Everything about job centers in the DACH region (RAV, AMS & Federal Employment Agency)

Do you have an appointment at a job center soon and want to explore? Then this post is just right for you. But before you contact a job center, look for a suitable position RemoteScout . Maybe you'll find something that suits you.

What is a job center?

In the DACH region, job centers often have different names. In Switzerland they talk about the RAV, what Regional employment center means. It exists in Germany Federal Employment Agency and Austria owns that Employment Service (AMS) .

Job center in Switzerland

Job seekers and employers looking for staff receive competent advice from the RAV. The RAV aims to quickly place unemployed job seekers into permanent employment in the primary labor market and helps fill registered vacancies.

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The Regional Employment Center (RAV) has extensive know-how in the area of ​​the labor market. It serves as an important interface between employers and job seekers. They help job seekers determine their professional profile and work together to develop a tailor-made application strategy. If necessary, they support job seekers in improving their professional qualifications or make it easier for them to integrate into the labor market through targeted measures. We also advise employers on publishing job offers and establish contact with potential temporary or permanent employees. Thanks to access to thousands of job profiles throughout Switzerland, the RAV offers both parties a great opportunity to find what they are looking for.

Job center in Germany

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The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is a German federal agency within the scope of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and is based in Nuremberg. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is a German federal agency within the scope of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and is based in Nuremberg.

Germans commonly refer to their state employment service as an employment office, but the official name is the Federal Employment Agency. The employment center is a public service that brings together employers and employees and offers help in your career through administrative and advisory services. The employment exchange's job exchange is an excellent opportunity to find a job and training position in Germany. Once you have a job, the employment center can also help you in other ways.

Language issues: Although the job board website is available in English and a few other languages, you will need to be able to speak German to enter most of the requested information. For example, all job categories are listed in German! ("Please note that the entries in the text fields must be in German.") Below you will find out how you can get help working with the employment office.

NOTE: You must first register before you can use the employment center services. There are also private employment agencies in Germany, but that is a topic for another time. Here we concentrate on the Federal Employment Agency, the public employment agency.

Foreigners mainly have to deal with the employment office in the following three situations:

• At the very beginning when you are looking for a job for the first time | You register at the employment office to find a job and get advice about possible positions in Germany.
• If you are at risk of being laid off in the next three months | You must go to the employment office before you become unemployed. Why, read below.
• If you become involuntarily unemployed after having worked subject to compulsory insurance for at least 12 months in the last two years | The employment center pays unemployment benefit in the amount of 60-67% of the previous average monthly net income and supports you in finding a new job, including retraining.

Let's go through the most important steps for each situation that are likely to apply to foreigners in Germany:

1. You are new in Germany and want to find a job. | You must register as a "job seeker" - either in person at a local office or online on the job exchange's official website: jobboerse.arbeitsagentur.de by entering your details, CV, skills and previous experience on the website. With your login details you can immediately search for vacancies on the job exchange. The advantage is that all job offers on the job exchange are legal and transparent jobs, even the simplest professions. - After some time (in my experience the waiting time can be between 3 and 6 weeks) you will receive an invitation to a personal interview with an advisor from the employment center in your city. He/she will assess your skills, re-enter data into the database and give you suggestions. The advisor's commitment and willingness to help you is crucial, so ask specific questions and don't accept boring, general answers. Motivated consultants have the opportunity to use part of the budget for you, i.e. H. they can approve training and programs for you. (The amount depends on your potential and current availability.) Less motivated consultants just want to check off one visit. To improve the chances of a successful conversation, you should collect information in advance and ask your questions specifically, coordinate your behavior and pay attention to the right tone.

2. You have a fixed-term contract that expires in the next three months. According to rumors, your employer wants to "restructure" the staff. | Register at the employment office as described in point

1. - The theoretical idea behind this rule is that it is intended to help you find a new job before you become unemployed. In fact, I've never heard of anyone being so lucky. But it is necessary for administrative reasons: the Federal Agency's internal database uses this data for forecasts; it is your duty and if you fail to do so, you could be penalized with lower unemployment benefits.

3. You have been laid off or lost your job. | Go to the employment office in person within 3 working days of your last day of work at the company! This deadline is mandatory to register as unemployed. The employment agency will give you a series of forms to fill out, then calculate your benefit and pay your health insurance. If you worked for a year before becoming unemployed, you will usually receive support for six months. In addition to financial support, during this time you will have to apply for a job, go to appointments with your counselor at the employment center, possibly attend training courses and demonstrate your efforts. You are not allowed to leave your place of residence for more than 21 days per year - and never without informing the employment office. The logic is this: you are available when an employer is looking for workers like you; You are expected to do everything you can to work as quickly as possible, so you are allowed to leave your city if you go to an interview elsewhere.

There are two basic principles for dealing with the employment office and pretty much any other German institution: (1) you have to speak German, and (2) only German is spoken (take an interpreter or a German-speaking friend with you!). You must support every statement you make or write with evidence, documents and certifications.

Some additional information in English about the German labor market can be found on the official website arbeitsagentur.de .

Job center in Austria

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Unemployed people and employees who are about to make a career change have the opportunity to register as unemployed with the Austrian Labor Market Service (AMS). This can be done in the regional offices of the AMS (→ AMS) in all federal states and larger cities. As soon as a person has registered as unemployed with the AMS, they receive professional advice from a personal supervisor.

You can register with the AMS as an unemployed job seeker regardless of whether you are entitled to benefits from unemployment insurance (e.g. unemployment benefit, emergency assistance). To receive one of these benefits, you must submit an application for unemployment benefits or an application for emergency assistance.

The deadline

If you are entitled to unemployment insurance benefits, you must register with the AMS as a job seeker no later than the first day of unemployment and the required deadlines must be met in order to be entitled to this benefit.

Proceedings

Applicants must appear in person at the responsible AMS office and fill out various forms. There, the job seeker is assigned a personal advisor who will discuss the next steps in the job search process with him/her.

Required documents

Depending on the individual situation, different documents and documentation must be submitted. Call the responsible AMS office to find out which documents you need to bring with you.

Further information

Even if you are not entitled to unemployment insurance benefits, you may still be able to receive various types of assistance from the AMS. Ideally, the support options available to the individual will be discussed by the AMS advisor.

In order to start work as quickly as possible, you must work with the AMS and take advantage of the work opportunities offered. This includes writing applications and introducing yourself to companies. Even though the AMS strives to provide you with the best possible support, personal initiative is the most important factor for returning to work. You can also find application tips at oesterreich.gv.at.

What does a job center do for me?

Job centers assign them supervisors. During your interview, you will talk to your supervisor about how you plan to search for work. This is often referred to as your “work effort.”

You will talk about what type of work you are looking for, how much you want to earn, how many hours you can work per week, and any restrictions you have on getting around (for example, having to use public transportation if you don't have a car ).

You will also discuss any other things in your life that might affect how much and what type of work you can do. These could include young children, caring responsibilities, an illness or disability, homelessness, a drug or alcohol problem, a recent death or recent abuse.

After you and your supervisor have discussed your situation in detail, you will be told which "work-related activity group" you fall into. These are the things you must do to continue receiving your benefits.

Some examples of what you need to do to continue receiving your benefits:

• Regular meetings with your supervisor
• Write a resume
• Participation in training courses
• Search and apply for jobs.

What should I bring with me to an interview at a job center?

Attention, these are general information. Certain job centers may charge more or less. You will need at least the following:

• An identification document (passport or driver's license)
• Proof of address (an official letter from a bank, utility company or similar)
• Proof of your social security number (this can be found on your social security card, a payslip or a letter from HMRC).
• A bank statement or bank card.
• Depending on the circumstances, you may also need the following

proof of the amount of rent or mortgage you pay

• Proof of your savings
• Proof of your current or previous income, e.g. E.g. a payslip or P45
• Details of other income you have
• Proof of your childcare costs and any child benefit you receive.

Coronavirus and job interviews at job centers

At the time of writing, no one is required to seek or be available for work due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This will remain the case until at least the end of June 2023, regardless of your previous commitment as an applicant. Your carer may still want to contact you by telephone.

We assume that as soon as the pandemic is under control, the previous rules will apply again. This means that your benefits could be reduced or stopped if you fail to meet your obligations.