Overcoming borders: Finding skilled labour from abroad

Recruiting skilled workers from abroad: successful international talent search – this is how it works!

In today’s globalized labor market, it is essential for companies to recruit skilled workers from abroad in order to cover their need for qualified employees. But how do you find the right applicants and what steps are necessary to bring them to Germany? In this blog you will find all the information you need to successfully find and hire skilled workers from abroad. From the recognition of foreign qualifications to applying for a visa, we support you at every step and provide you with valuable contacts and resources.

Why recruit skilled workers from abroad?

Are you looking for qualified skilled workers for your company? Then you should also look beyond the borders of Germany. Recruiting skilled workers from abroad can be an effective solution to cover your needs and bring new impulses into your company. Because international talents not only bring fresh ideas and new perspectives, but can also help to ease the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. But how do you find suitable foreign skilled workers and what steps must you take into account during recruitment?

An important challenge when recruiting skilled workers from abroad is the recognition of qualifications. Many applicants from abroad have a different educational and professional background compared to German skilled workers. Therefore, it is important to obtain information about recognition in the respective country and to establish contact with the appropriate authorities. As an employer you also play an important role here: support your potential employees in the recognition of their degrees and provide them with all necessary information.

Another step in recruiting foreign skilled workers is the procurement of a work visa. Depending on the applicant’s country of origin, different regulations apply for entry and employment in Germany. Therefore, inform yourself precisely about the legal framework and support your future employees in submitting all required documents and going through the visa application process.

The recruitment process abroad also requires a targeted approach to potential applicants. Use various channels to draw attention to yourself as an attractive employer. This can be done, for example, via online job boards or international career fairs. Make sure that your job postings are also available in English in order to address as many skilled workers as possible.

What is the importance of international talents for companies?

Imagine how your company could benefit from highly qualified skilled workers from abroad. These international talents don't only bring new perspectives and fresh ideas, but can also help to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. The importance of recruiting skilled workers from abroad should therefore not be underestimated. International skilled workers can make a valuable contribution to developing your company further.

Thanks to their diverse experiences and knowledge they can develop innovative solutions and set new impulses. In addition, they are often highly motivated and willing to take on new challenges. Working with foreign colleagues can also promote intercultural understanding within the company and improve cooperation.

What are the challenges in recruiting skilled workers from abroad?

Recruiting skilled workers from abroad brings many advantages, but there are also some challenges to overcome. These include:

The recognition of qualifications of foreign applicants. Often there are different standards and requirements in various countries, which makes the assessment of degrees and experiences difficult. Employers must therefore carefully check whether the foreign skilled workers have the required competencies and how these can be recognized in the German context.
Procurement of relevant information about potential candidates from abroad. Contacting suitable candidates can be a major challenge, as sometimes language barriers or different cultural practices can complicate the exchange.
Applying for a visa for foreign skilled workers is an important step in the recruitment process. The legal framework for the employment of foreigners must be fulfilled, which means additional administrative effort. Companies should inform themselves early about the relevant visa regulations and ensure that all necessary documents are available.

Despite these challenges, however, it is worthwhile to recruit skilled workers from abroad. They bring new perspectives and fresh momentum into companies and contribute to the diversity of the workforce. By attracting international talents, a contribution to alleviating the shortage of skilled workers can be made and it enables companies to remain competitive on the global market.

What are the advantages and disadvantages when you recruit skilled workers from abroad?

There are many advantages and disadvantages in recruiting skilled workers from abroad. On the positive side is the opportunity to find highly qualified employees who may be difficult to find in Germany. Companies can access a broader pool of applicants and thus potentially secure the best talents for their open positions. In addition, international skilled workers can bring new perspectives and innovative ideas into the company. They often also bring valuable experiences from their home countries, which can be beneficial for company success.

On the other hand, there are also challenges and concerns in recruiting foreign skilled workers. An important hurdle is often the recognition of qualifications acquired abroad in Germany. This step can be lengthy and complex, as various institutions are involved and different criteria may apply. Employers must therefore be prepared to support this process and assist their employees in the recognition of their degrees.

Another aspect is the integration of foreign skilled workers into the company and the German working environment. Language barriers may initially be a communication obstacle, but cultural differences may also become noticeable. It is important that companies provide appropriate support to overcome these challenges and ensure successful integration.

In addition, employers must also meet the legal requirements in order to employ foreign skilled workers. This usually includes applying for a suitable visa and complying with the relevant regulations. It is important to be informed about the current provisions and to maintain contact with the responsible authorities in order to ensure a smooth process.

How can you bring employees from abroad?

There are various ways to hire and bring foreign employees to Germany. Here are some points:

Direct recruitment of skilled workers from abroad: Companies can advertise job offers internationally and receive applications from qualified candidates. After a successful selection process these employees can then be employed in Germany.
Posting of employees from abroad: In a posting an employee is temporarily sent by his employer to another country to work there for a certain time. Usually there is a posting contract between the employee and the sending company which regulates the conditions of the posting. During the posting the employee may continue to be subject to the labor law of his home country, especially regarding working conditions, social insurance and taxes, depending on the applicable bilateral agreements between the countries.
Employee leasing : In employee leasing (also called temporary work) an employee is employed by a personnel service provider and lent to a third-party company (the client company) to work there for a certain period of time. The employee does not have a direct employment contract with the client company but with the personnel service provider. The client company pays a fee to the personnel service provider for the provision of the employee. The legal and labor law relationships are regulated by the Employee Leasing Act (AÜG) or similar laws in different countries.

In summary, in the case of a posting the employee is sent temporarily to another country, while in the case of employee leasing the employee is assigned by a personnel service provider to a client company to work there.

Do you want to employ workers from abroad? Contact us! We at Zeitarbeit International connect German companies with companies in Eastern Europe. Do you have staffing problems, a large order is pending, but too few employees are available? Then use our personnel services, because we work with many corresponding temporary employment agencies in Eastern Europe and can make you a suitable offer.

Our personnel services

As a personnel service provider for industry & production we are your competent contact for the provision of qualified employees in industry, factories, plants etc. We provide you with skilled workers from abroad, employees who can be optimally adapted to your requirements. Through our many years of experience in personnel services we are familiar with all aspects of the industry and can therefore advise you optimally.