Two Weeks, Two Job Offers: A Chancenkarte Success Story

Two weeks later, she was offered two employment contracts. Hearing back from companies in Germany in such a short time was not simply luck but the result of tireless effort and proactive planning on Daniela's part. Her story offers practical insights for other Chancenkarte holders navigating the German job market.

Daniela's Journey in Her Own Words

Treating Job Search as a Full-Time Job

Daniela made an important decision for her success: she would treat the job search itself as a full-time job. 

"I decided to look at it as a job itself. Meaning, start from 8:00 a.m. in the morning up to 5:00 p.m. looking for the vacancies, drilling down, adjusting the CV accordingly."

This wasn't casual browsing during coffee breaks. It was dedicated, focused work, searching for openings, tailoring her CV for each position, and applying through multiple job platforms. Within two weeks of this intensive approach, she had multiple interviews and ultimately two job offers to choose from.

She used LinkedIn automation to set up daily job alerts at 7:00 a.m. for positions matching her title and preferred regions. She also subscribed to StepStone and focused on large recruitment agencies. 

Getting Past the ATS: CV Tips That Worked

One of Daniela's most valuable insights relates to something many job seekers overlook: getting past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that companies use to filter applications. "First of all is your CV needs to pass the AI robots. I mean, no one reads 2,000 CVs," she noted.

Her approach included keeping CVs to a maximum of 3 pages, strategically using keywords from job descriptions, and focusing on impact rather than just tasks.

"Focus really on what have you brought to the table in that job, like what are the successes, what did you contribute? You know, focus more on what you will bring to the table for that organization."

👉 Get a head start on building your CV by downloading our free German CV templates. 

Navigating the Visa Status Conversation

One of the biggest concerns for Opportunity Card holders is how employers will react to their visa status. Daniela's experience shows that transparency and clear communication can turn this potential obstacle into a non-issue.

She was upfront from the beginning: "I say that with the Opportunity Card that I could only work 20 hours a week. However, once I have a contract, then I'll be able to change that to 40 hours by change to a residence permit." 

She also highlighted that having this conversation shows the employer that the Chancekarte holder is not a burden on the company and can handle the company's process independently. 

In Daniela's case, the residence permit conversion took just under three months, during which she could already start working the initial 20 hours per week allowed under the Chancenkarte.

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The Language Question: Honesty and Active Learning

Daniela didn't speak German when she arrived, but she didn't let this hold her back. Her strategy was honesty and showing her commitment to learning.

For positions where German was listed as "a plus" rather than mandatory, she was direct: "I'm learning. I'm just beginning, but it's an intensive course. So, meaning that soon I will be able to have a conversation and understand."

Her advice to others: "Don't apply when it's mandatory for you to be fluent in German when you're not." But for roles where language is preferred rather than required, showing active effort can be received positively. "When you're honest, and you say, 'Yes, I don't know yet, but it's something that is being worked on' that is very well received."

Making Decisions with Family in Mind

Daniela initially came to Germany alone, a strategic decision that gave her clarity. Once she received her residence permit in June, she began the family reunification visa process for her son so he could join her in Germany. While it took some time, she found it straightforward: She said, "The whole process wasn't difficult. It was quite straightforward. It took a little bit of time, but that's how it is."

Why the Chancenkarte Worked for Her

The Opportunity Card's structure provided crucial advantages. The Blocked Account requirement meant financial security during the job search.

"I think they like that you come here with a Blocked Account. And you're not dependent, right? You're not in that stress as well in terms of having to find a job to survive because you already have like a basis."

She also highlighted the ability to start working immediately through mini-jobs while searching for professional roles. When asked if she'd recommend the Chancenkarte, Daniela's answer was clear: "Absolutely, I would always recommend. I think it's a great opportunity... It's full of opportunities. You just need to take it seriously when you look for them."

Daniela's hard work and perseverance have led her to find her dream job in Germany, and the same is true for many others who came to Germany with an Opportunity Card visa. We are very thankful to her for sharing her story and inspiring so many others who are looking to move to Germany or find work in Germany while on a Chancenkarte.  

Resources to Support Your Chancekarte Journey

Ready to start your own Opportunity Card journey? Here are some tools to help:

• Take the Opportunity Card quiz - Assess your eligibility in minutes
• Join the Chancenkarte webinar - Attend for free and get your questions answered live.
• Learn about Blocked Accounts - Understand the financial requirements for your Chancekarte

• Employer guide in German - Help hiring managers understand the Chancenkarte and what it means to hire you

• Watch Daniela's complete interview - Learn more about her experience and what worked for her.