Your guide to working for a foreign company in Germany｜Investigation of German companies, including annual income and company culture

Foreign companies of German origin

First, let’s look at the characteristics of German companies, including corporate culture and customs.

Characteristics of German Companies

German-owned companies have the following main characteristics

The common characteristics of foreign-affiliated companies.

• Emphasis on work-life balance
• Clear distinction between work and private life
• Clear scope of each person’s work

[Features similar to Japan.

• Serious craftsmanship

German Culture

• Strong worker protection stance

As is typical of so-called “foreign-affiliated companies,” German companies emphasize work-life balance and make a clear distinction between work and private life. In addition, the scope of each individual’s work is clearly defined, and work is conducted according to values that are far removed from those of Japanese companies, such as not performing work that exceeds the scope of one’s responsibilities (i.e., the scope of one’s contract).

On the other hand, I feel that Japanese companies have something in common with German companies in terms of the seriousness of their craftsmanship. Both Japan and Germany have long had manufacturing as a major industry, and both tend to be craftsmen who seek high quality and do not do sloppy work.

It is also said that Germans and Japanese share a similar spirit of concession and a similar way of coming to terms with others. Many people who have worked with German companies have the impression that they are easy to work with and deal with.

Another unique characteristic of Germany is its strong tendency to protect workers. In Germany, long working hours are prohibited, and 100% paid vacations and long vacations are recognized as a natural right. This culture of respect for employees is very different from that of Japanese companies.

Annual income rates for German companies

In general, the average annual salary at foreign-affiliated companies is said to be about 8 million yen, which is about twice the average annual salary of 4.33 million yen in Japan. German-affiliated foreign companies are no exception, and annual incomes of 8 to 12 million yen in their 30s are not uncommon.

Advantages of working for a German company

Next, here are three advantages of working for a German company.

Advantage 1] Many holidays

In Germany, many companies allow employees to take up to 30 days of paid vacation per year, and it is a natural right to use 100% of this paid vacation time or to take a two-week long vacation. Because of this culture in their home country, they are able to take their paid vacations and long vacations without feeling any sense of shame.

*Some companies have different treatment and working conditions between the German headquarters and the Japanese office. Make sure to check each company’s working conditions before applying.

Advantage 2] Good workplace openness

German companies have an open environment in the workplace. Regardless of age or position, it is easy to express one’s opinions, and people are willing to listen even to opinions that are contrary to their own, which helps to build good communication in the workplace.

Keep in mind, however, that you are expected to be clear in your statements. It is important to refrain from making ambiguous statements and to assert your opinions clearly.

Advantage 3] Skill development in a specialized field is expected.

German companies are contract-based and have a clear division of roles, so the scope of each person’s work is well defined. This allows them to concentrate only on their own tasks and specialties, and to enhance their expertise. This is an advantageous environment for those who aim to improve their skills in a certain specialized field.

Disadvantages of working for a German company

Decision-making authority at global headquarters

German companies in Japan tend to concentrate their authority in their home country of Germany. Therefore, in many cases, the Japanese branch has no decision-making authority and must ask the management in the home country to do whatever it wants to do.

Keep in mind that you may suffer from being caught between your home country and your clients.

What to expect when working for a German company

There are many differences between German and Japanese companies in terms of ideas and customs. Here are some points to keep in mind when working for a German company.

resultism

German companies, like other foreign companies, tend to be strongly results-oriented. In addition to work performance, efficiency in work, such as “how efficiently you perform your work,” is also demanded. Long working hours, once considered a virtue in Japanese companies, are not highly valued.

language ability

Many German companies place English or German language skills among their hiring criteria. Basically, business level English is a must, and speaking German is more advantageous.
No matter how many of the customers of the Japan office are Japanese companies, communication with the German headquarters and overseas business partners is based on English and German.
Without language skills, you will not be able to find a job at a German company.

Specialized Skills and Experience

Foreign-affiliated companies, including German companies, place more emphasis on experience and skills than on age and gender. Especially in mid-career recruiting, skills and experience in specialized fields are important, so specialists (professionals) are more advantageous in job searches than multidisciplinary personnel who are not limited to any field.

Even for new graduates, it is very difficult to find a job in a German company without any experience, as it is common for students to gain work experience through internships and other means to prepare for employment.

List of German Companies

German-affiliated automotive company [finished vehicle manufacturer].

The automotive industry, one of Germany’s major industries, is home to a number of companies that have gained market share on a global scale.
VOLKSWAGEN AG Wolfsburg
○ AUDI AG Ingolstadt
○ Porsche AG Stuttgart
○ MAN Truck & Bus SE Munich
● Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Group AG
● Daimler Truck AG Stuttgart
● BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG Munich)
● Opel Rüsselsheim am Main

German automotive company [parts manufacturer].

Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Gerlingen
● Continental AG Hannover
● ZF Friedrichshafen AG Friedrichshafen
Schaeffler AG Herzogenaurach
● Heller GmbH & Co. KGaA Lippstadt
● Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co.KG Coburg
● BorgWarner Europe GmbH Ketsch
● Magna PT B.V. & Co. KG Untergruppenbach
● MAHLE GmbH Stuttgart
● Webasto SE Gauting
● Rheinmetall Automotive AG Neckarsulm

German company with Japan office [Other industries].

● adidas (fashion and sports) ● Puma (fashion and sports)
● DHL (distribution)
● SAP (information and communication)
● Siemens (information and communication)
● Bayer AG (pharmaceutical industry)
● Deutsche Bank (finance and insurance industry)

輸入車インポーターで働くには？外車メーカーで働くための基礎知識

How to get a job in a German company

Although there are many job openings in Japan for German companies, most of them are undisclosed as far as recruitment is concerned, so it is not possible to find sufficient information only through open recruitment media such as job sites.

In order to efficiently change jobs in German companies, we recommend that you register with a recruitment agency and ask them to introduce you to open positions.

Recruitment agency for German companies

The main recruitment agencies that handle jobs for German companies are as follows

• Japan Automobile Accident Compensation Corporation
• Recruit Agent
• BizReach

And Turnpoint Consulting, the company that manages this site, is one of the agents that handles German company jobs.
Turnpoint ConsultingTurnpoint Consulting specializes in the mobility industry and is close to the hiring managers of companies. Our success rate is higher than the industry average, and our unparalleled knowledge of the automotive and mobility industries allows us to provide the best possible support to our candidates. We will lead you to your ideal career change.

Finally.

German-owned companies have a good working environment for their workers, with an emphasis on work-life balance and protection for workers.

However, most jobs in German companies are undisclosed. Therefore, it is efficient to register with a recruitment agency that is strong in foreign companies and then conduct a job search.

Work with a trusted recruitment agent to make your job search a success.