A jobs fair in the German capital was a recruitment opportunity for more than 4,000 newcomers who attended.
The refugee-only fair had 211 employers seeking staff in sectors such as tourism, IT, supermarkets, construction and medicine.
Some 1.1 million asylum seekers arrived in Germany last year alone, and for many, finding jobs is an important way to regain self-esteem and establish themselves in their new environment.
According to a spokesperson for the Federal Employment Agency, many refugees have a “huge willingness” to find work.
Stephan Kuehne, who runs Flottwell Hotel in central Berlin, said he is ready to recruit anyone with qualifications and motivation.
"We are looking all the time for people... there aren't enough young people," he said.
Germany has a chronic manpower shortage due to its low birth rate and ageing population. The situation is set to deteriorate, leading business leaders to hope that the newcomers will provide the workers needed.
The lack of German language skills has hampered a number of applicants, but many new arrivals have already begun lessons and not every job requires fluency.
Juliane Hensel, who recruited two Pakistani men as security guards for her company City Schutz, said her company has between 30 and 50 vacant positions in Berlin alone. Schutz provides security for several refugee shelters, and the candidates at the fair have the necessary language skills.
"The people want to work and are greatly motivated, that's an enormous advantage for our sector," said Hensel.
"We are serious about getting any good job, because we want to stand on our own feet and not depend on the German government," said one, Muhammad Asjed.
Their potential employer will now need approval from the state labour agency, run checks on their judiciary records, as well as provide training.
Franziska Giffey, mayor of the Berlin district Neukölln, said it was time "we moved from the first phase of housing these people in need to the second phase of integrating them".
