Führungskräfte: Hochqualifiziert, erfolgreich, arbeitssuchend – Vier Betroffene berichten

Berlin – The German job market has changed, and it's no longer true that only hardworking, motivated, and qualified individuals find work. In the current economic downturn, many companies are not only hiring less but also laying off employees. The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) reports that around 15,000 jobs are lost in the industry alone each month.

This has resulted in a growing number of jobseekers facing fewer available positions. It's also increasingly affecting highly qualified professionals, such as managers and executives. In just one year, the number of unemployed managers across all sectors has jumped by 14 percent, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office.

The share of academics unemployed for over a year has also increased recently. A job posting on LinkedIn, seen by over 100 professionals, attracted the attention of many highly qualified individuals who had led teams and some who held C-level positions. Most of these individuals were let go or offered a contract termination. Some even quit their jobs themselves, believing they would quickly find new opportunities.

Most of these jobseekers are between 50 and 60 years old. Four of them share their experiences of long-term unemployment and the challenges it presents.