Führungskräfte: Hochqualifiziert, erfolgreich, arbeitssuchend – Vier Betroffene berichten

Since Germany's economy entered a downturn, the rule of thumb that diligent, motivated and qualified workers could always find work no longer holds true. Many companies are both reducing their hiring and laying off staff. According to the Federal Institute for Employment Research (IAB), around 15,000 jobs disappear from the manufacturing sector each month.

Consequently, jobseekers are encountering fewer open positions. Notably, this trend is increasingly affecting highly qualified professionals such as academic graduates, managers, and executives. In just one year, the number of unemployed managers across all industries surged by 14%, according to figures from the Federal Bureau of Statistics.

Furthermore, the proportion of academics remaining unemployed for over a year has recently risen as well. The Handelsblatt newspaper launched an appeal on the LinkedIn job platform, where over 100 affected individuals have signed up. They are all well-qualified, many having led teams, and some even held C-level positions. Most were terminated or offered a severance package, while some resigned on their own accord, anticipating a quick opportunity to find a new job.

The majority fell within the age range of 50 to 60. Four of them share their experiences with prolonged unemployment and the challenges it presents.