When people think about “networking in Germany,” they usually picture standing in a crowded career fair, exchanging business cards, or having coffee chats in Berlin or Munich.
But here’s the good news: you don’t actually need to wait until you’re physically in Germany to start building your network. With the right approach, you can start making connections months before you even pack your bags. And when you finally arrive, it won’t feel like you’re starting from zero. You’ll already have people to reach out to, companies that recognize your name, and maybe even a few interviews lined up.
So, how do you actually start networking from abroad? Here’s a step-by-step plan that works:
- Polish your LinkedIn Profile
- Join German Industry Groups on LinkedIn & Facebook
- Attend Virtual Events & Webinars
- Reach Out to Alumni from Your School
- Follow Target Companies & Interact with Them
Let’s now analyse all of these steps in detail.
1️⃣ Step: Polish Your LinkedIn Profile
Think of LinkedIn as your digital handshake. For many German recruiters, it’ll be their very first impression of you.
Here’s what you should focus on:
- Add the right keywords: German recruiters use LinkedIn like a search engine. They type in job titles and skills: “Data Scientist,” “Mechanical Engineer,” “Digital Marketing Manager.” Those exact phrases should appear in your headline, about section, and work experience. Pro tip: check a few German job postings in your field to see what words keep repeating.
- Highlight international readiness: Germans value people who can work across cultures. If you’ve studied abroad, worked in international teams, or speak multiple languages, make sure that’s visible.
💡 Instead of writing “Graduate in Computer Science,” write something like: “Software Engineer | Cloud Computing | Open to Opportunities in Germany.”
Much stronger, and it tells people right away what you’re looking for.
2️⃣ Step: Join German Industry Groups on LinkedIn & Facebook
You don’t need to live in Germany to join its professional conversations. Many active groups exist online, and they’re goldmines for learning about trends, companies, and even job leads.
What to do:
- Find the right groups: On LinkedIn, search for things like “IT Jobs Germany,” “Marketing Professionals in Berlin,” or “Engineers in Munich.” On Facebook, you’ll find expat communities and career-focused groups.
- Don’t just like but engage: This is where many people go wrong. It’s not enough to just read. Comment on posts, ask questions, share an article you found useful. Even a short comment like “Great insight, thanks for sharing!” helps people notice your name.
- Show up consistently: You don’t need to post daily. But if people in your field see you pop up once or twice a week, they’ll start recognizing you. And recognition is the first step to connection.
Think of it like being at a party, if you stand in the corner quietly, no one remembers you. But if you say a few words here and there, people will know you exist.
3️⃣ Step: Attend Virtual Events & Webinars
Networking used to mean going to conferences in person. These days, many of those opportunities are online. That’s a big win if you’re not in Germany yet.
Where to find events:
- Eventbrite and Meetup: Just type “Germany” plus your industry, and you’ll find lots of free events.
- University career fairs: Some German universities open their virtual events to international participants.
- Industry associations: Tech? Check out Bitkom. Engineering? Look at VDI. Marketing? There are tons of digital marketing meetups happening online.
💡 How to get the most out of them:
- Prepare a short self-introduction (your “pitch”). Nothing too fancy, just one or two sentences about who you are and what you’re interested in.
- Use the chat box, thank speakers, ask a question, or say hi to other attendees.
- Follow up. This is where most people drop the ball. If you enjoyed a speaker’s talk, connect with them on LinkedIn and mention the event. That’s how you turn “random webinar attendee” into “potential connection.”
4️⃣ Step: Reach Out to Alumni from Your School
One of the easiest ways to build a network in Germany is by connecting with people who share your background. If you went to university abroad, chances are some of your alumni are already working in Germany.
How to find them:
- On LinkedIn, go to your university’s page → click “Alumni” → filter by “Location: Germany.”
- Some universities also have alumni associations or local chapters in German cities.
When reaching out, don’t ask for a job straight away. Instead, ask for advice. People are usually happy to share their story.
For example, send a short note like:
“Hi [Name], I saw that you studied at [University] too and now work in [Industry] in Germany. I’m planning to move there later this year, and I’d love to hear about your experience entering the German job market. Would you be open for a quick chat?”
Simple, respectful, and effective.
5️⃣ Step: Follow Target Companies & Interact with Them
If there are companies you’d love to work for, don’t wait until you apply. Start showing up on their radar now.
Steps to try:
- Make a target list: Pick 10-20 companies you’d be excited to work for. This could be big names like Siemens or SAP, mid-sized “Mittelstand” companies, or startups.
- Follow them on LinkedIn: Companies post about job openings, industry news, and projects.
- Comment on their posts: Don’t just hit “Like.” A short, thoughtful comment goes a long way. Example:
They post about a new sustainability initiative → you comment: “This is exciting to see! I’ve been following renewable energy trends, and I think this is a great step forward.”
Over time, recruiters or employees might start recognizing your name. And when you eventually send in an application, you won’t feel like a complete stranger.
Conclusion: How to build a network in Germany
Moving to a new country is exciting but also a little overwhelming and trying to “start from scratch” with your career in Germany can feel scary. The good news? You don’t actually have to wait until you land here to start building your network.
If you put in a bit of effort now, you’ll already have a few friendly faces and professional connections waiting for you when you arrive. And that makes a huge difference. Instead of feeling like a total outsider, you’ll feel like you’ve already got your foot in the door.
So don’t wait for “someday.” Start small today, and future-you in Germany will thank you.
Looking for support in finding a job in Germany? Make sure to check out all our premium career resources designed to help you in the process of landing more job interviews. Learn more here.
