Job interviews in Germany: how to prepare
The invitation has arrived. Now you have 30 to 60 minutes to back up what your CV says and to find out whether the job suits you. Here is how interviews in Germany usually work, which questions almost always come up and which ones you do not have to answer. We give the questions and sample answers in German with a translation, because these are the exact phrases you will hear.
1How it usually works
- Short phone or video call (15–30 minutes): HR checks your motivation, your German, salary expectations and start date.
- First interview (45–60 minutes) with the manager and often someone from HR: your background, professional questions, your questions.
- Second interview or trial work: in care (Pflege) and the trades (Handwerk) often a trial day (Probetag, Hospitation), in larger companies sometimes a case task or an assessment centre.
People greet with a handshake or a nod and use the formal “Sie” until you are offered “du”. Arrive 5–10 minutes early. Bring copies of your CV, your Zeugnisse (references from employers) and, if you have it, your recognition notice (Anerkennungsbescheid).
2Questions that almost always come up
„Erzählen Sie etwas über sich.“Tell us about yourself.
They mean your professional path, not your private life. Two minutes are enough: where you come from professionally, what you did most recently and why you want this job.
„Warum möchten Sie bei uns arbeiten?“Why do you want to work for us?
Show that you have looked into the company. Name one or two concrete things from the job ad or the website and link them to your experience.
„Warum wollen Sie wechseln?“Why do you want to change jobs? Why did you leave your last job?
Stay calm and forward-looking. Do not speak badly of former employers. Good reasons: more responsibility, a different field, moving, the end of a project or contract.
„Was haben Sie zwischen 2022 und 2023 gemacht?“What did you do between 2022 and 2023? (gap in your CV)
Short and honest, without justifying yourself: moving to Germany, a language course, looking after children or relatives, the recognition process. If you learned something during that time, say so.
„Was sind Ihre Stärken und Schwächen?“What are your strengths and weaknesses?
For each strength, give a short example from work, not a list of qualities. As a weakness, name something real that does not make the job impossible and what you are doing about it, for example German on the phone and a course you are taking.
„Was sind Ihre Gehaltsvorstellungen?“What are your salary expectations?
In Germany people state the Bruttojahresgehalt: the yearly amount before tax. Give a number or a narrow range. The Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency and, where it applies, the collective agreement (for example TVöD in many hospitals) give you a guide.
„Wann können Sie anfangen?“When can you start?
Check the notice period (Kündigungsfrist) in your current contract beforehand. By law it is at least four weeks to the 15th or the end of the month, two weeks during probation. Your contract may say more.
Also expect questions about your German, your work permit and, in regulated professions, the status of your recognition. These questions are allowed. More: recognition of foreign qualifications (German).
3Questions you do not have to answer
Under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), questions that have nothing to do with the job and could lead to discrimination are not allowed:
You can politely avoid the question: „Das hat mit meiner Arbeit nichts zu tun, aber gern erzähle ich mehr über …“ (this has nothing to do with my work, but I am happy to tell you more about …). According to the Federal Labour Court, an untrue answer to an inadmissible question may not be held against you later.
4What you can ask yourself
At the end you will almost always hear „Haben Sie noch Fragen?“ (do you have any questions?). Two or three questions of your own show interest and help you decide whether the job suits you:
- Wie sieht die Einarbeitung in den ersten Wochen aus? — What does the induction look like in the first weeks?
- Wie ist das Team aufgebaut? — What is the team like, who will I work with most?
- Wie sieht ein typischer Arbeitstag aus? — What does a typical working day or shift look like?
- Gibt es einen Tarifvertrag, und wie werden Überstunden ausgeglichen? — Is there a collective agreement and how is overtime compensated?
- Unterstützen Sie bei Sprachkursen oder bei der Anerkennung? — Do you support language courses or recognition?
- Wie geht es nach dem Gespräch weiter? — What are the next steps and when will I hear from you?
5Costs, video interview, afterwards
Travel: If the employer invited you, they generally have to reimburse reasonable travel costs (§ 670 BGB), unless they clearly excluded this in advance. Keep your tickets.
Video interview: Test the technology 10 minutes before, camera at eye level, a calm background, CV and notes at hand. If the connection drops, send a short email.
Afterwards: A short thank-you email on the same or next day is not required but leaves a good impression. A reply often takes one to three weeks. If you hear nothing by the date mentioned, you can politely ask.
6Checklist for the day before
- Reread your CV: be able to say one sentence about every date and number
- Note one work example for two or three strengths
- Write down your salary figure: gross, per year
- Note two or three questions of your own
- Pack copies of your documents, check the route and time or the technology for the video call
A good CV is half the preparation.
cvfix asks about your tasks, scope and results. That is exactly what you will talk about in the interview.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a job interview in Germany take?
A first phone or video call usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, an interview with the manager 45 to 60 minutes. In care (Pflege) and the trades a trial day often follows.
Which questions are not allowed in a job interview in Germany?
Questions about pregnancy, family planning, religion, origin, sexual orientation, party or trade union membership and illnesses unrelated to the job. You do not have to answer them. Questions about your work permit, German skills and recognition are allowed.
How do I answer the salary question?
State a gross annual salary (Bruttojahresgehalt) as a number or narrow range. The Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency and, where it applies, the collective agreement give you a guide.
Who pays for travel to a job interview?
If the employer invited you, they generally have to reimburse reasonable travel costs (§ 670 BGB), unless they clearly excluded this in advance.
What can I ask at the end of the interview?
For example about the induction, the team, a typical working day, the collective agreement and overtime, support with language courses or recognition, and the next steps.
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