How to hire employees for relocation
The labor shortage in Germany forces many companies to search for employees abroad. In this article, we provide information on how to find suitable candidates abroad and what to keep in mind when relocating them to Germany.
How to find and attract international employees
The first step for recruiting employees abroad is to find, attract and contact them. Thanks to the internet, it is possible to reach potential candidates online across the world.
As a combination of traditional recruiting methods and new technologies like machine learning and data-driven analyses, Performance Recruiting enables you to recruit internationally with remarkable efficiency.
Job ads get placed across the internet of the specific foreign country you wish to hire employees from, including interest-based websites, platforms and social media channels. This way, you can ensure that your job advertisements are viewed by the right group of candidates at the right time.
Seeing your job advertisements on Facebook, Tik Tok or any other website, a candidate may decide to react to your job-ad and fill in the contact form to apply to your company.
Besides to directly addressing your candidates in the specific country, you also benefit from local employer branding. Other users also see your job-ads online and become aware of your company and the benefits of working with you.
Once you have received an application from an interesting and suitable candidate, you will have to schedule an online job interview with them.
Requirements for relocation to Germany
Once you have decided on hiring the suitable candidate, you need to keep in mind that there will be some time needed until the expat will be able to arrive and start working in Germany.
Challenges such as visa application processes and obtaining work and residence permits are central to recruiting employees from outside the European Union. Depending on their country of origin, different requirements apply regulating access to the German labor market. Taking enough time to clarify the required authorisations in advance helps to overcome legal obstacles at an early stage.
Relocation agencies provide essential help during these processes, take over administrative work and communicate with authorities.
Visa
Especially employees from outside the European Union require both a visa and a work permit, which must be approved by the relevant immigration authority and the Federal Employment Agency. Depending on the qualification and occupational field, there are specific types of visas that facilitate access to the German labor market.
Work permit
Permits to work in Germany are granted by the responsible immigration authority and the Federal Employment Agency and depend on various factors, such as the recognition of degrees, working conditions, type of residence permits, etc. The decisive factor is therefore for what specific purpose and with what qualifications a person wishes to work in Germany. A work permit will only be issued if all requirements are met.
Recognition of degrees, certificates and diplomas
In order for international employees to work successfully in German companies, their qualifications often need to be officially recognised. The recognition of professional qualifications, certificates and language skills is a key step in ensuring the comparability and validity of foreign qualifications in Germany.
The notarized transcripts or copies of educational documents need to be submitted to the relevant recognition bodies, such as the IHK FOSA for commercial and technical professions or the Chambers of Crafts and Trades for craft qualifications. The decision for recognition is based on a comparison of the qualification with German standards.
Accommodation
Arranging accommodation for your international employees upon arrival is very important. Especially in urban areas with housing shortages you should provide your employees with accommodation directly.
Marie-Celine Baum is Marketing Manager at the SCOUTMENT Social Recruiting Agentur GmbH, based in Germany. She is specialised in Performance Recruiting and Social Media Recruiting Services. With her international studies in the Netherlands and various stays abroad, including Cape Town – South Africa and Abu Dhabie – UAE, Marie-Celine supports the company with her extensive knowledge in international relations. She loves getting to know expats from all over the world and learning about other countries cultures, languages and specialties.