A new law that took effect in January, 2005 makes it extremely difficult for a foriegner to find work in Germany, especially, if you are outside the EU. Basically the law states that priorty will be given first to 1. Germans 2. EU nationals 3. Other people. So basically, if you're living in Germany and looking for a full time job and need to apply for a work permit, and there are Germans and people from other EU countries with the same qualifications as you, well, your S.O.L. and you'll be denied the work permit. That of course doesn't mean that the job will go to a German or an EU citizen, it just means that the government wont allow you to work there unless you meet the qualifications granting you a permanent work permit. This means you need to marry a german or already be working in a company that intends to keep you in Germany for some time. For more information on this look at the U.S. Embassy website.
As a student looking for work I would recommend two thing. The first being find the Arbeitsamt (employment office) in your city and sign up on an email list that will send you advertisments for short term part time work. Jobs advertised can either be one or two day labor jobs (moving companies, construction, gardening) or they can be longer part time jobs (washing cars at a car rental company, catering companies, resturaunts). Of course the jobs will be advertised in german and a little working knowledge of german is necessary. Secondly, try and locate a Student Vermittlung (dispatching) agency. This will usually be run through the Arbeitsamt. This dispatching agency recieves requests for part time work students with certain qualifications. Sometimes this agency can be helpful. Also, dont forget the web. some helpful adresses are
jobcafe.de
and
jobber.de
Sometimes the Arbeitsamt has a "job lottery" (Arbeitsvermittlung) and is alos a job dispatch for labor jobs. Usually, this work is reserved for the unemployed but I got lucky in Munich and I got to participate. The jobs are nothing fancy and many other workers there are alcoholics, but you get paid in cash with no taxes. Usually the first thing many will ask when we get dispatched to a construction site or where ever, is if there is an "Alcoholverbot" (a ban on drinking). If the answer is no then the next question always is "where is the nearest liquor store?" This is typical in Bavaria, especially since the consider beer not as an alcoholic beverage, but rather as food. I'm serious. These guys wont eat anything all day but they drink several beers saying that they dont need any food since the beer is just the same as some bread. Really, I'm being serious!
Jobcafe.de
Jobber.de
