career counselling Archives - Key for Mobility

There are two types of state support for unemployment: Unemployment benefit I (ALG I) is the main benefit of unemployment insurance and is intended to help prevent financial emergencies in the event of unemployment. The unemployment benefit II (also ALG 2, ALG II) – mostly called Hartz IV – is the basic security for employable people in need of help called “Hartz IV”.

Unemployment benefit I, also called ALG 1 or ALG for short, is the main benefit of unemployment insurance. It is intended to help prevent financial emergencies in the event of unemployment and is paid for three to at most 24 months, depending on the qualifying period and age.

Unemployment then exists

if there is actually no employment or employment of less than 15 hours per week (unemployment),
when actively looking for socially insured employment to end unemployment (personal efforts),
if placement efforts of the employment agency can and should be followed (availability).

The amount of unemployment benefit is based on the wages received in the 12 months prior to the application. Unemployed people with children receive 67%, unemployed people without children receive 60% of a flat-rate net salary. The maximum duration of receiving unemployment benefit I varies from 6 to 12 months. For older workers over 50 years of age, the reference period increases to up to 24 months.

Sources: https://www.dgb.de/themen/++co++4f82db0c-fca4-11df-7cf4-00188b4dc422
https://www.bmas.de/DE/Themen/Arbeitsmarkt/Arbeitslosengeld/arbeitslosengeld.html

Unemployment benefit II (ALG II) is the lowest social network that is designed to ensure the livelihood of everyone who can work. Colloquially, the ALG II – or ALG 2 – “Hartz IV” is called.

ALG II is provided to all persons who are at least 15 years old and have not yet reached the retirement age if they are employable and in need of help. If a person fulfills these conditions, the partner and the children also receive benefits – even if they are not able to work themselves. Only persons who are habitually resident in the Federal Republic of Germany are entitled to benefits. Special restrictions apply to people without a German passport and to people undergoing training. Union citizens who came to Germany to look for work are not entitled to unemployment benefit II in the first three months. The situation is different if EU citizens have been employed in Germany for more than half a year or one year.

Sources: https://www.dgb.de/themen/++co++4f82db0c-fca4-11df-7cf4-00188b4dc422
https://www.bmas.de/DE/Themen/Arbeitsmarkt/Arbeitslosengeld/arbeitslosengeld.html

Documents for download

Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Merkblatt 1:
https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/datei/merkblatt-fuer-arbeitslose_ba015368.pdf

DGB, Hartz IV, Tipps und Hilfe vom DGB:
https://dgb-shop.bw-h.de/media/products/0230958001581059788.pdf?MODsid=nepaf63jncdrimb1990adrcob7

Further information

Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Merkblatt 1:
https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/datei/merkblatt-fuer-arbeitslose_ba015368.pdf

Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Beantragung von Arbeitslosengeld:
https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/arbeitslosengeld/so-beantragen-sie-arbeitslosengeld

DGB, Hartz IV, Tipps und Hilfe vom DGB:
https://dgb-shop.bw-h.de/media/products/0230958001581059788.pdf?MODsid=nepaf63jncdrimb1990adrcob7

If you already have an employment contract, your employer will help you to complete the necessary formalities.
If you are looking for a job, there are a variety of information portals that can help you even before you enter Germany.

If you are looking for a job

EURES promotes the mobility of jobseekers within Europe through advice and placement. The offer ranges from Europe-wide vacancies, EU funding programs, information on living and working conditions as well as contact details for EURES advisers.

The Federal Employment Agency offers Germany’s largest online job portal.

At the JOBBÖRSE of the Federal Employment Agency, you can store your personal applicant profile in a closed area so that German employers can become aware of you and, if interested, contact you directly. Select targeted job offers tailored to your qualifications and interests. The job offers are updated daily for you, but they often appear in German.

You can also use the JOBBÖRSE as an app.

You can find detailed information about various professional fields on the BERUFENET website of the Federal Employment Agency.

“Hotline Working and Living in Germany” is a range of advice tailored to specialists from abroad. For personal advice, you can reach this service in German and English by chat, by e-mail [make-it-in-germany(at)arbeitsagentur.de] or via the hotline at +49 30 1815 – 1111.

Job portals and company websites: Many companies also publish their vacancies on their company websites. It is best to search under the key words “job offers”, “career” or “vacancies”.

Source: Make it in Germany – Jobinformationen für EU-Bürger
Source: Make it in Germany – Jobsuche

If you already live in Germany and are looking for a job:

Newspapers: Many newspapers publish national but also regional job advertisements in their weekend editions.

Employment Agency: The job of the Employment Agency is to support people in their job search. You can get free advice on site in almost all German cities. The employment agencies are branches of the Federal Employment Agency.

Talent profile: Get active and publish your personal profile online in the various business networks, the JOBBÖRSE of the Federal Employment Agency or other job portals. Interested companies will become aware of you and can contact you directly.

Job fairs: You can also visit specialist and job fairs or congresses, where there is always the opportunity to talk to company and company representatives.

Recruitment agencies: Private recruitment agencies offer another alternative to job search. They are looking for a suitable position for you. Inquire in advance whether fees will apply if you want to use the service of a private placement agency.

Family and friends: Friends and family support us in life so often. Tell your friends and family about your desire to live and work in Germany. Perhaps someone you know has an interesting contact or a good tip for you.

Source: Make it in Germany – Jobinformationen für EU-Bürger
Source: Make it in Germany – Jobsuche

If you already have an employment contract

If you already have an employment contract, your employer will help you to complete the necessary formalities. You should have:

Valid identity card (ID card) or passport
Complete and current resume
School certificates, general and vocational qualifications and certificates
If necessary, job references and letters of recommendation

Your future employer will support you in the following:

Checking and signing the employment contract
Registration with a statutory health insurance company
Registration with social security (done by the employer)
Health examination
Procurement of further documents if necessary

Further information

The European Portal on work mobility (EURES):
Das Europäische Portal zur beruflichen Mobilität (EURES)

The Employment Agency:
Die Agentur für Arbeit

Make it in Germany.
The Federal Government’s Portal for professionals:
Make it in Germany

Job market of the Employment agency:
Die Jobbörse der Agentur für Arbeit

BerufeNet – the detailed information about professions and vocations proposed by the Employment agency:
Das BerufeNet – die Berufsinformationen der Agentur für Arbeit

Germany

Unemployment allowances

Subordinate work