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Graduation - now what?
Graduates face many questions.
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Photo: William Perugini / DEEPOL / plainpicture
Congratulations on completing your studies – and welcome to the German bureaucratic jungle!
Smiling proudly into the camera with their thesis, many graduates are now starting their first job.
It doesn't always work immediately.
On average, it takes three to four months for German master’s graduates to start their first full-time job.
There are differences between the subjects: According to a DZHW graduate survey, computer science, architecture and civil engineering are the fastest.
On the other hand, students of social and economic sciences, humanities, psychology or education wait about six months.
Without the comfort of student status, many young people are confronted with new costs during this time: discounts on insurance and taxes are no longer available, the place in student halls of residence is running out and student loans are only paid up to the month in which the certificate is issued.
This raises questions: Am I unemployed now?
Can or do I have to register with the Employment Agency?
And what about insurance?
We give answers.
What to do if you can't find a job straight away after graduating?
"In general, unemployment among academics, i.e. people with a bachelor's degree or higher, is low," says Christian Ludwig, spokesman for the Federal Employment Agency.
The unemployment rate was 2.4 percent in 2021.
"Up to a level of about three percent, one speaks of full employment." The long-term chances are therefore good.
Unemployment would generally remain a transitional phase.
Even if you don't worry, you should still start thinking about what will happen after you graduate.
An early inquiry to the responsible employment agency or a counseling center at the university can help to find a job more quickly.
Are you obliged to register as unemployed after graduation?
The simple answer is: no.
"It's basically voluntary to register as unemployed," explains Ludwig.
There is no obligation to register as unemployed after graduation.
However, reporting to the office can be helpful.
Because at the latest when de-registration is due, it is worth getting advice from the Federal Employment Agency.
Uncertainties when looking for a job can be cleared up and financial aid can be applied for.
Not everyone can access savings after graduation.
»The agencies and job centers provide advice and support when looking for work.
You can also cover application costs or travel costs to the interview,« says Ludwig.
How do I register as unemployed after graduation?
Expand areaUnemployment
Anyone who meets the following requirements can register as unemployed:
There is »temporary unemployment«.
This means that there is no employment with more than 15 hours per week.
You are looking for a job, or to be more precise »an employment subject to social security contributions that includes more than 15 hours per week.«
And you are trying to end unemployment, so you are actively looking for a job.
Open the »Unemployed« or »Job-seeking« area
»job seeker«
:
As a job seeker, I register with the employment agency while I'm still studying or working - ideally no later than three months before the end of my job.
"Unemployed":
I register as »unemployed« if I have already exmatriculated or my employment has ended.
If you want to register as unemployed after graduation or as a job seeker, you can do so in person or online at the Employment Agency.
Incidentally, »unemployed« or »looking for work« does not necessarily mean applying for unemployment benefits.
First of all, it is about the status itself.
The employment agency also forwards it to the pension insurance, for example.
Years later, the waiting time until retirement can be shortened.
It is also a safeguard: if you are not registered as unemployed and are seriously ill, you may not be entitled to unemployment or sickness benefits.
When is the right time to register as unemployed?
It doesn't matter whether you're studying or have a regular job: According to Ludwig, three months before you are likely to become unemployed is the right time to register as a "job seeker".
"An early registration as unemployed increases the chances of finding a job soon after graduation." But that is a guideline, not a rule, because this point in time is often not so precisely foreseeable, especially during studies.
You should register in person no later than on the first day of unemployment.
Will I get unemployment benefit after my studies?
In the vast majority of cases, there is no entitlement to regular unemployment benefit, often referred to as unemployment benefit I, immediately after graduation.
For this, graduates would have to have worked for at least one year in the 30 months before their graduation - not in marginal employment, but in a job that is subject to social security contributions.
Immediately after graduation you can instead apply for unemployment benefit II, i.e. Hartz IV.
For this purpose, the job center of the respective municipality provides the form »Main application for unemployment benefit II«.
You can fill out the form online or print it out and send it off.
In order to be entitled to Hartz IV, applicants must prove that they are in need of help.
Those in need of help are those who cannot secure their livelihood with income and assets.
The prerequisite is that the required help is not provided by relatives.
This means that if the parents are still paying maintenance, the unemployment benefit will not be paid in full or in part, even though all other conditions may have been met.
The exact calculation of unemployment benefit II is complicated.
Housing and heating costs, pregnancy, old age or diets related to illness – all of these can play a role.
In addition, applicants must disclose their assets.
Anyone who has cash, goods or securities that exceed the tax-free allowance is not entitled to Hartz IV. The basic tax-free allowance increases with each year of life, at 25 it is around 3,750 euros.
In addition, there are additional allowances for old-age provision or necessary purchases.
If you live in a community of need, for example with a partner or with your parents, their wealth is also taken into account.
In general, what matters is what is "appropriate," according to the law.
Due to a special pandemic regulation, private savings do not have to be used up until March 31, 2022 in order to apply for ALG II, and the housing and heating costs are usually covered in full.
Do unemployed people have to take every job?
In order to receive unemployment benefit II, according to the law, I must »take advantage of all opportunities for professional integration«.
To do this, I have to fulfill specified “own efforts”.
This can be written applications, the evaluation of job advertisements or the use of the job exchange.
Basically, this also means that I have to accept every “reasonable” job that the job center suggests to me.
§ 10 SGB 2 regulates what is "reasonable". Here, however, Ludwig refers to individual advice.
You look for the best solution together.
The aim is to find something suitable – only then will everyone involved benefit from it.
Anyone who is registered as unemployed must also be "available" on weekdays, i.e. reachable by telephone or post at the registered address.
Moves or trips must be reported to the employment agency.
Will I lose health insurance after graduation?
Graduates only remain in family insurance or compulsory student insurance until they are de-registered.
After that, you need your own regular insurance.
Anyone who receives Hartz IV and is not employed subject to social insurance contributions will be covered by the job center for the insurance costs.
Can I do internships or work while I'm unemployed?
»Internships and mini-jobs are good and important.
They help with the search for the right job and also mean income,” says Ludwig.
But: "Of course, that has to be stated." Internships should be coordinated with the employment agency beforehand.
How much I can earn with such a job is about as complicated as calculating the unemployment benefit itself. In general, however, there is an allowance of 100 euros per month and a specified number of hours.
However, both depend on various factors and are therefore best discussed in individual cases with the exchange office in charge.
