PSP
WHO WE ARE
The German Chamber Network (AHK) provides experience, connections and services worldwide through 130 locations in 90 countries. The AHKs are the most important partners of the Federal German Ministry for Economics and Technology in terms of promoting German business abroad. Together with Germany’s missions abroad (i.e. embassies and consulates) the AHKs officially represent the
interests of German industry and commerce in their host countries. The German Chambers of Commerce have three main functions: • official representation of German industry and commerce
• member organization for companies and individuals • service provider for companies and individuals
Additionally, our liaison office in Washington, DC, the Representative of German Industry and Trade (RGIT), represents the interests of the German business community vis-à-vis both the U.S. administration and the international organizations based in Washington, DC.
We represent and work on behalf of 3,700 German subsidiaries across the U.S.
With 2,500 member companies and office locations in Atlanta, Chicago, and New York as well as branch offices in Detroit,
Houston, Philadelphia and San Francisco, the members and clients of GACCs benefit from a nationwide service network. The GACCs have 70 employees and an additional 9 volunteer-run chapters and 5 affiliates across the country.
PARTNER SUPPORT PROGRAM (PSP)
International assignments can present challenges not only for the expatriate but also for his/her spouse and family. The successful integration of an accompanying spouse into the new environment is often a critical success factor and requires both careful preparation
as well as a strong support structure in the new assignment country. Therefore, the GACCs provide you a range of services to ensure that you receive the support you need to reach your personal goals.
The GACCs have more than 60 years of experience in bringing the U.S. and Germany together and understand the particular challeng-es faced by the expatriate community in the U.S. Our intercultural expertise, vast experience and wide network enable us to provide
PARTNER SUPPORT PROGRAM
1. Pre-departure
Pre-departure consultation via Skype or telephone to identify personal needs,
plans and goals for the time in the U.S. and to provide initial ideas and
suggestions.
2. Arrival in the U.S.
Post-arrival seminars and individual consultation focused on three pillars:
1. Job search assistance 2. Education & university 3. Volunteering & community
engagement
3. Re-integration in Germany
Individual consultation to foster and support home country awareness and
to establish or continue a career in Germany.
1. Job search assistance
● Individualized one-on-one consulting
● Advice on job search strategy
● Resume and cover letter optimization
● Individual interview trainings
● Networking opportunities
2. Education & university
● Detailed information on possibilities
● Assistance in choosing the right major/school
● Information on admission processes
3. Volunteering & community engagement
● Identify opportunities based on individual interests
● Volunteering possibilities
● Social activities
SERVICE PACKAGES
Starter package
(recommended for all spouses interested in PSP but not a prerequisite for the other packages)
Post-arrival seminar (requires a minimum number of 5 participants)
● Half-day seminar at respective GACC/company locations
● Encourage networking in the local community
● Introduction to local GACC PSP service partners and to other expatriate spouses
● Detailed region-specific ‘info-packet’ covering local job market, educational options and volunteer/social opportunities available in German and English
● Information and discussion blocks on following topics:
• Pertinent political, cultural and economic aspects (region-specific for each location)
• The U.S. work environment and labor market
• Q & A Session
● One-on-one meeting for individual consultation
● Clarification of available PSP Services and individual questions
● Pre-departure consultation via Skype or telephone to identify personal needs, plans and goals for the time in the U.S. and to offer initial ideas
and suggestions
● Explanation of available PSP services
● Starter-Kit with general information about living, working and studying in the U.S. available in German and English
SERVICE PACKAGES
Job search assistance package (Up to 12 hours of support are included)
Successful job placement cannot be guaranteed
Streamlined job search assistance package (Up to 6 hours of support are included)
Successful job placement cannot be guaranteed
● Individual consultation via telephone or Skype to discuss your professional background and skill set as well as your personal career goals for the U.S.
● Basic information regarding self-employment and necessary licensing (additional contacts to CPA and law firms will be provided)
● Information regarding traditional employment and assistance with the application process for the required permit and work authorization (additional contacts to law firms will be provided)
● Development of a customized job search strategy and action plan;
identification of relevant local companies or other employment opportunities
● Active support in developing market-appropriate resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile for job search
● One-on-one interview training via Skype or at a GACC office
● Provision of contact information when possible
● Creation of jobseeker profile in our JobXchange platform
● Discussion of cultural differences between the German and the U.S. work environment
SERVICE PACKAGES
Volunteering & community engagement package (Up to 5 hours of support are included)
● Individual consultation via telephone or Skype to determine personal areas of interest, including but not limited to recreational sports leagues, music lessons, cooking classes, language instruction, volunteering opportunities (charities, schools, museums, animal welfare organizations), etc.
● Customized research of local opportunities and active support to connect you with other spouses with similar interests
● Additional support with day-to-day questions and concerns
Education & university package (Up to 6 hours of support are included)
● Consultation and explanation of U.S. higher education system via telephone or Skype
● Listing of local schools, universities and community colleges
● Active support with application packages, financial aid applications and enrollment process for Bachelor’s, Master’s and continuing education
SERVICE PACKAGES
Relocation package to Germany (Up to 4 hours of support are included) Close cooperation with AHKs
worldwide
● Foster and support home country awareness or new assignment country awareness
● Individual consultation to establish your career in your home country/new assignment country
● Active support in developing market-appropriate resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile for job search
● Information regarding current job market in home country/new assignment country
German American Chambers of Commerce
Michaela Schobert
Director Consulting Services - GACC South
Phone: +1 (404) 586-6804 E-Mail: [email protected]
Justin Flaxbart
Manager Career Services - GACC Midwest
Phone: +1 (312) 644-3369 E-Mail: [email protected]
“We are very delighted about the extremely successful collaboration with the German American Chambers of Commerce (GACCs) on our Partner Support Program (PSP)! The program was implemented in July 2013 at our locations in Chattanooga, TN and Auburn Hills,
MI. The PSP provides our expats support with planning for their individual futures both in Germany prior to their departure as well as at their respective locations following their placement in the USA. A personal consultation provides critical assistance with topics such as the job search, continuing education, social networks and volunteer work, among other fields. The Partner Support Program contributes
considerably to the success of postings in the US; this is also exhibited by the satisfaction of our expat partners and families. At Volkswagen we greatly appreciate the fact that we could gain a partner like the GACCs and we look forward to future successful
projects. We gladly recommend the PSP consulting package without reservations to other interested companies.”