The Local Germany

'What does it mean to be German nowadays?': Yazidi activist on integration and refugees

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:21:03 +0100

The genocide of Yazidi communities by Islamic State turned journalist and filmmaker Düzen Tekkal into a human rights activist. She wants to empower survivors and call out racism, as well as extremism in Germany.

My German career: 'Learning German should just be the side effect of a really fun activity.'

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 18:12:22 +0100

This Berlin-based programmer and entrepreneur was struggling to learn German. So he built a website to teach himself - and others - while having a few laughs in the process.

Terrified at an Aldi: The woman bringing American-style improv to Frankfurt

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 17:57:03 +0200

Drawing on universal humour with an American-twist, expat Abigail Paul co-founded a theatre that guarantees giggles from its audience and participants.

A Brit's life as a German crime scene cleaner

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 16:15:33 +0100

Rob Joseph was stationed in Germany for years as a soldier in the British army. When he went home, he found himself feeling out of place – so he ended up taking an unlikely turn in his career.

How Germany fell in love with the 'company run'

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 19:11:13 +0200

More and more companies across Germany are taking part in so called "Firmenläufe" - company runs – as a way to bring colleagues together and give everyone a chance to show the boss who's boss.

MP wants 24-hour care for late workers' kids

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 19:49:24 +0200

Berlin politicians are considering plans to keep kindergartens open for 24 hours in Berlin to help parents with unusual work hours.

Jobsharing: Are two heads better than one?

Mon, 18 May 2015 19:21:35 +0200

What do you do when you have had a successful and challenging career but events in your private life mean that you can no longer commit to a full-time job? Job sharing provides one interesting option.

Bringing positivity to German workplaces

Mon, 09 Mar 2015 19:32:25 +0100

Randall Birnberg is a positive psychology coach who's trying to bring the science of happiness to German workplaces. In an interview for JobTalk, he explains how he came across his calling – and how Germans have responded.

My path from India to German citizenship

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 12:13:00 +0100

In this week's JobTalk, Tanya Schober, who is originally from India, talks us through her journey to German citizenship.

'Learning German gets you closer to people'

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:00:00 +0100

In this week's My German Career, Anupama Gopalakrishna, who is originally from Bangalore in India, tells The Local about her new life in Frankfurt.

'The predictability here can be comforting'

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 10:00:00 +0100

In this week's My German Career, US pastor Jeff Ingram, 54, talks about life in the church and the advantages as well as the downside of Germany's desire for order.

21 phrases to help you get on in a German office

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:31:00 +0100

Working in a German office can be a tricky business, especially if you haven't quite mastered the language. The Local is here to help with some useful phrases to impress your colleagues.

'Rules are the best and worst part of life here'

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:38:00 +0100

In this week's My German Career, Yvonne Gruendler, 32, describes her job as a marketing officer after finding her way to Berlin via Asia and the UK.

'Put in the effort to know what your firm wants'

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 12:35:00 +0100

In this week's My German Career, Tommi Raivisto, the vice president of a Nokia business, describes the advantages of being with one company for years and what he likes about working in Berlin.

'Landing a start-up job is about contacts'

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:27:00 +0100

In this week's My German Career, founder of Berlin's Startupbootcamp Alex Farcet explains why he moved to the German capital from Denmark and how to succeed in the city's start-up scene.

'It's easier to be sacked here than you think'

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 12:38:00 +0100

In this week's Job Talk, The Local finds out how hard it is to get sacked in Germany and looks at just how you can, and cannot, be dismissed from your job.

'The work-life balance is fantastic'

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 11:01:00 +0200

In this week's My German Career Graham Polley from Ireland looks back on his six years in Frankfurt and explains how he managed to land a job without a word of German.

'Don't let your lack of language skills stop you'

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:49:00 +0200

In this week’s My German Career William Medina from America describes how he landed an internship at the German parliament, the Bundestag, despite fearing his level of German was too low.

'Starting my own firm was my best decision'

Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:19:00 +0200

In this week's My German Career Swede Erik Hansson tells The Local how starting his own translation business put him on the path to a success and how the German tax system holds businesses back.

'Berlin is a great place for start-ups - get in early'

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 10:47:00 +0200

In this week's German career The Local talks to product manager Emma Heap about life in a Berlin start-up.