If you’re an English speaker and looking for hotel jobs in Berlin, here are a few tips to help get your job hunt off the ground. Firstly, it’s important to get your Rote Karte (Red Card) as many hospitality companies won’t hire you without one.
Then, don’t hesitate to visit businesses in person and send speculative applications as this is often how they find new staff!
1. Apply for a Rote Karte (Red Card)
If you want to work in a restaurant, bar or kitchen in Berlin then you need a Rote Karte (Red Card). It’s a safety and sanitation certificate which is essential for any job that involves working with food.
To apply for a Rote Karte you need to make an appointment with one of the Berlin’s local health offices. They are located in Lichtenberg, Mitte and Charlottenburg.
To get a Rote Karte you need to watch a short video on food hygiene and then take a simple test. The cost is 20 euro.
2. Look for English-speaking hospitality jobs
If you’re interested in working in Berlin, there are many ways to find English-speaking hospitality jobs. These include applying for a Rote Karte (Red Card), sending speculative applications, and visiting businesses in person.
Regardless of which way you choose to look for work in Berlin, it’s important to be willing to put in the effort and dedication required to land your ideal job. This requires an attitude of determination and perseverance, which can be difficult in a competitive market like this.
4. Apply for open positions
One of the best ways to find English-speaking jobs in Berlin is by using online job boards. These sites often have a variety of positions, so you can always find something that fits your career needs.
Alternatively, you can also check out LinkedIn, which has a very useful search function that allows you to set up alerts for new jobs in Berlin. Make sure to perform frequent searches so that you never miss out on any opportunities.
5. Send speculative applications
Often, English speakers have more success applying for hospitality jobs than they do in other fields. This is because these positions are usually more in demand than others.
Rather than apply to every job that comes up, take some time over your applications to ensure they are tailored to the role. This means personalising your cover letter and CV for each organisation you contact.
It is also a good idea to include some written references, links to your personal website or portfolios and to request an indication of salary expectations as this will help you negotiate a fair wage.
6. Visit businesses in person
There are a lot of restaurants, bars, kitchens and hotels in Berlin that hire non-German speakers. These businesses are often more receptive to a CV or cover letter dropped off in person rather than an online application.
Tech companies and startups are also a popular place to look for English-speaking positions. Whether you’re a software developer or customer service representative, there are plenty of opportunities in Berlin.
