Job interview in Germany: how it works and what they ask

The short answer: arrive about 10 minutes early, use “Sie”, prepare one short example for each main requirement in the job ad, and have two or three questions of your own ready. This guide covers the whole interview: how it runs, phone and video calls, the STAR method, the common questions with an answer structure for each, questions you don’t have to answer, what to ask back, second rounds and trial days, and a checklist for the day before and the day itself. If the interview is one step in a longer search, our guide on how to find a job in Germany shows the full path.

Key takeaways

• Punctuality matters. The standard is to arrive 10 minutes before the start.
• German interviewers want proof. Back every strength with a concrete example, for instance with the STAR method.
• Phone and video interviews follow the same structure as interviews on site. Test your technology beforehand.
• Questions about pregnancy, family planning or religion are usually not allowed under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). You don’t have to answer them.
• Never say you have no questions. Ask two or three prepared questions about the role and the team.
• International applicants are often asked about their German level and why they want to work in Germany. Name your level with the CEFR scale, for example “B2” (Make it in Germany).

How a German job interview runs

Length, number of interviewers and style vary a lot from company to company, and some interviews include a practical exercise (Kassel). Some employers run an assessment centre, where you work on tasks together with other applicants (Siegen).

A few things are common in Germany (Siegen):

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That last point matters if your German is still growing. Check how much German the job ad asks for before the interview, and prepare your introduction and two or three key answers in German too.

The usual order

Most interviews follow a similar order. A Bundesagentur für Arbeit checklist describes these phases (BA Hochschulteam Karlsruhe-Rastatt, Sep 2021):

1. Greeting and small talk, often about the weather, your journey or the building
2. The company presents itself
3. Your reasons for applying
4. Your education and career, told in reverse date order and linked to the job
5. Your skills and fit for the role
6. Your personal background, answered with a link to the job
7. Information about the workplace and the conditions
8. Your questions
9. The close: ask by when, how and from whom you will hear back

Ruhr University Bochum adds a useful detail on the greeting. Since the pandemic, some companies have moved away from the handshake, so follow the lead of the first person you meet. It is also fine to ask for a glass of water (RUB workbook, Feb 2025).

Phone and video interviews

Many first rounds now happen by phone or video. Treat them as seriously as an interview on site, because the structure and the questions can be the same (University of Siegen, 1 Jun 2021).

Phone interviews

The Bundesagentur für Arbeit recommends a few simple steps (BA Team 190, version 2025):

• Dress properly anyway. Your clothes affect your inner attitude.
• Avoid noise and interruptions, such as other phones, children or pets.
• Charge your phone and test the reception beforehand.
• Have a notepad and pen, your application documents and CV, and a glass of water at hand.
• Sit at a tidy desk.

Video interviews

For video, the same BA guide adds (BA Team 190):

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The University of Cologne adds that you should finish all software updates, check your camera settings (background and framing), keep your laptop plugged in and have your documents in front of you. One difference: there is no small talk on the way in, so you start “cold” the moment you log in. Since body language is harder to read on screen, clear communication matters even more (University of Cologne, 01/2025).

If you are an international applicant

Make it in Germany, the federal government’s portal for international professionals, describes the usual set-up. You often meet a manager from the department and someone from HR. They will most likely ask about your CV, your expectations for the job and the salary, and your skills and interests. They may also check how well you speak German or English, or give you a practical task. Some ask why you want to work in Germany (Make it in Germany, retrieved 1 Nov 2026). deutschland.de gives the same warning: if you come from another country, expect questions about why you want to work in Germany and how good your German is (deutschland.de, 18 Oct 2022, retrieved 1 Nov 2026).

So prepare three things that German applicants often don’t need: a clear statement of your German level, a short answer to “Why Germany?”, and a German version of your key answers.

Small differences that matter

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State your German level with the CEFR

German employers describe language skills with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2. Make it in Germany recommends using these levels for the language section of your CV, for example “English: C1” (Make it in Germany). Use the same levels in the interview. The Council of Europe describes the levels that matter most for jobs like this (Council of Europe, CEFR global scale, retrieved 1 Nov 2026):

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Say your level in one sentence, and say what you are doing to improve it. Don’t round up. The interviewer may switch to German to check (Siegen).

EN: My German is at B1 level. I can follow meetings on familiar topics and write short emails, and I am taking a course to reach B2 by [month]. I'm happy to continue in German for a few minutes if you like.

DE: Mein Deutsch ist auf B1-Niveau. Ich kann Besprechungen zu bekannten Themen folgen und kurze E-Mails schreiben. Bis [Monat] möchte ich B2 erreichen und besuche dafür einen Kurs.

If you want a certificate, the Goethe-Institut offers the Goethe-Test PRO: German for Professionals. It is a digital, adaptive test of reading and listening that takes about 60 to 90 minutes. The result shows your level from A1 to C2, you cannot fail it, and you get a digital certificate right after the test (Goethe-Institut, retrieved 1 Nov 2026). Exam dates depend on the Goethe-Institut location, so check with the one near you.

Free help to prepare

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Before the interview

Research the employer

Start with the company’s website, then read recent news about the company and its industry (Kassel). Pick the details that matter for your role instead of repeating facts from the homepage (LMU Jobline). The BA suggests further sources, such as the company’s press office, the chambers of commerce (IHK) and trade journals (BA Team 190).

Prepare examples

Kassel’s career service suggests a simple pattern: “In situation X, I faced problem Y and did Z to solve it.” Prepare one example for each main requirement in the job ad. The STAR method below gives that pattern a fixed order.

Prepare your questions

Have several ready, in case one is answered during the interview (Kassel).

Know your salary range

Pay varies a lot between federal states and professions, so research a fair range for your job and region first (Siegen). The salary calculator Germany shows what a figure means in net pay.

Read the standard questions, but don’t learn answers by heart

The point is to know the type of question, not to recite a script (Kassel). Practise out loud, in short and clear sentences, in front of a mirror or with a friend (BA Hochschulteam Karlsruhe-Rastatt).

The STAR method: how to give examples

STAR is a structure for answers that need an example. It stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result (Viadrina, Aug 2024):

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The shares in the right column are our advice, not a rule. Ruhr University Bochum recommends STAR for the few questions where you really want to make an impression, and says that not every answer needs the same structure. Speak freely and stay true to your own style (RUB workbook, Feb 2025).

STAR fits behaviour questions, the type that starts with “Describe a time when…” or “Have you ever dealt with…”. RUB lists examples such as “Have you ever dealt with an overly upset customer? How did you handle the situation?” and “Can you tell us about a time when you resolved a conflict?” (RUB workbook).

A worked example

Alex, the shop and every detail here are made up. Use your own real cases. Notice that the action part is the longest and that Alex talks about “I”, not “we”. The interviewers want to know what you did.

Situation: In my role as [job title] at [type of company], [what was going on, one or two sentences].
Task: I was responsible for [your task or goal].
Action: First I [step 1]. Then I [step 2]. Finally I [step 3].
Result: As a result, [outcome, with a number if you have one]. What I learned: [one sentence].

Write three to five of these before the interview, one for each main requirement in the job ad. Then say them out loud until they sound natural, not memorised. You can practise them in the Mock Interview Trainer, which is part of the Joblumi Pass.

Questions to expect

Some of the advice below comes from LMU Jobline, LMU’s guide for applying to English-speaking employers. It fits interviews held in English.

The questions fall into four groups (Siegen):

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Many interviews end with “Do you have any questions for us?” (Munich Business School).

14 common questions and how to structure your answer

The German wording helps if the interviewer switches language. The answer structures sum up the advice in the linked sources. Where a source only lists the question, the structure is our advice.

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Sources for the table: BA Team 190, BA Karlsruhe-Rastatt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Siegen handout, RUB workbook and LMU Jobline.

The sections below go deeper into the questions that cause the most trouble.

“Tell me about yourself”

Link your background to the job: what you do now, what you did before that is relevant, and why this job is the next step (LMU Jobline). Structure, length and three full examples are in our guide Tell me about yourself: answers for Germany.

“What are your strengths?”

Name the strengths that fit the position and back each one with an example (LMU Jobline).

“What are your weaknesses?”

Name a real weakness you have worked on, and say what you did about it. Avoid one that would be a serious problem in this job (LMU Jobline).

“What was the most frustrating part of your last job?”

This tests whether you criticise former employers or colleagues. Don’t. Describe the situation, what you did, the result and what you learned (LMU Jobline). That is the STAR order again.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Talk about plans that relate to this job. The employer will invest time in training you and wants to know you intend to stay (LMU Jobline).

“What are your salary expectations?”

Research the usual salary for your job, level and region beforehand, and back your figure with what you bring (Kassel). How to research it and what to say in English and German is in our guide Salary expectations in Germany.

“Why do you want to work in Germany?”

International applicants often get this question (Make it in Germany, deutschland.de). The interviewer wants to know whether you plan to stay and build your career here. Answer with your work and your plans, not with your private life. Two or three sentences are enough.

EN: I have lived in [city] for [two years], and I want to build my career here. The [industry] sector in this region is strong, and your company works on exactly the kind of projects I want to do. I'm also improving my German step by step, so I can work more and more in German.

DE: Ich lebe seit [zwei Jahren] in [Stadt] und möchte meine berufliche Zukunft hier aufbauen. Die [Branche] ist in der Region stark, und Ihr Unternehmen arbeitet genau an den Projekten, die mich interessieren. Mein Deutsch verbessere ich Schritt für Schritt.

General rule

Never answer with just “yes” or “no”. Keep answers short, relevant to the job and backed by a recent example (LMU Jobline).

Questions you don’t have to answer

German law protects applicants from discrimination. The General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) aims to prevent discrimination because of race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual identity (AGG § 1). The act counts applicants as employees (AGG § 6), and employees must not be put at a disadvantage on these grounds (AGG § 7, all retrieved 31 Oct 2026).

In practice, career services list these topics as off limits in most interviews (RUB workbook, Goethe University Frankfurt):

• Pregnancy, plans to have children, children
• Marital status, your partner or your partner’s job
• Health and sickness
• Religion, political opinions, party membership
• Ethnic origin (questions about your language skills are allowed)
• Sexual orientation and gender identity
• Your financial situation

There are exceptions. RUB gives the example of health questions for a very physical job (RUB workbook).

These questions still come up. In a survey for the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes), 976 people who had at least one job interview in the past five years were asked by phone in late 2017. 15% said they had been asked about their religion, 8% about whether they wanted children, and 6% of the women whether they were pregnant. The agency states that applicants who get such questions need not answer them, and that on pregnancy they may even answer untruthfully (Antidiskriminierungsstelle, 5 Dec 2018).

How to react in a neutral way

Goethe University Frankfurt suggests asking in a friendly way how the question relates to the job. If the questions continue, say politely but firmly that you find them too personal and will not answer them (Frankfurt, Nov 2022). Two calm sentences you can use:

I'm not sure how this question relates to the job. Could you explain what you would like to know?

I'd prefer to keep my private life out of this conversation. I'm happy to tell you more about [relevant experience or skill] instead.

Questions to ask the interviewer

Have at least one question ready (Munich Business School). RUB goes further: ask two or three well prepared questions. If you have none, it is likely to look like a lack of interest. Good questions are ones you can’t answer with a web search, that weren’t already answered in the interview, and that focus on the position (RUB workbook).

Good ones are about the work itself. Copy the list, delete what was already answered and keep two or three:

Is this a new role, or are you replacing someone?
What would my main tasks be?
Will I work in a team, and can I meet some of the team?
How are the first few months in the role planned (onboarding)?
What does a typical working day look like in this team?
Who would be my direct manager?
How do you give feedback during the probation period (Probezeit)?
Which language does the team use in meetings and emails?
When do you expect to decide?

The questions on the probation period and on the team language are our suggestions. Both matter if you are new to German workplaces. The first three and the last question come from Siegen and LMU Jobline. Onboarding and the typical working day are suggested by the BA Hochschulteam Karlsruhe-Rastatt and RUB, the direct manager by Goethe University Frankfurt.

Don’t ask too much about holidays and pay, and avoid direct questions about pay rises and promotions (Siegen, Munich Business School). RUB adds that you can ask about career development, but make clear you are not planning to move on quickly (RUB workbook).

Second interview and trial day

Second round

Some employers invite you more than once. At the end of the first interview they may ask about your availability for further interviews (RUB workbook). Some interviews also include extra stages: a practical task linked to the job, psychometric or personality tests, or a full assessment centre lasting half a day or longer. If the time slot looks long, for example more than two hours, ask the organisers for the agenda. If you could not finish a task, be honest about what you did manage and say you are willing to learn (RUB workbook). For group exercises and tests, see our guide to the assessment centre in Germany.

Trial day (Probearbeit)

Some employers ask you to work for a day on trial. The trade union IG Metall writes that a trial day should not last longer than one day, that such a trial is usually unpaid, and that you should never agree to work for several weeks without pay. The Federal Social Court (Bundessozialgericht) ruled on 20 Aug 2019 (B 2 U 1/18 R) that an unpaid trial day can be covered by statutory accident insurance (IG Metall, 26 Aug 2019). Ask before the day what you will do, how long it lasts and whether it is paid.

After the interview

Before you leave, ask where the company is in the hiring process and what the next steps are. Ask whether you can follow up if you haven’t heard back by a certain date (LMU Jobline).

LMU’s interview guide also recommends a short thank-you note to the interviewer within 24 hours (LMU Jobline). If you send one, keep it to a few lines. Templates in English and German are in our guide Thank you email after an interview.

Checklist: the day before and the day of the interview

The day before

On the day

Sources for the checklist: University of Kassel, BA Team 190, BA Karlsruhe-Rastatt, Siegen handout, University of Cologne, RUB workbook, Siegen and LMU Jobline.

What German recruiters check Whether you can back your qualifications with concrete examples instead of general phrases, and what sets you apart from applicants with similar skills (University of Kassel). Whether you know the company and why you want to work there (University of Siegen).

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How Joblumi helps before the interview

Joblumi helps you get your documents ready: a German CV and cover letter for each job ad, and a language check that shows which German level the ad asks for. With the Pass you also get a board where you move the job to “Interview” once you are invited, and the Mock Interview Trainer to practise your answers out loud.

Questions people ask

Related

• Tell me about yourself: answers for GermanyHow to answer "Tell me about yourself" in a German job interview: what interviewers want, a simple structure, the right length and three full examples.Guide · 18 min read→
• Salary expectations in GermanyHow to state salary expectations in Germany: gross per year, range or figure, in the cover letter, form and interview. With official pay data and phrases.Guide · 19 min read→
• Thank you email after an interviewIs a thank you email after an interview usual in Germany? When to send it, who gets it, how formal to be, and five templates in English and German.Guide · 18 min read→
• Assessment centre in GermanyWhat an assessment centre in Germany is, who uses it, each exercise and what observers rate, an example day plan, online formats and how to prepare.Guide · 18 min read→
• Online assessment testPractise the online assessment tests employers in Germany send: numerical, verbal and logical tasks with a timer and worked solutions. Free, no sign-up.Tool→
• How to find a job in GermanyHow to get a job in Germany step by step: where to find jobs, German CV and cover letter, job ads, how long hiring takes, interviews, tests, offer.Guide · 21 min read→

Sources

• University of Kassel Career Service: Job Interview, retrieved 30 Oct 2026
• University of Siegen, FIT in Siegen blog: Job interview questions and answers in Germany, no author or date given, based on an article from iamexpat.de, retrieved 30 Oct 2026
• LMU Jobline: Questions to expect, Important issues, Ending and follow-up, retrieved 30 Oct 2026
• Munich Business School: 30 Interview Questions and Tips for Good Answers, 12 Oct 2022, retrieved 30 Oct 2026
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Integrationsberatung Team 190: Vorstellungsgespräche erfolgreich vorbereiten, version 2025, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Hochschulteam Karlsruhe-Rastatt: Checkliste für das Vorstellungsgespräch, Sep 2021, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• Ruhr University Bochum: Preparing and managing German job interviews (workbook), Feb 2025, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• European University Viadrina, Career Center: Preparing for a Job Interview, Aug 2024, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• Goethe University Frankfurt, International Career Service: The most frequently asked questions in a job interview, Nov 2022, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• University of Cologne, Career Service of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities: Guide für dein Vorstellungsgespräch, version 01/2025, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• University of Siegen, International Office (SieguVer): Job Interviews in Germany, 1 Jun 2021, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG): § 1, § 6, § 7, gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes: Press release on inappropriate questions in job interviews, 5 Dec 2018, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• IG Metall: Unfallversicherungsschutz gilt auch bei Arbeit auf Probe, 26 Aug 2019, retrieved 31 Oct 2026
• Make it in Germany: Applying for a Job, retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• deutschland.de: This is what awaits you in the job interview, 18 Oct 2022, retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• Council of Europe: Global scale, Table 1 (CEFR 3.3): Common Reference levels, retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• Goethe-Institut: Goethe-Test PRO: German for Professionals, retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband: vhs-Lernportal, Deutsch für den Beruf (info sheet), retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit: ZAV, About us, retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Agentur für Arbeit Wiesbaden: Berufsberatung im Erwerbsleben, retrieved 1 Nov 2026
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Jobsuche, retrieved 1 Nov 2026