German Speaking Positions Vs English Speaking Positions
The thing about German-speaking positions is that they are much more difficult to fill than English-speaking equivalents. The main thing I would say is the biggest challenge comes when German-speaking positions are treated exactly the same as their English-speaking counterparts. Particularly when it comes down to experience, companies often lose out when they specify specific experience requirements in addition to the German language skill.
It is already challenging to find German-speakers who can do the job at the necessary language level. Sometimes this means they do have to be pretty much a native speaker. When we add specific experience on top, that’s when it can get unrealistic.
Location
Combining a specific type of experience with the location of a German-speaker, for example, you need German language skills, a particular experience profile and a set location.
These things can be tricky to find on their own, even for English-speaking roles. The big difference is, for every 1,000 English-speakers, there is only one German-speaker, to give an approximate number.
So, the likelihood of finding a German-speaker with all of the criteria, experience and location ticked, sometimes is impossible. German-speaking roles can be left open for months, or even not filled at all.
What is more realistic?
Being able to be flexible on at least one of your ideal criteria, purely due to the actual availability of German-speaking candidates.
Unfortunately, none of us can magic any more German-speakers into the market, as they are becoming harder and harder to find.
The decline in UK-based German speakers
With UK immigration laws requiring sponsorship now, it’s not the same as before Brexit. And an increasing, or rather decreasing, amount of students are choosing to study German at university.
So, it is a case of attracting the pool that are available in the UK and being realistic with that. German will become an increasing rare skill in the UK job market.
Though it does remain, for all companies, as the number one most requested language, due to how much trade is done between the UK and Germany.
The German-speakers are there for good roles, it is just about flexing requirements so that they can be filled with the UK pool of German-speakers.