A Grounded Theory Study of the Job-Seeking Experiences of Foreign Graduates on the German Job Market

Abstract

This paper investigates foreign graduates' job-seeking experiences on the German job market. In order to explore the determinants of job-seeking success, it applies the Grounded Theory methodology. Based on seven in-depth interviews, it discovers 13 concepts linked to job-seeking and organises them into three thematic categories: preconditions for employment, perception of the labour market and strategies for job acquisition. Through discussion based on data and literature, the paper organises the categories into a process. On the basis of the process, a substantive Grounded Theory of achieving labour market success is presented.