week…
so what makes certain applicants stand out from the crowd?
This is what we asked the experts so that you can find your perfect job in Dusseldorf.
1. Include your non-work-related activities
“Make sure to mention activities besides work-related ones (social engagements, your own business, study projects etc.). Basically, everything that adds value besides the usual internships, university degrees, studies abroad, etc. These things are great but they are becoming more and more common so you might not stand out as much as you would have previously” – Ann-Kathrin Stock, Consultant
If you feel the need to spruce up your resume with some more education, there are a number of excellent English speaking universities around the area you can consider applying to.
2. Impress with a tailored cover letter
“The most important thing is to impress with a tailored cover letter. This is your chance to really stand out from hundreds of candidates and get a competitive advantage. Motivation letters are a big deal in Germany, if not so much anywhere else. Try also to avoid using an online template for your CV/cover letter, the layouts can be very ugly, recruiters see them all the time and they do not make a good first impression. Be creative!” – Jessica Wegener, Consultant
If you want to know exactly what you should include in your German-style tailored cover letter, check out this blog post.
3. Make it easy for the recruiter
“Always make it easy for the recruiter! Don’t just apply with your standard CV. Think about the specific tasks from previous roles that make you a great candidate for the position you are applying for, and lose the rest! By providing these insights into your experience and responsibilities the recruiter would be able to easily understand what you can offer the company” – Eileen Merx, Consultant
4. Be authentic!
“Don’t worry about being perfect, just show that you really want the job. Authenticity is a big plus!” – Maren Eliaschewitz, Consultant
5. Look for alternative application routes
“Have a look for other ways to apply. For instance, at trivago we have just launched a Talent Community, where job seekers can upload their CVs, profiles, and interests. That is how you get on our radar. Our recruiters now visit the Talent Community before anywhere else when looking for good applicants” – Julia Grab, Team Lead / Talent Recruitment
Looking for some inspiration on where to start finding expat jobs? trivago is hiring and their offices are English speaking. Here’s a sneak peek of what you might be able to expect!
