Job Interview at a German Company: How to Prepare and What to Say

An interview at a German company isn’t just a conversation about your experience. The employer usually assesses whether you understand the role, can explain your decisions using specific examples, have a realistic self-assessment, and are a good fit for the team. Good preparation helps you answer calmly, avoid generalities, and demonstrate that you truly understand the German job market.

What to Study Before the Interview

Start with the company, not with stock answers. Recruiters often ask why a candidate chose this particular employer, and a superficial answer stands out immediately.

Check this out:

how the company makes money and who its clients are;
what products, projects, or services the company is developing;
What values and communication style are evident on the company’s website and in the job postings;
What makes the department or team you’re applying to different?
Which requirements from the job posting are mentioned multiple times;
Which technologies, languages, certifications, or processes are listed as required.

It’s helpful to write down three reasons why you’re interested in the company and tie them to your experience. For example: don’t say, “You have an international environment,” but rather, “I have experience providing customer support in three languages, so I’m a good fit for a role that involves working with the DACH region and Eastern Europe.”

Prepare specific examples, not your entire resume

In interviews in Germany, structured, verifiable answers are valued. Instead of a long summary of your resume, prepare 5–7 short stories based on your experience:

a challenging task and how you solved it;
conflict or disagreement within the team;
a mistake you’ve corrected;
a project with measurable results;
a situation involving a client or an internal customer;
an example of self-directed learning;
a decision where you had to choose between deadlines, quality, and resources.

A useful structure for your answer is Situation, Task, Action, Result: the situation, the task, your actions, and the result. If the result is measurable, provide a specific number. If there’s no specific number, explain the impact: you sped up the process, reduced the number of errors, improved communication, or mitigated a risk.

How to Answer a Question About Your Weaknesses

The question about weaknesses still comes up, especially in first interviews. An employer isn’t looking for a perfect candidate; what matters to them is understanding how honestly you assess yourself and how well you can handle feedback.

A good answer consists of three parts:

Name a weakness that does not undermine a key requirement of the position;
Explain how you noticed it;
Explain what you’re already doing to improve.

For example: “In the past, I waited too long to ask for clarification on an unclear task. Now, at the start of a project, I document any open questions in writing and align expectations with the person in charge. This has reduced the number of reworks.”

Avoid mentioning weaknesses that directly contradict the role. For an accountant, “not detail-oriented” sounds risky; for a project manager, “I’m not good at planning”; and for a role involving German clients, “I don’t like to socialize.”

Interview language: German, English, or both

If the job posting is in German, part of the interview will almost certainly be conducted in German. Even if the working language is English, they may still test your German for everyday communication, dealing with clients, or internal processes. It’s best to ask the recruiter in advance what language the interview will be conducted in.

Prepare short responses in the appropriate language:

a 60–90-second introduction about yourself;
an explanation of your current role;
reasons for changing jobs;
your expectations for the new position;
examples of projects;
Questions for the employer.

If your language skills aren’t perfect, don’t apologize for every mistake. Speak more simply, but maintain a clear structure. You can ask for clarification, ask the interviewer to repeat the question, or rephrase it—this is better than giving an irrelevant answer.

German Specifics: Precision, Documentation, and Expectations

German companies often value punctuality, clear agreements, and a calm, professional tone. This doesn’t mean you have to be dry or emotionless. But it’s best to avoid exaggerations like “I’m an expert in everything” or “I’m ready for any job.” Specifics are more effective.

Before the meeting, check the following:

Do the dates match across your resume, LinkedIn/Xing, and cover letter?;
Can you explain any gaps in your career without making excuses?
Are you prepared to state your desired salary if the question comes up?
Do you understand the employment format, the probationary period, and the work location?
Do you know whether the interview will be online, in the office, or with multiple participants?

For an online interview, test your camera, audio, background, and internet connection. For an in-person interview, allow extra time for travel and check-in at the reception desk.

What questions might they ask?

The most common questions are:

Tell us briefly about yourself.
Why do you want to work for us?
Why are you leaving your current job?
How does your experience relate to this position?
Which project do you consider your most successful?
What do you do if you disagree with a colleague or manager?
How do you handle deadlines?
What are your salary expectations?
When can you start?
Do you have any questions for us?

For Ausbildung and Duales Studium, you may also be asked why you chose this particular profession, how you envision your studies and practical training, which school subjects or previous experiences are related to the field, and how you plan to manage the German language.

What to Ask the Employer at the End

At the end of the interview, you’re almost always given the opportunity to ask questions. This isn’t just a formality: your questions reveal how you think about the job.

Good questions:

What does a typical first week in this position look like?
What tasks will be the most important during the first 3 months?
How does the team measure success in this role?
Who will I be working with most often?
How does the feedback process work?
What are the next steps after the interview?

Don’t start by asking about vacation time, remote work, or bonuses unless you’ve already discussed the role’s responsibilities. These topics are important, but it’s best to bring them up at the right moment, once the employer’s initial interest in you has been confirmed.

Interview Rehearsal

Rehearsing isn’t about memorizing a script—it’s about building confidence. Record yourself on video or practice your answers with someone who can stop you and ask for more specifics. It’s especially helpful to practice:

a brief self-introduction;
project-related answers;
salary expectations;
switching between German and English;
Explaining complex points in your resume.

After practicing, check to make sure you don’t sound too vague. Phrases like “I’m outgoing,” “I’m a quick learner,” and “I handle stress well” need to be backed up with examples.

Common Mistakes Made by Candidates

More often than not, interviews are ruined not by a lack of ideal experience, but by poor preparation:

The candidate cannot explain what the company does;
Answers that simply repeat your resume but fail to demonstrate solutions and results;
Weaknesses that sound like a joke or pose a critical risk to the role;
The candidate interrupts the interviewer or gives overly long answers;
Salary expectations are stated without an understanding of the position’s level;
There are no follow-up questions;
There is no brief follow-up after the interview, if one is appropriate.

Checklist for the Day Before the Interview

Before the interview, make sure to:

the job posting and list of requirements;
5–7 examples from your experience;
a brief introduction about yourself;
Questions for the employer;
salary range and possible start date;
language of the interview;
a link to the online meeting or directions to the office;
Documents, if requested: resume, certificates, portfolio, and letters of recommendation.

The main goal of preparation isn’t to memorize perfect answers, but to come up with a clear line of reasoning: why this role is a good fit for you, what tasks you’re already capable of handling, and how you’ll be an asset to the employer.