FAQs

An application in Germany should always include an up-to-date CV. A cover letter can also be included. You can find out how best to write these documents under Application tips or you can attend our seminars or take advantage of our counselling service!

You can also attach references and other relevant certificates to your application.

It all depends on how much experience and "life stages" you already have and have had. Student CVs are usually one page. If you already have professional experience, it can be two pages. You can find out more about the CV here.

The content of your CV should be decided at your own discretion. While the absence of some elements such as your contact details, experience and education would counteract the purpose of a CV, other data is purely supplementary to increase your chances. This includes information such as nationality, age or marital status, but even a photo is no longer mandatory these days. So you should always ask yourself: Does providing this information increase my chances of being invited for an interview?

Your application documents (e.g. CV, cover letter) should be written in German. Only for certain companies (mostly international) can the application documents be written in another language.

For years, applicants have been told that a complete CV is the non plus ultra. But let's be honest: what life is without stumbling blocks? And recruiters know that too. The only question is how to deal with "gaps" or career breaks in your CV.

First of all: Lying is not a suitable strategy! Stand by your decisions and avoid unclear paraphrases. You should not conceal the gaps in your CV, but also not emphasise them. Make it clear that you have emerged stronger from this situation and have learnt something for yourself. The ability to self-reflect is valuable and speaks more in your favour than against you. However, there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for the right choice of words here. Every situation, every CV requires individual solutions. Take a long hard look at your CV and your situation and get help if necessary. We are also happy to support you in creating a personalised CV.

Preparation is everything. If you are invited to a job interview, you should always expect to be asked questions about your details. The potential employer may ask you about one or two gaps. In this case, it helps to have thought of good arguments in advance. Present yourself confidently and stand by your decisions.

Tip: Gaps of up to three months are generally considered unproblematic.

It is generally not necessary to include personal references (e.g. telephone numbers of former employers) in your CV. In Germany, a "Arbeitszeugnis" is considered a reference. (See: Which certificates should be included in an application?)

In the academic field, published papers or completed project pages can also be linked.

Attached certificates and diplomas emphasise the seriousness of your application and are therefore an important component. This gives the employer the opportunity to check the information in your cover letter and CV. As a general rule, it is therefore important to back up all the information you provide about your professional career with references - including references and certificates that you believe do not show satisfactory performance in order to avoid mistrust on the part of the employer.

In the age of online applications, however, this requirement can no longer be met due to the limited size of the email attachment. The only documents required are the most recent university degree certificate and the most recent employer reference (Arbeitszeugnis), if available. A distinction is made between a "simple reference" (Einfaches Arbeitszeugnis - less than 3 months of employment) and a "qualified reference" (Qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis - also includes an assessment of the employee's character).

All references are summarised and attached to the existing PDF document in the email so that only one PDF document is sent with all application documents.

Work experience basically includes all activities in which practical knowledge and skills can be acquired. This includes

• Internships
• Working student jobs
• School and holiday jobs
• mini-jobs
• Project work
• previous jobs

However, it is advisable not to list all the holiday or mini-jobs you have ever held in your CV. Instead, concentrate on jobs that are relevant to the advertised position. However, if you have had many short jobs that are not relevant to the position, it may be useful to mention these in your CV to explain any gaps in your career.

Voluntary activities should be listed as a extra point in your CV.

References and certificates prove that the information in your cover letter and CV is true. It therefore makes sense to have your references translated, although they should not be translated by hand. This rarely makes a professional impression. The "language of references" also has its pitfalls, which is why a professional translator is the better choice.

It is also common to have the translation notarised. Even if a notarisation usually means additional costs in addition to the professional translation, it underlines the quality and seriousness of your application. Don't save money at the wrong end!

What is written in your internship or working student contract applies here. If a probationary period is specified there, then there is also a probationary period. This should be adapted to the length of the internship. For working student jobs, there is usually a regular probationary period of 6 months.

If your employer has not provided an internship or working student contract for you to sign, you should definitely seek a dialogue and insist on a contract. Why is this important? An employment contract sets out all the legal framework conditions of your employment relationship, such as your salary, the fixed term, working hours and holiday entitlement. If there are any ambiguities or conflicts, the employment contract serves as a binding basis. Because: What is regulated in the contract applies!

Information without guarantee. In an emergency, a labour lawyer can help you.

• Personal tax number (SteuerID): The number is assigned automatically after registration at your place of residence. It can be requested from the relevant tax office (Finanzamt).
• Personal national insurance number (Sozialversicherungsnummer): Issued by the statutory health insurance company.
• Proof of enrolment: Available in the BTU online portal.
• Proof of health insurance: Can be requested from the relevant health insurance company. Important: The health insurance company should be informed of any new activity before the contract is concluded. In addition to your own information, the employer will also provide information about your employment.

An employment contract should always contain the following information

• Name and address of the employer
• Your name and address
• Start date of the employment relationship
• Place of employment
• Description of the job
• Details of your working hours
• Your salary
• Your holiday entitlement
• Information on break arrangements
• Notice periods

This information is also useful:

• Information on any fixed-term contracts and probationary periods
• Rights and obligations in the event of illness
• Regulations for secondary employment
• Rules on private use of internet and telephone
• Rules on travelling costs and expenses
• Confidentiality clause
• Collection, processing and use of personal data

You will therefore often also have to sign other documents, e.g. a data protection declaration or an additional confidentiality agreement.

You should always read your employment contract thoroughly and address any questions directly. Take note of working time restrictions, tax-free allowance and any visa requirements, etc.

Information provided without guarantee. A labour lawyer can help you if your employment contract has been breached. The iQ network offers free assistance. 

Working alongside your studies is always possible and not only gives you a certain amount of financial independence, but also allows you to gain your first practical experience. However, you should bear this in mind:

• Students are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period in order to not lose other benefits, e.g. you do not pay health-, long-term care- and unemployment-insurance on your employment, you may lose your child benefit entitlement and scholarships may also be jeopardised if you work more than 20 hours. So talk to the scholarship provider in advance.
• Special regulations apply to employment during a dual study programme, which you should check with your pension and health insurance provider.
• Students who complete a compulsory internship during their studies (prescribed in the study and examination regulations) are exempt from social security contributions. The amount of weekly working hours and remuneration are irrelevant. In the case of a voluntary internship during your studies, which is appropriate but not prescribed in the study and examination regulations, you can be exempted from the pension insurance obligation. This only applies if the internship remuneration does not exceed 538 euros per month.
• If the total regular income in 2024 exceeds 538 euros per month, students must take out their own health insurance and pay contributions to long-term care and pension insurance. This also applies if they have family insurance! Income also includes income from capital gains. Mini-jobs are excluded.
• BAföG recipients who earn more than 536 euros must offset part of their income against the state grant.
• During the lecture-free period, you may exceed the 20-hour week for 26 weeks per year. However, this must be announced in advance (e.g. because otherwise you could lose your status as a student with the health insurance companies). Talk to your employer beforehand!
• Special payments (e.g. holiday pay, Christmas bonus) must also be added to your regular earnings on a pro rata basis. Please note that if you earn 538 euros per month plus a Christmas bonus, you are no longer considered to be marginally employed!

Information without guarantee.

As an international or exchange student, you are allowed to work in Germany, but there are certain restrictions.

The following regulations have applied to international students since 1 March 2024

Working hours:

• 140 full or 280 half working days per year
• Alternatively, you can work up to 20 hours per week as a working student

Special features:

• Half working days are days with up to 4 working hours
• You may work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the lecture period
• During the semester break you can work more than 20 hours per week (26 weeks per year maximum). The employer must have notified the health insurance fund and tax office of this in advance.
• Activities as a student (research) assistant at the university are not subject to these restrictions and can be carried out additionally
• Compulsory internships as part of your studies do not count towards the 140 permitted working days

Restrictions:

• As a full-time student, you are not allowed to work full-time (30-40 hours per week) as this would jeopardise your student status
• International students from non-EU countries are not allowed to work freelance or become self-employed
• Please note that the above restrictions on total annual income also apply to international students (see question: "What do I need to bear in mind if I work alongside my studies?")

Information without guarantee.

Attention! When you graduate, you are no longer a student and need a work visa!

After successfully completing your degree, you can extend your stay in Germany by applying for a residence permit for jobseekers under Section 20 (1) No. 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). The residence permit is issued for up to 18 months as a means of finding skilled employment in Germany. You can work in any occupation while looking for skilled employment. As soon as you have found a qualified employment position, you can apply to convert your residence permit for study purposes into a residence permit for skilled workers or an EU Blue Card. You can find out more about the opportunities available to you while you study in Germany and after you graduate hier: “Prospects after graduation”. (Source: www.make-it-in-germany.com)

In principle, the same rules apply to international students as to domestic students with regard to tax classes.
As a student, you generally belong to tax class I. This tax class is automatically assigned by the tax office if you are not married.

If you have a second job, the second job will be taxed in tax class VI.

You can find an overview here. If you have specific questions, you should ask a tax consultant or the tax office (Finanzamt). You also have the option of joining an income tax assistance organisation (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein).

Information without guarantee.