Führungskräfte: Hochqualifiziert, erfolgreich, arbeitssuchend – Vier Betroffene berichten

In Germany, it was once believed that those who worked hard, were motivated, and highly qualified would find employment. However, the job market has changed. With the economic slowdown, many companies are not only hiring fewer people, but also cutting positions. According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), around 15,000 jobs are lost each month in the industry alone.

This leaves a growing number of job seekers with fewer open positions. Interestingly, it now also affects highly qualified academics, managers, and executives. In one year, the number of unemployed executives across industries rose by 14 percent, as shown by figures from the Federal Statistical Office. Additionally, the percentage of academics unemployed for over a year has increased.

The Handelsblatt launched an appeal on the LinkedIn job platform, to which over 100 affected individuals signed up. They are highly qualified, led teams, and some held C-Level positions. Most were let go or offered a redundancy package, while a few resigned voluntarily in the hope of finding new work quickly. Most were aged between 50 and 60.

Four of them share their experiences with prolonged unemployment and the challenges it presents. The obvious question arises: Now what?

Lukas Meier's résumé is textbook-like. Thirty years ago, he joined a large corporation, and five years later, he took on his first leadership role. His subsequent positions included Vice President, Financial Vice President for a medium-sized company, and head of corporate finance for a subsidiary of a DAX company. His latest role was as Finance Director and Board Member at a large retail company with approximately 500 employees.

His executive contract ended at the end of 2024 and was not renewed, even on his own request. "I thought I'd try something else," Meier says. However, finding a new job is challenging and extremely time-consuming. "It's amazed me how much my résumé has changed," he notes. Meier is fortunate financially, as he is well-supported. He doesn't need to work immediately, but he wonders what he will do with his time by the age of 50.

"Reading the newspaper and sitting at home? That's it?" His entire life has been focused on success and achievement. Nils Schmidt, a lawyer who serves as the head of the Association for Professional and Executive Staff (DFK), has seen many such cases recently. Since the beginning of last year, more than 2000 people have signed up for his advice after losing their jobs.

Schmidt also observes that the mood has changed: from grief to anger to resignation. He recently heard from an employee who has been screaming at his former employer for an hour, expressing his anger. "Sometimes it has to come out," Schmidt says. As discussions become increasingly emotional, the association has trained its consultants to respond appropriately.

However, they are lawyers, not psychologists, and advise those they counsel to seek additional psychological support.