When I first moved to Stralsund - a city with roughly 60,000 people in northern Germany, I was worried that finding a part-time job would be nearly impossible. I had often heard that part-time work opportunities were limited outside big cities, and I couldn't help but feel concerned about financing my studies.
Finding a part-time job as a student in a small city in Germany isn’t as daunting as it may seem. I landed my first part-time job at McDonald’s. It was not only just a job but also a stepping stone to practice my German, understand the work culture in Germany, and support my studies. Here are steps I took to get my first part-time job:
Step 1: Obtain a Health Certificate (Gesundheitszeugnis)
If you plan to work in a restaurant, café, or any job related to food, you will need a Health Certificate (Gesundheitszeugnis). This certificate proves that you understand food safety regulations and hygiene standards. The process is quite simple: you just need to watch instructional videos about food safety standards and there is no exam at the end.
In the past, I had to go to Gesundheisamt to get it offline, but now you can actually do it online from anywhere and you can even choose to watch in English.
The certificate costs around 20 -35 Euros.
Step 2: Search for Part-time Job
For online application, I simply typed McDonald’s + „Career“ (or Karriere in German). Then, I add my postal code (on your address). After that, all restaurants and available positions in your city will be showed.
Alternatively, you can also walk to the restaurants and give your CV (there are always supervisors working in McDonald’s to receive your CV or answer your question). Walk-in applications also work for other local restaurants as sometimes, they don’t advertise the positions online. So, it’s worth walking around and asking if they have any available positions. Just prepare a few copies of your CV and check out places, especially, during summer when they often need extra staff and you don’t have lectures.
If you don’t get a response or get rejected, don’t get discouraged. I was in the same situation and I kept applied to multiple places or in the next semester.
Notes: As a student, you can work either in a part-time (Teilzeit, up to 20 hours per week) or mini-job (Minijob, up to 10 hours per week) position. Remember, our mail goal is to focus on your study!
Finding my part-time job in Stralsund taught me that opportunities exist everywhere, you just have to proactively look for it and be prepared.
Thu
Step 3: Interviews
I was interviewed by the manager in German, mainly because I handed in my CV in German. I later found out that some other students who worked with me were interviewed in English because they applied with English CVs. (Nevertheless, speaking a bit of German will be beneficial).
Before the interview, I prepared a bit, and that made the process much smoother. The questions were straightforward:
- Could you introduce yourself?
- Why do you want to work here?
- Do you have any experience in the gastronomy industry?
Although the interview was in German, it was not very difficult. By preparing a list of common questions and practice your answer, you will definitely get the job.
After the interview, I got probation for 2 days and got the job eventually.
My recommendation:
Even if your study program in English, I highly recommend learning German to at least an A2 level before coming to Germany. It will not only help you communicate more comfortably with the locals but also increases your chances of finding a part-time job. Plus, it’s much easier to improve your language skills through daily interactions rather than starting from scratch.
When I first started working, I only spoke a little German (honestly, I could barely understand anything). But because I knew the basics, I was still able to work in roles that involved speaking with customers. That gave me a great opportunity to pick up more vocabulary and get used to different accents. Thus, my language skill was naturally improved on the job.
Finding my part-time job in Stralsund taught me that opportunities exist everywhere, you just have to proactively look for it and be prepared. There are actually plenty of other part-time job options besides working in restaurants or cafes. If you are really good at a certain subject, you might be able to work as a tutor at your university or in a company if you have a decent level of German.
It’s not always easy, but it is absolutely possible!
Great article and sharing, Thu. Can't wait to hear more about your experience.