Practice a Job Interview in German
A German job interview is the highest-pressure conversation most learners ever have: formal register, complex grammar, professional vocabulary, and the unspoken cultural rules of the country you're interviewing in. This scenario walks through the full interview arc — greeting and small talk, the 'tell me about yourself' answer, behavioural questions, salary discussion, and asking smart questions back. You'll practise the formal German register, the verbs for past achievements ('I led, I delivered, I improved'), and the body of professional vocabulary that turns hesitant answers into confident ones.
Sample German conversation
Guten Morgen! Bitte nehmen Sie Platz. Danke, dass Sie heute gekommen sind. Können Sie mir zuerst etwas über sich erzählen?
Good morning! Please take a seat. Thank you for coming in today. Can you start by telling me about yourself?Natürlich! Ich habe Marketing studiert und arbeite seit drei Jahren in diesem Bereich.
Of course! I studied marketing and I've been working in the field for three years.Drei Jahre Erfahrung, das ist toll. Was war Ihre Hauptaufgabe in Ihrer letzten Position?
Three years of experience, that's great. What was your main responsibility in your last role?Ich habe Social-Media-Kampagnen geleitet und die Ergebnisse ausgewertet.
I managed social media campaigns and analyzed the results.Was würden Sie als Ihre größten Stärken bezeichnen?
What would you say are your greatest strengths?Ich bin ein guter Kommunikator. Ich komme gut mit verschiedenen Menschentypen zurecht.
I'm a strong communicator. I work well with different types of people.
What you'll learn
- Greet interviewers with the right formal register
- Deliver a 60-second 'tell me about yourself' in German
- Answer behavioural questions with concrete examples
- Discuss salary and benefits without awkwardness
- Ask smart questions about the role and team
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important phrase in a German job interview?
The professional 'Pleased to meet you' opener and a strong 'Thank you for your time' closer. Both are formal in German and signal respect.
How do I talk about salary in German without it being awkward?
There's a soft formula — 'What's the salary range for this role?' — that's professional and direct. The scenario rehearses the negotiation language too.
How formal should my German be in an interview?
Very formal — use the formal 'you' throughout, full sentences, and avoid contractions. The scenario models this register consistently.
What questions should I ask back in a German interview?
Ask about team structure, growth opportunities, and what success looks like in 90 days. We include sample questions in German in the scenario.