Führungskräfte: Hochqualifiziert, erfolgreich, arbeitssuchend – Vier Betroffene berichten

In Germany, the belief used to be that those who wanted to work – diligent, motivated, and skilled – would find opportunities. However, the job market has changed. During the current economic downturn, many companies are not only hiring fewer people, but also cutting jobs. According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), approximately 15,000 positions are lost in the industry every month.

This leaves a growing number of jobseekers facing fewer open positions. A new trend is emerging: skilled professionals, managers, and executives are increasingly facing unemployment. Within a year, the number of employed individuals reporting unemployment has risen by 14 percent across all sectors, as indicated by figures from the Federal Statistical Office. Additionally, the percentage of academics remaining unemployed for over a year has also increased.

The Handelsblatt launched an advertisement on the LinkedIn job platform, onto which more than 100 affected individuals responded. They are highly skilled, often leading teams, with some holding C-level positions. Most of them were let go or offered early termination contracts. Some even resigned from their employers, believing they would quickly find new employment.

Most of these professionals fall within the age range of 50 to 60 years old. Four of them share their experiences of prolonged job searches and the challenges that unemployment presents.