Questions & Answers:
Everything about colorbirds
What does colorbirds do?
colorbirds is a recruitment agency for hosts, promoters and service staff in the greater Bavaria area. As a partner of Messe München, there are many jobs available at trade fairs in addition to traditional events and promotional campaigns.
Despite digitalization, personal contact is very important to us at colorbirds! We are a rapidly growing community and our colorbirds come from many different countries. We love it so colorful!
In which cities is colorbirds represented?
We offer a variety of flexible part-time jobs in the greater Munich area. From time to time, we also have positions available in other major cities such as Hamburg, Cologne, Nuremberg and Frankfurt. If you have accommodation options in other cities as well, please feel free to let us know.
What do I need to bring with me to become a Colorbird?
You should definitely be friendly and outgoing and enjoy working with people. You should also have a well-groomed appearance and enjoy working in a team. In addition to very good German language skills, other languages are an advantage. Even if this is your very first job at colorbirds, don’t worry! We will deliberately assign you to experienced colorbirds who will be happy to show you everything.
Click here to apply.
How am I employed at colorbirds?
colorbirds offers jobs exclusively through so-called “short-term employment.”
Advantages:
- Unlike mini-jobs based on €603, short-term employment is not subject to flat-rate taxation. Therefore, we will register you with your income tax bracket in the months in which you work as a colorbird.
- You are insured with us during your assignment and on your way there.
- Short-term employment allows you to work only when you want to.
- Short-term employment is exempt from social security contributions. This means you will have little to no deductions, depending on how much you earn alongside your colorbirds job.
How can I contact colorbirds?
If you have any general questions, you can contact us as follows:
Our opening hours are Monday–Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you are booked for a project, you can contact your project manager directly via the messaging tool in the app.
What language skills are required?
Good German language skills are important. If you speak other languages, that is very welcome!
I am a non-EU citizen and would like to work as a Colorbird:
We need your ID card or passport (front and back), as well as your residence permit with your work permit.
What does an employment contract look like?
A few days before your first day with us, an employment contract will be uploaded to the Teamhero-App. Please check the contract for the duration (e.g., 3 months / 6 months / 12 months). You will then sign it digitally and upload it back to the Teamhero-App. You are not allowed to work for us without a signed employment contract.
How do I cancel with colorbirds?
Please send your cancellation to . A short message stating your wish to cancel is sufficient.
If you want to take a longer break, your profile can be put on “Pause,” which means your profile remains active but you will no longer receive emails from us. At your request, we can reactivate your profile at any time, and you can get started with us again right away.
Everything you need to know about your application
How do I apply to colorbirds?
Please register in our system first. We will then get back to you as soon as possible. After submitting your application in our system, you will receive invitations to our colorbirds ACADEMY by email.
Please confirm one of the suggested dates here. If none of them suit you, we will send you the next dates on a monthly basis. A few days beforehand, you will receive all the details for the ACADEMY via WhatsApp and can fill out your profile in advance.
In a small group, you will receive lots of information about the agency and our processes, and you will get to know some of our employees. Of course, this is also about you! You will have the opportunity to introduce yourself and tell us a few things about yourself, so that we can get a first impression of you.
How do I communicate with colorbirds?
If you have any questions or requests regarding your assignment, please contact your project manager by email, app, or phone.
If you have any questions about accounting (e.g., payroll accounting, changes to non-editable fields such as IBAN, income tax bracket), our accounting department will be happy to assist you by email at .
I applied immediately after receiving the job invitation. Why didn't I get the job?
First of all, the timing of your application is not relevant to our allocation process. It is important to us to achieve a balanced and harmonious allocation. Generally speaking, there are a limited number of positions available—once these are filled, they are filled. We try to make our assignment process as fair and transparent as possible. We take into account how you behaved during your last assignments, what qualifications you have, and whether we believe the job is a good fit for you. Often, the decision also depends on the customer. That’s why it can sometimes take a few days before we can give you a final yes or no.
What happens after the Academy / when will I receive my login details for Teamhero?
If everything went well at the ACADEMY and we would like to work with you in the future, you will receive an email notification approximately 1-3 days later asking you to complete your profile and upload your status document. We will check this manually. Once everything is complete, you will receive an email notification asking you to create a password for your login.
I haven't heard back yet after applying for a job. What does that mean?
As a rule, the final allocation takes place approximately two weeks before the event. All applicants who we are unable to accept due to the high number of applicants will receive a rejection letter from us. If you have not received any feedback three days before the event, you can normally assume that you have not been booked. We make every effort to notify you of any rejections in a timely manner. However, during busy trade fair periods, this can sometimes be difficult. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Everything about your assignment
How can I sign my contract digitally?
A few days before your first job with us, we will upload your employment contract to the Teamhero-App. Please refer to the contract for the duration (e.g., 3 months/6 months/12 months). Then sign it digitally and upload it again to the Teamhero-App. You are not allowed to work for us without a signed employment contract.
What tasks will I be responsible for as a colorbird?
The tasks range from putting together goodie bags, registration, and cashier duties to manning the trade fair booth/information counter, light service duties, and much more! Once you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll see that it never gets boring and that you’ll gain insight into a wide variety of areas!
I want to work on a job together with my friends. How does that work?
We would be delighted if you recommended us to your friends and helped our colorful colorbirds community grow. At many large events and trade fairs, you have the opportunity to work together with your friends. That makes earning money twice as much fun. The sooner you announce this, the higher the chance of working together.
When will I receive my briefing?
You will usually receive your briefing 1-3 days before your assignment so that you have enough time to prepare for the check call.
What is a check call?
The check call takes place the day before your assignment and clarifies all the details once again. We discuss styling, dress code, and the meeting point. We brief you again via Teams on what the customer values and what you need to bear in mind, so that nothing stands in the way of a successful assignment.
Who should I contact in case of delay/illness before my assignment?
As a general rule, the sooner you let us know, the better. Please ALWAYS contact your project manager (contact number in the briefing or contact number on Teamhero) and NOT the client directly. This gives us the opportunity to take immediate action and organize a replacement for you if necessary.
What should I wear for my assignment?
There is no general answer to this question; it depends entirely on your assignment. Our job offers therefore describe the clothing you should wear for your assignment. In general, most host/hostess jobs require a private black and white business outfit (black trousers, white blouse/shirt, black blazer/jacket, black smart shoes). If you do not own these items and would like to do more hostess jobs, it makes sense to purchase them.
Promotional jobs are usually a bit more casual. You will often be asked to wear your own neat jeans (without rips) and clean sneakers—you will usually be given a T-shirt with the customer’s logo to wear on top. In some cases, however, we or our customer will provide you with the entire outfit—as you can see, it always depends on the job!
Why do we always meet 15 minutes before the start of the assignment?
We want everyone to start their assignment together as a team and introduce themselves to our client together. Our experience has shown that there are always minor delays. Fifteen minutes is therefore a good “buffer.”
Where can I use colorbirds?
Wherever people gather: at trade fairs, events, roadshows, exhibitions, openings, or pop-up stores. Whether reception, promotion, or catering services—our colorbirds adapt charmingly to any situation.
How much break time am I entitled to?
Our breaks comply with the legally prescribed break times:
0–6 hours of daily working time: no break
6–9 hours of daily working time: 30-minute break
9–10 hours of work per day: 45-minute break
Will I be compensated for my breaks?
Yes! We also compensate you for the breaks required by law. This also means that they will not be deducted from your salary.
How do I record my hours?
All you have to do is clock in and out on site using the colorbirds app to record your actual working hours. Your project manager will approve your work data after the assignment, and it will be displayed accordingly in the app.
Will I be provided with meals during my assignment?
As a general rule, you are responsible for your own meals. Therefore, please NEVER help yourself to buffets, snacks, or similar items without an explicit request/invitation from your local contact person. After all, we are there to work, not to eat our customers’ food.
Everything related to billing
When will I receive my wages?
You will receive your salary on the 15th of the following month. If this falls on a weekend or public holiday, you will receive your salary on the next working day.
Please note that for assignments spanning multiple months, your payroll will be processed on a calendar month basis.
Example: You work at a trade fair from October 28 to November 2.
Your working days in October (October 28–31) will be paid with your October paycheck on November 15. The working days that fall in November (November 1–2) will be paid with your next paycheck for November on December 15.
Why haven't I received my salary?
Please ensure that you have filled in all the important fields and uploaded all the necessary documents to your personal profile. (Proof of status, social security number, tax identification number, income tax bracket, bank account details, etc.)
Why do I save my pay slips?
Your pay slips may show income tax deductions. You can claim these back at the beginning of the following year by submitting your annual income tax return to the tax office and receive a refund.
Which income tax bracket do I use when calculating taxes for colorbirds?
If your work as a colorbird is your only source of income, you can specify income tax bracket 1 on your monthly statement.
If you have another job (that is not a mini-job) and are taxed under income tax bracket 1 there, you must be taxed under income tax bracket 6 at colorbirds. It is your responsibility to specify the correct income tax bracket on your monthly statement. For changes to your income tax bracket, please contact our accounting department at .
Overview of all income tax brackets (LSK):
LSK 1: People living alone
LSK 2: Single parents or separated parents who receive child benefit
LSK 3 and 5: Married couples (LSK 3 with lowest deductions / LSK 5 with highest deductions)
LSK 4: Married
LSK 6: Employees who are already accounted for by another employer via LSK 1
If you are a student and have a mini-job > earning €603, please check whether your mini-job employer pays you a flat rate or via an LSK. If you are paid a flat rate, you can work as a colorbird via LSK 1.
What is my “status”?
Your status describes your current occupation, e.g. whether you are a pupil, prospective student, student, or perhaps already employed.
What is a “proof of status”?
Proof of status is proof of your current employment. You can upload this to your personal profile under Documents. You will need:
- proof of enrollment as a pubil
- a certificate of enrollment as a student
- an employer statement as an employee
- A letter of intent to study as a school leaver if you plan to study
What should I do if my status changes?
As soon as your status changes, please inform us by email () and send us your new proof of status. It is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents and personal information are correct and complete before your assignment.
Why am I only allowed to work at colorbirds for 70 days per calendar year?
By law, “short-term employment” is limited to 70 days per year. If you work more than 70 days, both the employer and the employee must pay social security contributions retroactively for the 70 days already worked.
The 70-day limit applies across all employers, i.e., if you have other short-term jobs, the days worked in all short-term jobs are added together. It is therefore very important that you keep track of your total working days and always inform us regularly about any other short-term employment, e.g., by sending an email to .
Can I work for other employers on a short-term basis in addition to colorbirds?
Yes – however, it is your responsibility to keep track of the total number of days you have been employed on a short-term basis per year. You may not exceed 70 days in a calendar year, otherwise you may face penalties and additional social security contributions that you will have to pay. You must also note that you may only assign wage tax class 1 to a maximum of one employer per month for your payroll accounting. All other employers must be accounted for under wage tax class 6. This is also your responsibility!
I receive BAföG:
Please note that there are income limits that may result in a reduction in BaFöG. Please inquire for more information.
Template for declaration of intent to study
Here you will find the template for the letter of intent. Please upload it to your personal profile under Documents.
I am still covered by my parents' health insurance:
Please note that there are income limits that must be observed, and exceeding these limits will require you to take out your own health insurance. Please check with your health insurance provider.
Everything about the app
How can I change my details/data in Teamhero?
There are two options for changing your personal data. For accounting-related data (IBAN, income tax bracket, address, etc.), please send an email to . You cannot change this information yourself.
You can change general information such as registration details, clothing size, or language skills yourself in your Teamhero-profile via your web browser or the app.
How do I clock in and out?
On the day of your assignment, you can check in via the colorbirds-app 30 minutes in advance. As soon as you open the app, you can click on the assignment day and a “play button” will appear to check in. Please only check in once you have arrived at your workplace. The same applies to checking out at the end of the workday. If you encounter any problems with the app or do not have sufficient mobile data, you can simply call your respective project manager at the colorbirds office and let them know that you have arrived.
How can I tell if I have been assigned?
It’s best to turn on push notifications in the app. Then you’ll automatically receive a notification when you’ve been assigned or rejected. In the app, you’ll see that the job appears under “Active.” To finally accept the job, you have to click on the green “Confirm” button again. Now the assignment is confirmed and you are firmly booked. In the app, you will also find initial information about your confirmed job. A project manager will then contact you with additional details.
