A job interview in Germany follows its own rules. If you are applying from abroad — or building your career in Germany as an international professional — you face two challenges at once: convincing an employer professionally, and doing it in a foreign language and culture. The good news: German interviews are structured and predictable. Once you know the pattern, you can prepare for almost everything in this guide.
This guide focuses on interviews held in German — the standard for most jobs in Germany. If your interview will be in English (common in tech and international companies), the sections on process and culture still apply one-to-one.
How job interviews in Germany typically work
Most companies run a two-stage process. The first interview is often a 30–45 minute video or phone call with HR, checking your motivation, your CV and — for non-native speakers — whether communication works. The second interview takes place on site (or again by video) with the department you would work in, and goes deeper into your professional skills.
The structure of the conversation itself is fairly fixed:
- A short greeting and a little small talk — much shorter than in many other countries
- Your self-introduction („Erzählen Sie mir etwas über sich“)
- Professional questions about your experience and skills
- Soft-skill and situational questions
- Your questions to the company
- Next steps and goodbye
Plan for 45–90 minutes, arrive (or dial in) five minutes early — punctuality is taken literally in Germany — and expect direct, precise questions. German interviewers want concrete answers with real examples, not polished sales pitches. Modest but specific beats confident but vague.
The most common German interview questions
These questions appear in almost every German interview. Learn to recognize them in German — and prepare your answers out loud.
„Erzählen Sie mir etwas über sich.“
“Tell me about yourself.”
Prepare a 2-minute self-introduction: what you do now, your relevant experience, why you are here. This question opens almost every German interview.
„Warum möchten Sie bei uns arbeiten?“
“Why do you want to work for us?”
Research the company before the interview and name something specific — a product, a project, their market. Generic answers are noticed immediately.
„Was sind Ihre Stärken und Schwächen?“
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Name a real weakness and explain how you deal with it. German interviewers value honesty over a 'perfect' answer.
„Warum haben Sie Ihre letzte Stelle verlassen?“
“Why did you leave your last job?”
Stay factual and never speak badly about a former employer. Gaps in your CV will be asked about — prepare a calm, honest explanation.
„Beschreiben Sie eine schwierige Situation und wie Sie sie gelöst haben.“
“Describe a difficult situation and how you solved it.”
Use the STAR structure: Situation, Task, Action, Result. One concrete example beats three vague ones.
„Haben Sie noch Fragen an uns?“
“Do you have any questions for us?”
Never say no. Prepare two or three questions about the team, the daily work or the onboarding — it signals genuine interest.
How good does your German need to be?
This is the question most international applicants worry about — usually more than they need to. The honest answer: it depends on the role, but perfection is not the bar. Many job ads ask for B1 or B2. Interviewers can see from your CV that German is not your first language; what they are checking is whether communication at work will function.
- It is fine to ask. „Könnten Sie die Frage bitte wiederholen?“ (Could you please repeat the question?) is a normal sentence, not a weakness.
- Simple and correct beats complex and broken. Short, clear sentences make a far better impression than long ones that fall apart halfway.
- Grammar mistakes don't fail you — silence does. A wrong article („der/die/das“) is forgotten in seconds. Not being able to answer at all is what hurts. That is why practicing your answers out loud, in German, matters more than any grammar revision.
If the role is English-speaking, parts of the interview may switch to English — but greeting the interviewer and handling small talk in German is always noticed positively.
Cultural codes that matter in German interviews
- „Sie“, not „du“. Use the formal address until the interviewer explicitly offers otherwise.
- Punctuality is non-negotiable. Five to ten minutes early is on time. Late is disqualifying.
- Documents are taken seriously. References and certificates („Zeugnisse“) carry real weight — bring them, and mention relevant qualifications.
- Directness is normal. Questions are precise, and precise answers are expected. Answer what was asked, then stop. Overselling in superlatives — common in US-style interviews — can come across as unserious.
- Dress code: business casual is the safe default; banking, insurance and law remain conservative; many tech and trade jobs are more relaxed. When unsure, dress one level up.
How to practice — out loud, in German, with feedback
Reading question lists does not prepare you for the moment you have to speak. The only thing that does: formulating your answers out loud, in German, and getting feedback on them — again and again, until the sentences come naturally.
For a full rehearsal, BewerbungsFreund simulates a complete German job interview for your specific role or job ad — in German, exactly like the real one. You get instant AI feedback after every answer, you can translate questions, feedback and sample answers into English with one click, and there is a simple-language mode if you are still learning German. The first 3 questions are free, no registration needed.
Practice your German job interview
Answer 3 questions — get free AI feedback, with help in English.
Frequently asked questions
Will the interview be in German or English?
For most positions in Germany, the interview is in German — it is the working language of most teams. If the job ad is written in English or the company is explicitly international, parts of the interview (or all of it) may be in English. Even then, the greeting and small talk often happen in German — a little practice never hurts. It is completely acceptable to ask the recruiter beforehand which language the interview will be held in.
Is B1 German enough for a job interview?
For many jobs, yes — especially in shortage occupations like care work, skilled trades, logistics and parts of IT. Client-facing roles often expect B2. More important than your certificate level: you can understand questions and give clear, simple answers. Interviewers know from your CV that German is not your first language — they check whether you can communicate at work, not whether you speak perfectly.
What should I bring to a German job interview?
A printed copy of your CV, your references and certificates ('Zeugnisse' — Germany takes documents seriously), and a notepad. For video interviews, test your technology beforehand and choose a quiet, neutral background.
How long does it take to hear back after the interview?
One to three weeks is normal. If you have heard nothing after two weeks, a short, polite follow-up email is perfectly acceptable and shows continued interest.
Can I practice a German job interview online for free?
Yes. With BewerbungsFreund you can practice a realistic German job interview for your specific role — 3 questions are free, without registration. You answer in German and get instant AI feedback; questions, feedback and sample answers can be translated into English with one click.