I am sharing this experience so other candidates and companies understand the risks when an offer in Germany depends on an external Employer of Record and when key information is not communicated transparently.
In April 2024, I interviewed with Nerdio for a strategic role in Germany that was a strong match for my background. I received an offer and signed it on April 24. Throughout the process, I was in contact with the recruiter, Kate Marchant, who coordinated the steps between Nerdio and Remote (the Employer of Record).
My profile: over 20 years of professional experience, 10 years working in Europe, German language skills, two European master’s degrees recognised in Anabin, and a valid German visa allowing me to seek employment. This combination normally qualifies for a skilled worker / EU Blue Card path in Germany.
After signing, I provided all documents requested on Remote’s platform and followed every instruction promptly. Communication from the Employer of Record was minimal and reactive, and updates often came late. Over roughly a month, I invested significant time and money (including international travel to legalize a power of attorney) and paused other recruitment processes because I trusted the signed offer and the information being shared with me.
During this period, I later understood that conversations were happening between Remote and Nerdio about concerns regarding my degrees and work authorization. As a candidate, I was not clearly informed about the substance or timing of those discussions. Instead, I received fragmented messages and reassurances that did not match the seriousness of the decisions being taken.
One example that was particularly hard to experience: on a Friday evening, which was also my wedding day, I received a call from Kate telling me that there was suddenly an issue with my degrees. By that point, the decision not to move forward with my hire appears to have already been made, yet I was only given partial information and a very limited explanation. From my perspective, this was not simply a scheduling issue; it reflected a lack of sensitivity and transparency in how the situation was communicated.
About one month after signing, I was formally informed that I was “not hireable” and that my eligibility for a Blue Card could not be guaranteed, which is incorrect: I had a valid visa that allowed me to transition to a Blue Card. After consulting a lawyer, it became clear that this assessment did not reflect my actual legal situation or the typical handling of similar profiles in Germany. In my view, the core problem was not my eligibility, but the way the case was managed and how information was handled between Remote, Nerdio and me as the candidate. Who was not even a candidate anymore, as I had already signed.
In follow‑up email communication, to the hiring manager and Kate Merchant and the answer I got was framed as if I had “withdrawn” my acceptance of the role.
For future candidates and employers, I would highlight:
If a recruiter is your main point of contact, insist on clear, written summaries of what is being discussed with the Employer of Record, especially when there are questions about degrees, visas, or Blue Card eligibility.
Pay attention not only to the company’s brand but also to how individual recruiters handle timing, transparency and sensitive communication. Late, partial information and framing a situation as “withdrawal” can have serious consequences for a candidate’s life and career.
For Nerdio, Remote, and the recruitment team, I would strongly recommend reviewing this case in detail. Clearer communication, more honest escalation and greater consideration for the timing and tone of difficult messages would have significantly reduced the harm caused.
