Job Interview — Preparation, Process and Tips

Job Interview in Germany

The job interview (also called Vorstellungsgespräch or interview) is the most important step in the recruitment process. In Germany, the interview has a formal character — good preparation is essential.

Typical Process

Duration: Usually 45–90 minutes, longer for management positions.

Preparation

Research the Company

• Website — products, services, values, news
• Job description — what requirements are mentioned?
• Reviews on Kununu.de — read carefully, don't believe everything
• Commute — plan with a buffer, arriving 10 minutes early is ideal

Prepare Your Self-Presentation

The question "Tell me about yourself" appears in almost every interview. Prepare a 2–3-minute presentation:

1. Current situation — "I am currently working as … at …"
2. Career path — key positions (not everything!)
3. Relevant experience — what qualifies you for this role
4. Motivation — why you're applying

Tip: Practice your self-presentation out loud — in front of a mirror or with friends.

Typical Questions — and Good Answers

About You Personally

• "What are your strengths?" → name 2–3 strengths with concrete examples
• "What are your weaknesses?" → be honest, but with a solution: "I'm sometimes impatient, so I use checklists"
• "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" → realistic career goals that fit the company
• "Why do you want to change jobs?" → phrase positively (new challenge, development), never complain about your previous employer

About the Position

• "Why are you applying to us?" → specific reasons (not: "because you pay well")
• "What do you know about our company?" → show that you've done your research
• "How do you handle stress?" → concrete example from practice

Trick Questions

• "What would your colleagues say about you?" → honest, positive traits
• "Tell me about a failure" → situation, what you learned, how you did better
• "Why should we hire you?" → your unique selling points (USP)

Prohibited Questions

The employer cannot ask (§ 611a BGB, AGG):

• Pregnancy — "Are you pregnant?" / "Are you planning children?"
• Religion — "What is your religion?"
• Political views — "Which party do you vote for?"
• Union membership — "Are you a union member?"
• Health — "Do you have chronic illnesses?" (only allowed if relevant to the job)
• Marital status — "Are you married?" (often asked in practice, but you don't have to answer)

Your right: You can lie about prohibited questions — there are no legal consequences.

Dress Code

General Rules

• Better overdressed than underdressed — when in doubt, dress more formally
• Clean and well-groomed — hair, nails, shoes
• Discrete jewelry and perfume
• No sportswear, no sweatpants

Depending on Industry

Salary Negotiation

When Is Salary Discussed?

• Often only in the second interview or at the end of the first
• Sometimes the employer asks: "What are your salary expectations?"
• Research typical salaries in your industry beforehand (gehalt.de, kununu.de, glassdoor.de)

Tips

• Name a range — e.g., "I'm thinking of 42,000–48,000 € gross per year"
• Justify your request — "Based on my 3 years of experience and qualification X…"
• Don't set it too low — you can't increase it later
• Consider the whole package — vacation, home office, training, company car

Typical Entry-Level Salaries (gross/year)

After the Interview

Follow Up

• Thank you email — within 24 hours, brief and professional
• Be patient — the decision can take 1–4 weeks
• Follow up — if you haven't heard anything after 2 weeks, politely email to ask

If You Get an Offer

• Read the contract carefully — probation period, notice period, overtime rules
• Don't sign immediately — you can take the contract home and review it
• Agree on a start date

If You Get Rejected

• Don't take it personally — there are often many good candidates
• Ask for feedback — "What could I have done better?"
• Keep going — every interview is practice

Special Tips for Foreigners

1. Punctuality — In Germany this is extremely important. 5 minutes early is ideal.
2. Handshake — firm, brief, eye contact
3. Use "Sie" — use the formal "Sie" until the conversation partner offers "du"
4. Explain foreign qualifications — Not everyone knows your education system. Explain comparability.
5. Present language skills positively — "I speak 4 languages and am actively improving my German" is better than "Unfortunately my German isn't very good"
6. Cultural differences — Directness is valued in Germany. Clearly say what you can do and what you want.
7. Legal questions — Check whether your residence permit allows the planned work

As of: March 2026. All information without guarantee.