What Does Year End Mean For My Berlin Job Search?
Hello there Reader -
Hope you're all having a good week so far! 💐 Today, we're going to discuss a topic that frequently comes up for Berlin job seekers - "What does year end mean for my job search?"
As we glide into another cold, wet, grey November in Berlin, the job market should remain quite active. Recruiters and hiring managers will be busy, screening job applications and getting in touch with potential candidates for interviews. Many will be looking to fill positions before year end and go to great lengths to ensure offers are extended, contracts are signed, visa applications are submitted etc. Unfortunately, this could also mean you see rejection emails in your inbox.
Then in December, it will get very quiet and you may find yourself wondering the status of your job application. Some companies close during the month, taking a break until the new year. More people than usual will be taking extended holidays due to the pandemic. Many haven't taken time off or travelled during the past two years and will now be required by their employers to use up their banked holidays.
What does this mean for you? You may not hear back from companies until the new year. So don't despair or worry - there's absolutely no reason to panic. If you're in the midst of a hiring process, it may take longer than usual and extend into 2022. Not hearing back doesn't necessarily mean you've been rejected either.
There's no reason to not keep applying for jobs in December. You can take extra time to improve your CV or cover letters, as well as research potential new companies to work for. If you're in a position to do so, you can also take a refreshing break from applying for jobs as well.
We have plenty of related resources to help:
1) Our (free) Working in Berlin guides - How To Write A German CV To Get Noticed By Employers and German Cover Letter Tips To Help You Get Noticed. Read our list of general tips about finding work in Berlin, as well as the reality of working here and how you can overcome potential obstacles.
2) Our comprehensive eBooks - Our first eBook takes you through cover letter writing step-by-step - from how to structure it, as well as how to tell a compelling story about yourself. Our other eBook talks about how to properly research a company, where to look for information, how to gather a holistic impression of them, questions to ask yourself and more.
3) On November 22, I'm hosting an online workshop, CV Tips & Tricks To Help You Get Noticed By German Employers where I'll personally dole out all sorts of advice on CV's. There will also be time for general Q&A from the audience! I'd love for you join and help you on your journey to Berlin.
Whatever you do during December, stay positive. 💖 By mid January, things will pick up again for sure. The country urgently needs skilled works. And as new yearly headcount budgets are unlocked, companies will be looking to hire more than ever.
See you in the next one,
Cheryl Howard - Founder of The Berlin Life