Living and Working in Germany Facts about Germany

Living and Working in Germany Facts about Germany Surface Area: 357. 000 km² Population: 82. 6 Million Capital: Berlin with 4. 3 million inhabitants 16 Federal States (Bundesländer)

Living and Working in Germany Labour Market Unemployment Rate Seasonal adjustment West Germany: East Germany: 8, 6 % -89, 000 7, 0 % 14, 8 % about 3, 6 Million unemployed persons Employed: 38, 2 Million About 933. 000 open positions in Jan. 2008 The current number of unemployed persons is further decreasing.

Living and Working in Germany Labour Market Where are the jobs? – For University Graduates: Construction, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers, Project, Development & Testing Engineers et al. , IT-Specialists Medical Doctors Also Spanish Teachers Specialists in Metal Work

Living and Working in Germany Labour Market The following jobs are hard to find – University Graduates: Architects and Civil engineers Masters of Arts and Social Sciences Geographists and Geologists Biologists Journalists Lawyers Public services

Living and Working in Germany Social Security 5 branches of the Social Security System: ( Employer – Employee = 50 : 50) rates: Health Insurance Unemployment Insurance Pension Care Insurance Accident Insurance 12 – 14, 7 % 3, 5 % 19, 5 % 1, 7 % (Employer) 100 % Please find detailed information in English and French as well on www. deutsche-sozialversicherung. de

Living and Working in Germany Taxes P. A. Y. E. (Pay As You Earn) Automatically deducted from employee’s salary: Income tax 16 % - 45 % Church tax 8 % - 10 % of income tax 5, 5 % of income tax Solidarity tax

Living and Working in Germany Example Salary Calculation Salary pre-tax Income Tax Church Tax ~ 9% 3520, 00 € 722, 25 € 65, 00 € Pension ~ 10% 350, 24 € Health Insurance ~ 12 -15% (50% employer) 274, 56 € Unemployment Insurance ~ 3, 3% (50% employer) 58, 08 € Care Insurance ~ 1% 30, 00 € Solidarity tax ~ 5, 5% (of Income Tax) 39, 72 € ______________________________ Salary after tax 1971, 43 €

Living and Working in Germany Finding a Job in Germany Job Searching Methods: Internet: www. arbeitsagentur. de ( German employment service) http: //eures. europa. eu (EUropean Employment Services) www. ba-auslandsvermittlung. de Job fairs : www. careergardens. de Newspapers: A list of all German and also international newspapers can be found under: www. bsz-bw. de Yellow pages : www. gelbeseiten. de

Living and Working in Germany Applying for a Position What do German employers expect from you? Good German skills English skills Professional experience Motivation Team Spirit

Living and Working in Germany Applying for a Position Basic-Rules: 1. Application materials should be short and precise 2. Documents should indicate a differentiated picture of the applicant 3. Letter of application should be unique to the employer and the position 4. No mistakes should appear in the application (grammer/spelling)

Living and Working in Germany Applying for a Position In a DIN A 4 folder (usually plastic) you should send the following: 1. Cover letter (typed) 2. CV/Resume (tabular) 3. Passport-Photo! (nice and serious looking picture) 4. Copies of School, University diplomas and any professional training 5. Copies of testimonials and letters of references (Only mentioning names is not enough!)

Living and Working in Germany Applying for a Position The CV/Resume should be written in the following order: Name / Address / Date of birth / Marital status Schooling Training / University Practical training Work experience Others (Ex. Military Service, voluntary work) Languages Other Skills (Ex. Computer, Hobbies) Location, Date, Signature not more than 2 pages!

Living and Working in Germany When you have found a position: When you have found a job. . . the employee: Receives an income tax card from the local authorities and gives it to the employer Registers with a health insurance institution and informs the employer Receives a social insurance number and card (through the employer) Registers the new employee with the social insurance institutions (public or private). Health insurance, Pension insurance and unemployment insurance