Führungskräfte: Hochqualifiziert, erfolgreich, arbeitssuchend – Vier Betroffene berichten

In Germany, it was once widely believed that those who worked hard, were motivated, and were highly qualified would find employment. However, the current economic downturn has changed this. The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) reports that approximately 15,000 jobs are lost every month in the industry alone. This is causing an increasing number of job seekers to compete for fewer open positions.

Notably, recent statistics show a surge in the number of highly qualified academics, leaders, and managers who have become unemployed. Within a year, the number of unemployed managers across industries has risen by 14%.

According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, the percentage of academics unemployed for over a year has also increased. A LinkedIn call on the job platform drew more than 100 affected individuals, including high-qualified professionals who once led teams and held C-level positions. Many were let go or offered layoff contracts, while some resigned on their own, believing they could quickly find new opportunities. The majority are between 50 and 60 years old.

Four of them share their experiences of long job searches and the challenges they face. Lukas Meier*, for instance, had an impressive career before retiring from a large retail company in late 2024 without a renewal of his contract. He is financially secure, but wonders what he will do with his time when he turns 50. "Will I just sit at home and read the newspaper?" he wonders.

Nils Schmidt, a lawyer and head of the Association for Professional and Managerial Staff (DFK), has noticed a rise in the number of people seeking advice since the beginning of the year. Around 2000 professionals lost their jobs last year, and Schmidt expects this number to grow this year as well. He observes not only more terminations but also a shift in mood, ranging from grief and anger to resignation.

One manager recently threw a fit on the phone, expressing his anger towards his former employer. Schmidt acknowledges that such emotional outbursts are now more common and that his association has trained its consultants to handle these situations.

Most job seekers, according to Schmidt, need perseverance and flexibility. The search process used to be considered long if it lasted six months, but nowadays, it often takes much longer. The good news is that most find new jobs, even if they often end up in a different position or company than initially desired. However, Lukas Meier found that his active job search yielded little success.

He had applied for positions as an interim manager in the past, yet most roles were not advertised, and hundreds applied for each opening.

Meier is willing to lower his salary expectations, but he believes that working for half of his previous income makes companies question his commitment. "They don't want to hire someone who seems unreliable," he explains. Despite the financial challenges, Meier is unsure what to do with his time when he turns 50. "Will I just sit at home and read the newspaper?"