Getting a job before you arrive is the easiest way to smooth the rocky transition to a foreign country. Employers may provide or pay for accommodation in your first few weeks, further easing the change, and colleagues provide instant friends for lonely expats. Gaining a job without an in-person interview is not uncommon and human resources departments in larger companies are familiar with and equipped to interview candidates living elsewhere. The best resources are the websites listed below, as well as any friends or relatives that might have experience in Berlin. Also check in with www.ex-berliner.com, the website of the local expat magazine, as well as www.expatica.com and www.toytowngermany.com.

Because you’re applying from abroad, your qualifications are even more vital and submitting a sub-par application is a waste of everyone’s time because email applications are easier to toss. Take the time to provide all the documentation you can and outline the reasons you would be perfect for the job – and worth the hassle of hiring a foreigner.