Unmasking the Pay Mystery: Equip Yourself and Claim Your Worth in Germany

Why Germans Avoid Talking About Money

If you’re used to open conversations about salary, Germany might feel a bit like you’ve entered a secret society. In most German companies, discussing your wage openly—even with close friends or your partner—is often frowned upon or directly forbidden by your employment contract. This culture of silence can be confusing and even frustrating, especially when you want to make a well-informed decision during your job search.

Despite the recent push for more salary transparency with new legislation, the reality in German offices is still: money matters stay behind closed doors. The legal right to discuss salary is rarely mentioned, and even less often encouraged. This can make it tough for international experts to gauge what’s fair—especially when employers ask you to state your desired salary during the interview process.

The Risk of Selling Yourself Short

Without clear benchmarks, many highly qualified overseas candidates risk aiming too low. If you name a salary expectation that’s under market value, German employers will rarely correct you. They may even see your number as a sign of insecurity or lack of knowledge about the local market.

Practical Resources to Avoid the Trap

Equip yourself before interviews. There are reliable resources in English that can help you research realistic salary ranges:

• • Paylab.com and Glassdoor.de: Both offer salary overviews and real employee reviews.
  • LinkedIn Salary: Use it to research salaries for your profession in Germany.
  • Expat forums and communities: Sites like Toytown Germany or Reddit’s r/germany host real stories from people in your shoes.
  • Company career pages: Some international firms share salary bands in English directly on their sites.

Profiting from Local Insight

Benefit from the practical knowledge of Bernd Wenske, who truly understands your situation and prepares you for interviews to secure the best possible deal.

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„When salary is a secret, the best you can do is come prepared with trusted insights and confidence.“ Bernd Wenske

TL;DR

In Germany, salary talk is often kept secret—even among colleagues and close friends—so international professionals can feel unsure about what’s fair in job interviews. The blog explains why this is, how to avoid selling yourself short, and shares useful English-language resources for salary research. It also gives five friendly, ready-to-use answers for when you’re asked about your desired salary, plus pro tips to help you negotiate with confidence in interviews.