If you’re an international professional or student planning your career in Germany, one of the first questions you might ask is: Which professional networking platform should I focus on: LinkedIn or Xing?
Both platforms have their unique features, strengths, and limitations, and understanding these can help you make the most of your job search and networking efforts.
In this post, we’ll compare LinkedIn and Xing in detail, helping you decide where to invest your time and energy.
LinkedIn: The Global Networking Powerhouse
LinkedIn is widely recognized as the go-to platform for professional networking around the world. Its popularity in Germany has grown steadily, particularly among international talent and multinational companies. But what makes LinkedIn stand out, and what should you be aware of?
✅ Pros of LinkedIn
- Global Reach 🌍
One of LinkedIn’s strongest advantages is its global reach. Recruiters, HR professionals, and business leaders from all over the world use LinkedIn to identify and connect with talent. For international professionals aiming to land roles in Germany’s multinational companies, this is a major advantage. Unlike Xing, which is primarily Germany-focused, LinkedIn allows you to be visible to both domestic and international recruiters. - Growing User Base 📈
LinkedIn is growing rapidly in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), now boasting over 22 million users. This growth means more opportunities for networking, discovering jobs, and following industry trends. - Better for International Roles 💼
Most multinational companies in Germany, especially in tech, finance, and consulting, focus their recruiting efforts on LinkedIn. If your goal is to work for companies with a global presence or positions that require English proficiency, LinkedIn is generally the better choice. - Strong Search Tools 🔍
LinkedIn offers advanced search functionalities for finding recruiters, companies, job postings, and professional groups. This makes it easier to strategically target connections and opportunities, rather than relying on chance. - Content-Friendly Platform 📰
LinkedIn allows you to post articles, videos, and updates, giving you a platform to showcase expertise, share insights, and engage with your professional community. For international professionals, this can be a great way to demonstrate language skills and industry knowledge. - Active Networking 🤝
Making meaningful connections on LinkedIn is straightforward. You can connect with decision-makers, join relevant groups, and engage with posts to increase your visibility. This level of active networking can be crucial for job opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised.
❌ Cons of LinkedIn
- Highly Competitive ⚡
While LinkedIn’s global reach is a major advantage, it also means you’re competing with a much larger pool of candidates. Having a strong, polished profile with clear accomplishments, recommendations, and a professional photo is essential to stand out. - Time Investment 🕒
Consistency is key on LinkedIn. Regular networking, content creation, and engagement take time. Simply creating a profile and waiting for opportunities is rarely enough. - Some Features are Paid 💸
Certain features, like LinkedIn Premium or Recruiter tools, require a subscription. While you can use LinkedIn effectively without paying, these paid tools can provide advantages, such as better visibility of who viewed your profile and more direct messaging options.
Xing: The German-Focused Professional Network
Xing has been Germany’s answer to LinkedIn since the early 2000s. Traditionally, it was the platform of choice for networking within German-speaking countries. But the landscape has shifted, and Xing’s relevance has been evolving.
✅ Pros of Xing
- German-Speaking Focus 🇩🇪
Xing has a strong base of German-speaking professionals, making it particularly useful if your target audience or potential employers primarily operate in Germany. For certain local industries such as engineering, manufacturing, or traditional SMEs Xing remains relevant. - Still Used by Traditional SMEs 🏢
While multinational companies have largely moved to LinkedIn, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany still maintain a presence on Xing. If you’re targeting domestic hiring or regional companies, Xing can help you reach recruiters who are more comfortable with German-language platforms. - Event Features 📅
Xing offers professional events and group features, which can still be useful for networking locally. Attending webinars, meetups, or workshops through Xing allows you to meet industry peers and recruiters in person or virtually.
❌ Cons of Xing
- Declining Relevance 📉
Xing has been losing market share to LinkedIn in recent years, particularly among younger professionals and international talent. Its user base is growing much slower than LinkedIn’s, which can limit the exposure and opportunities you get on the platform. - Limited International Reach 🌍
Unlike LinkedIn, Xing has very little presence outside German-speaking countries. If your goal is to explore international roles or connect with multinational companies in Germany, Xing’s reach is limited. - Feature Reductions 🚪
Xing has reduced or removed some features over time, limiting engagement opportunities. This includes fewer tools for job searches, content sharing, and analytics compared to LinkedIn. - Fewer Active Recruiters ⚠️
Many recruiters have shifted entirely to LinkedIn. While you can still find some active recruiters on Xing, the number is decreasing, and this limits your chances of being discovered organically.
Conclusion: So, which platform should you use: LinkedIn or Xing?
For international professionals looking to build a career in Germany, LinkedIn is generally the better choice. Its global reach, strong search features, content-sharing options, and growing DACH presence make it ideal for finding multinational roles and networking with decision-makers.
However, Xing still has its niche. If you are targeting German-speaking SMEs, local networks, or specific industries like engineering, manufacturing, or traditional corporate sectors, maintaining a presence on Xing can complement your LinkedIn strategy. You don’t need to be active on both at the same level, think of Xing as a secondary platform, useful for selective networking and events.
Remember, no platform alone will guarantee success. Your profile, engagement, and networking efforts are what truly make the difference. By strategically using these tools, you can position yourself as a competitive candidate in Germany’s vibrant job market.
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