Building Strong Profiles for Job Opportunities as a Master's Student in Germany

1️⃣ Volunteer for a Credible Organization

Even before moving to Germany, while I was still in Vietnam, I applied to volunteer for “Study in Germany – Land of Ideas” campaign —an initiative the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in 2001. My role? Writing blogs about student life in Germany.

🎯 Key transferable skills I gained:

✅ Professional Writing

My major requires a lot of writing, so I made it a habit. Through my volunteer work, I improved my ability to write objectively, respect copyright laws, and ensure content quality. Plus, I had a senior mentor proofreading my work, which helped me grow! 

✅ Time Management

My first few articles took forever to complete—brainstorming ideas, taking photos, writing drafts, and editing… But practice makes perfect! Now, writing comes naturally to me, and I can even manage three social media platforms, including my own channel simultaneously! 

2️⃣ Managing Teams 

Once I arrived in Germany, I joined DEGIS (Deutsche Gesellschaft internationaler Studierender), a non-profit organization that supports international students in integrating into academic life. Here, I lead the Marketing team in the Nürnberg-Erlangen Chapter, creating educational content, collaborating with Events and HR teams, and organizing online & offline events.

🎯 Key transferable skills I gained:

✅ Discipline 

Content creation became a habit—and it keeps me focused! I balance academics, volunteer work, and personal life while ensuring I don’t get overwhelmed. 

✅ Team Management 

Working solo is easy. Leading a diverse team in a foreign language? Now that’s a challenge! Managing people, communicating with external stakeholders, and coordinating across multiple teams sharpened my leadership skills. 

3️⃣ Sharpening Your German 

While there are English-speaking job opportunities in big German cities, they are highly competitive—and in smaller cities, they are much rarer. Fluency in German can set you apart! 

You might consider private lessons or intensive courses, but there are plenty of free ways to boost your language skills too! Check out my article where I break it all down. 👇

🎯 Free ways to improve your German:

✅ Join free university language classes 
✅ Participate in speaking clubs at your university or local community 
✅ Play games in German (fun and educational!)
✅ Practice German online with fellow expats 

Reminder: There are no shortcuts to fluency! Regardless of the method you choose, hard work and consistency are key to achieving your language goals. 

4️⃣ Attending Local Job Fairs (Jobmesse)

Last but not least, local Job Fairs are goldmines for networking! They help you understand what companies need, market trends, and the skills you should develop. I attended a Job Fair in Nuremberg and spoke with recruiters, pitched myself, and followed up on opportunities.

🔥 Tips for Job Fair Success:

✔️ Research job fairs in your area (including nearby cities!)
✔️ Read up on participating companies: their industry, location, and job openings!
✔️ Prepare your CV with skillsets tailored to the roles!
✔️ Practice your elevator pitch (in English & German if possible!)
✔️ Network! Speak with company representatives and confidently present yourself—you never know where it may lead!

Final Thoughts

As a student, your top priority is excelling academically. While part-time jobs can help financially, they don’t have to be your main focus in the first six months. Instead, invest your time in skill-building—through volunteering, networking, and leadership roles. These experiences set you apart when job opportunities come knocking!

As Catherine Pulsifer wisely said:
“To see an opportunity, we must be open to all thoughts.”

So keep learning, keep growing, and keep grabbing those opportunities!