Cultural differences between India and Germany: How hiring Indians becomes a sucess!

By our guest-consultant and job coach Gitanjali More

As companies in Germany increasingly turn to the global job market to hire talented professionals, India has emerged as a key source of talent in recent years. Germany has become an attractive destination for Indians to move for IT jobs in particular, but also for research and engineering jobs. There is a lot of potential for companies in Germany to respond to this development and create a competitive advantage.

While it is exciting to move abroad for a new job, there is also a lot of uncertainty when moving into a new culture with a different language and work ethic. This is where companies can make the transition smoother for their new employees through cultural onboarding so that it can be a success.

Being aware of the cultural differences between India and Germany is the first step. What can employers look forward to when hiring Indian employees?

The largest group of skilled labor migrants coming to Germany comprises Indians, primarily due to the fact that many Indian universities are recognized as being on par with German universities.

Indian Work Culture

Indian work culture is characterized by a hierarchical structure, where respect for authority and seniority plays an important role. This means that employees are expected to comply to their bosses and follow their instructions, as this is a sign of high respect for seniority. They expect to be told what to do and how to do it. However, this does not mean that employees are passive or lack initiative. In fact, Indian employees are known for their creativity and problem-solving abilities. In Hindi, the word “jugaad” means an unconventional solution using temporary resources to solve a problem. Indians are experts at coming up with such unusual solutions to problems, because our daily lives require us to think on our feet.

Another important aspect of cultural differences between Indians and Germans is the emphasis on teamwork. Indians place a high value on collaboration and building strong relationships with their colleagues. This means that Indian employees tend to be very supportive of one another and work well in group settings. While they enjoy a healthy sense of competition, they also know how to work together. They often become friends and spend time together after work as well, further strengthening their work relationship.

Professional Behavior

In a professional context, Indian employees are respectful, polite, and well-mannered. They are also known for their strong communication skills, both verbal and written. However, it is worth noting that English is not the first language for most Indians, so there may be some language barriers or misunderstandings at first. But on the plus side, Indians pick up languages very quickly. In most parts of the country, you will find people speak at least three Indian languages or more. So, if they decide to learn German, you can rest assured that they will pick it up quickly.

In terms of work style, Indian employees are typically diligent and hardworking. There is a lot of emphasis on hard work in Indian society, those who work hard will succeed. They are not afraid to put in long hours or go above and beyond to meet deadlines and prove themselves. Indian employees are known for their attention to detail and willingness to learn new skills and techniques.

What German Employers Can Expect

German employers who hire employees from India can expect to gain access to a highly skilled and dedicated workforce. Indian society and culture gives a lot of importance to high quality education, so chances are, you will be employing someone with a degree (or even two) from top Indian universities. Indian employees bring a range of technical expertise, from software development and engineering to data analysis and project management.

Additionally, Indian employees tend to be adaptable and able to work well in multicultural environments, because India is so multicultural. In most companies in India, you will find employees from different parts of the country, bringing their unique culture and language to the workplace. This is an enriching experience and adds to the diversity of the workplace. This means that they can easily integrate into German work culture and collaborate with colleagues from different backgrounds.

It is important to note that there may be some cultural differences between Indians and Germans that can create challenges for German employers. For example, Indian employees may be hesitant to express disagreement or provide feedback directly to their superiors. They find it difficult to say no since that comes across as rude or unprepared. Instead, they may try to find indirect ways to communicate their concerns, which can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications.

Another noteworthy cultural difference between Indians and Germans is that Indian employees may have different expectations around work-life balance. In India, it is common for employees to work long hours and prioritize their work over personal life. While this may not be the case for all Indian employees, German employers should be aware of these potential differences and work to establish clear expectations around working hours and overtime.

Making the Onboarding Experience Smooth

When hiring international people, especially Indians, a good onboarding is important, not just for the work but also for the culture and expectations. This is an essential aspect of a successful working relationship and should not be overlooked. This initial investment will have a long-lasting positive effect.

To ensure a smooth onboarding experience for Indian employees, German employers should provide information about the company policies and procedures. This can include information around work hours, vacation time, and other benefits. Indian work culture favors long working hours and spending a lot of time with colleagues. Since this is not the case in German work culture, expectations should be set early.

German employers should establish clear channels for communication and feedback. This can help to address any concerns or misunderstandings early on and prevent larger issues from arising. For example, if there are rules on providing feedback or meeting deadlines, this should be communicated clearly to establish accountability.

Don’t forget the cultural onboarding! A workshop on intercultural communications for your Indian employees: this will ensure they understand German culture and history as well as their other international colleagues better so that they can have a smooth transition. Such a workshop would cover topics like culture, stereotypes and unconscious bias.

In comparison to German culture, Festivals are a very important aspect of Indian culture. They are times for celebrations, family time, religious practices and good food. Being aware of various Indian festivals and celebrating with them, can be a good way for companies to create goodwill with their Indian colleagues.

It is important that employers facilitate integration into the workplace by providing opportunities for socialization and team-building. Since Indians are used to community and friendships, they might feel isolated in a new country where they probably don’t know anyone. In order to help them settle down here, companies should offer group lunches, after-work events, or team-building exercises. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, German employers can help to ensure that Indian employees feel comfortable and supported in their new roles.

In addition to visa-services, Jetztpat also offers intercultural workshops to ease intercultural communication.

Gitanjali More is an intercultural communications specialist and facilitates trainings for a more productive intercultural work environment. Gitanjali is Jetztpats’ designated coach when it comes to intercultural trainings. You can learn more about Gitanjali by subscribing to her Blog.