The employment agency is itself a job placement agency. The International and Specialized Services division of the German Federal Employment Agency (ZAV, Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit) works closely with other organisations, even in the respective home countries, in an effort to fill positions in Germany with applicants from abroad. At information and selection events abroad, the ZAV presents job openings in German companies and recruits qualified applicants. The current focus is on mechanical, electrical and ICT engineers, technical and IT specialists, doctors and nurses as well as specialists for the hotel and gastronomy industry.

Germany has negotiated special recruitment agreements with some countries. The Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) is also involved in the implementation processes of these agreements.  It also sets the standards for the private job placement agencies that place workers in Germany under these special arrangements.