What does full-time mean in professional life?

In a job, full-time is a common form of employment, but what does full-time mean in everyday working life? Full-time employment refers to working an average of 35 to 40 hours per week. Unlike part-time work, full-time employees generally work the regular hours that apply to their industry or job. This means that the work of one full-time job can be split between approximately 2 part-time jobs. Full-time employment offers you various benefits: One of the most obvious is a stable income, as full-time employees usually receive a fixed monthly salary. In addition, full-time employees often have access to more comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, additional paid vacation and retirement plans.

The requirements and working conditions can vary depending on the company and industry. A full-time job can offer an exciting career opportunity and give employees the chance to develop professionally.

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What exactly does it mean to work full-time?

Full-time employment means that you work a set number of hours per week - usually between 35 and 40 hours per week. This means you spend an average of 8 hours a day at work and this work takes up the majority of your working week. Of course, this is within the framework of the statutory rules and laws on working hours, which also stipulate breaks and rest periods. 

Full-time employees participate fully in the duties and responsibilities of their job and thus contribute to the success of the company like other employees. In return, they receive a stable income as well as additional benefits and perks, such as paid vacation, health insurance and possibly a company pension plan.

Full-time employment usually requires a high level of commitment and dedication. It is usually not possible to take on another job or study during this time. It is important to meet the employer's expectations and to carry out the tasks assigned to you conscientiously.

Are you looking for a full-time job? Then maybe retail is for you, or the examples we gave you in the last paragraph. There tends to be a lot of demand for staff in retail and you can also earn very well there: 

The salary of a full-time sales assistant can vary depending on the industry, experience, qualifications and location. In Germany, the average salary of a full-time sales assistant is between around €2,192 gross per month, according to Stepstone 2025.

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What are the working hours like in a full-time job?

If you have a full-time job, you usually work between 35 and 40 hours per week.
The exact working hours can vary depending on the industry, company and position: In many cases, there are fixed working hours, often from Monday to Friday and within regular office hours. However, there may also be shift work or flexible working time models, particularly in sectors such as retail, catering or healthcare.

It is important to note that the specific working hours and regulations in a full-time job can vary from company to company . It is therefore advisable to clarify the exact working hours as part of the application process or in the employment contract to avoid misunderstandings.

‍Full-time does not mean that you cannot work overtime. So if there is a need in your company or you have not yet finished your work, this means that you may have to work more than actually prescribed, although there are very precise regulations in Germany as to what is allowed and what is not and how it must be remunerated. You can find out more about this topic in our article: Overtime in Germany.

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What are the advantages of a full-time position?

Working in a full-time position offers several advantages over part-time or mini-jobs. Firstly, full-time employment provides a higher, stable and regular income, as you usually receive a fixed salary. This makes it easier to plan and gives you financial security.

In addition, full-time positions often offer better career opportunities and promotion prospects. The longer working hours and greater commitment mean that you can be more involved in your work, take on responsibility and develop yourself further. This can lead to professional growth and better career prospects.

Another advantage of a full-time position is the opportunity to take advantage of more extensive social benefits. These include, for example, more comprehensive health insurance, a company pension scheme or additional vacation days. In addition, full-time employees often have a higher entitlement to paid vacation and special payments such as Christmas or vacation bonuses.

A full-time job can also enable a better work-life balance, as you can usually spread your working hours over the week. This leaves more free time for hobbies, family and personal interests.

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Find full-time jobs

WorkerHero offers a wide range of opportunities to find jobs throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. WorkerHero is also represented in most major cities: For example, you can also find full-time jobs in Berlin to advance your career there. Our broad network of employers from various industries allows you to discover suitable full-time positions and apply for exciting job offers, whether in the hospitality, retail, office or industrial sectors - WorkerHero connects applicants with employers looking for full-time employees. Our user-friendly platform makes it easy for you to search for full-time jobs in your region!

FAQ

You can find all questions about full-time work here

What does full-time mean? What is full-time in other languages?

So what does full-time actually mean in professional life? If you are still unsure about the meaning of this German word, then perhaps a short translation into other languages will help you.

• Full-time in English: full-time
• Full-time in Italian: a tempo pieno
• Full-time in Spanish: a tiempo completo
• Full-time in Polish: pełny etat
• Full-time in Romansh: cu normă întreagă
• Full-time in Croatian: puno vrijeme
• Full-time in French: à temps plein

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What is the difference between gross and net?

The difference between gross and net refers to an employee's income. The gross salary is the amount an employee earns before deduction of all taxes, social security contributions and other deductions. The net salary, on the other hand, is the amount actually paid out after all deductions have been made. These are taxes such as income tax and solidarity surcharge as well as social security contributions such as pension insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance.

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