German Job Interview: Key Phrases and How to Answer Common Questions
A German job interview (Vorstellungsgespräch) follows a predictable structure: a greeting, a self-introduction, questions about your experience and motivation, and a discussion of salary and start date. Knowing the exact phrases interviewers use, and how to answer 'Erzählen Sie mir von sich', matters more than grammar perfection.
If you've only practiced German in a classroom, a real Vorstellungsgespräch can feel like a different language. Interviewers use set phrases, expect specific answer formats, and move through a structure that rarely changes from one company to the next.
This guide walks through that structure stage by stage: the phrases you'll hear, how to build an answer to the opening question every interview starts with, and the salary vocabulary that trips up even confident B1-B2 speakers.
What does a German job interview actually sound like?
Most German interviews move through the same five stages, and recognizing them in real time takes the guesswork out of what's coming next.
| Stage | German term | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Begrüßung | Small talk, offered water or coffee, seating |
| Self-introduction | Selbstvorstellung | You give a 2-3 minute summary of your background |
| Experience questions | Fragen zum Werdegang | Specific questions about past roles and decisions |
| Your questions | Fragen des Bewerbers | You ask about the role, team, or company |
| Salary and timing | Gehalt und Eintrittstermin | Salary expectations and earliest start date |
How do you answer 'Erzählen Sie mir von sich'?
"Erzählen Sie mir von sich" (tell me about yourself) opens almost every German interview, and German interviewers expect a tighter, more work-focused answer than the open-ended version common in English-speaking countries.
A reliable structure keeps the answer to under two minutes and covers four things in order:
- Current role and title: "Ich arbeite derzeit als..." (I currently work as...)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need C1 German to get a job in Germany?
It depends on the role. Many international teams hire at B2, especially in tech, and some English-first companies hire with A2-B1 German if your English and role-specific skills are strong. Customer-facing and public-sector roles usually expect C1.
What does 'Gehaltsvorstellung' mean and how do I answer it?
It means 'salary expectation.' Answer with a specific number or a narrow range based on the market rate for the role, stated as an annual gross (brutto) figure, not a vague range or a deflection.
Is it normal to be asked about weaknesses (Schwächen) in a German interview?
Yes, it's one of the most common questions. Name a real, minor weakness and describe one concrete step you're taking to address it, rather than disguising a strength as a weakness.
Should I send a Dankesschreiben (thank-you note) after a German interview?
It's appreciated but not required the way it often is in the US. A short, professional email within a day or two, thanking the interviewer and restating your interest, is the right length and tone.
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