Working as a Student in Germany: My Journey from Burger King to Mercedes-Benz

One of the most common questions I receive from students planning to come to Germany is: "Can I find a part-time job and support myself?"

The short answer is yes, but the journey can look very different for everyone.

Looking for My First Job

Before coming to Germany, I had never worked a labor-intensive job. So when I arrived in Stuttgart, finding work was completely new territory for me.

Like many students, I started by looking for jobs around Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof. Some of my roommates were already working there, so I assumed it would be a good place to start. I went from stall to stall asking if they had any vacancies.

To my surprise, almost every store directed me to the same contact person or website. I sent messages multiple times and followed up repeatedly, but never received any positive response.

Looking back, timing may have played a role. I started searching relatively late, and many of the available positions had already been filled by students who arrived earlier.

I also reached out to several fast-food chains, including Burger King, McDonald's, and Five Guys. Unfortunately, none of them were hiring at that time.

Applying Online and My First Trial Day

After weeks of searching in person, I shifted my focus to online applications.

One of my friends eventually connected me with someone who was hiring newspaper and post distributors. I was invited for what Germans call a "trial day" (Probearbeit).

This was one of the cultural differences that surprised me. Before being hired, companies sometimes ask candidates to spend a day working alongside an employee so they can evaluate whether the job is a good fit.

For my trial day, I accompanied an employee and helped deliver mail to around 50 houses. I knew beforehand that I would not be paid for that day.

The area was full of steep slopes, and by the end of the day I was completely exhausted. Despite putting in the effort, I waited nearly a month only to hear that the vacancy was no longer available.

It was disappointing, but by that point I had already learned an important lesson: job searching in Germany often requires patience.

My First Student Job: Burger King

A few weeks later, I finally received a call from one of the Burger King franchises where I had applied online.

After another trial day, I was hired.

I worked there for roughly three months, usually around 20 hours per week spread across three days. The work was physically demanding, but it gave me my first real experience working in Germany.

After taxes, I earned approximately €950 per month, which covered a significant part of my living expenses.

More importantly, it taught me how workplaces operate in Germany and helped me become more comfortable communicating with customers and colleagues.

Chasing a Werkstudent Position

Even while working at Burger King, I continued applying for Werkstudent positions related to my field.

I wasn't only looking for part-time work to pay the bills; I also wanted experience that would help my long-term career.

Like many international students, I faced plenty of rejections.

I was initially contacted by Mercedes-Benz for a position that sounded promising. Unfortunately, it turned out to be an internship reserved for students whose degree program required a mandatory internship.

I also interviewed with a startup for an AI-related role. They asked me to select an interview slot. Almost every slot was already booked except for one the next day and another nine days later.

I chose the later slot because I wanted more time to prepare.

A few days later, I received an email saying the position had already been filled. I was rejected without even getting the opportunity to interview.

Experiences like these can be frustrating, but they are also a normal part of the process.

The Opportunity That Changed Everything

About six months after arriving in Germany, I returned to India for a two-month vacation.

While I was there, I received another interview invitation from Mercedes-Benz.

This time, the role was a Werkstudent position.

The interview process consisted of only two rounds. Fortunately, I was able to answer almost all of the technical and behavioral questions confidently.

A few days later, I received the news I had been hoping for: I got the job.

Today, I earn approximately €1,350 per month after taxes, which is more than enough to comfortably cover my living expenses as a student in Stuttgart.

Everyone's Journey Is Different

One thing I have learned from talking to other international students is that there is no single path.

I have met students who secured a Werkstudent position within their first two months in Germany.

I have also met students who never found a Werkstudent job during their studies but still managed to secure excellent full-time positions after graduation.

Comparing your journey with someone else's rarely helps.

The Reality of Finding a Werkstudent Job

It is worth mentioning that finding a Werkstudent position can be challenging, especially if you do not speak German.

While there are many opportunities available, a large percentage of job postings require at least some level of German proficiency. This can significantly reduce the number of positions available to international students.

That said, it is far from impossible.

Persistence matters more than most people realize. Every application, interview, rejection, and trial day teaches you something.

If there is one lesson from my experience, it is this: don't be discouraged by early setbacks. The first opportunity may take months to arrive, but one good opportunity can completely change your student life in Germany.