Job interview
Vorstellungsgespräch
- Performing a job interview
- Indirect object
This lesson prepares you for a German job interview with practical phrases like Vorstellungsgespräch (job interview), Berufserfahrung (work experience), and Gehaltsvorstellung (salary expectation), helping you express your skills and discuss next steps confidently.
Vocabulary (12) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Übung 1: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- Imagine you walk into the office for your job interview. What do you say? How do you introduce yourself politely? (Imagine you walk into the office for your job interview. What do you say? How do you introduce yourself politely?)
- What is important in a job interview? (What is important in a job interview?)
- What are the most important aspects of a job for you? (What are the most important aspects of a job for you?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Hallo, ich bin John Smith. Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. Ich bin hier für das Vorstellungsgespräch. Hello, I’m John Smith. Nice to meet you. I’m here for the interview. |
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Guten Tag. Ich bin Maria López. Ich habe um 10 Uhr ein Vorstellungsgespräch. Es ist mir eine Freude, hier zu sein. Good afternoon. I am Maria López. I have an interview at 10 o’clock. It’s a pleasure to be here. |
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Es ist wichtig, pünktlich zu einem Vorstellungsgespräch zu kommen. It’s important to be on time for a job interview. |
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Sie sollten Antworten vorbereiten und Fragen stellen. You should prepare answers and ask questions. |
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Der wichtigste Aspekt eines Jobs ist das Geld. Ich brauche ein gutes Gehalt, um meine Familie zu unterstützen. The most important aspect of a job is the money. I need a good salary to support my family. |
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Für mich ist es wichtig, dass die Menschen, die im Unternehmen arbeiten, nett sind. For me it is important that the people that are working in the company are nice. |
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Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Die Personalabteilung hat Sie zum Vorstellungsgespräch ________.
(The HR department invited you to the job interview ________.)2. Ich habe mich gut auf die Anforderungen ________.
(I have prepared well for the requirements ________.)3. Im Gespräch habe ich meine Stärken und Schwächen ________.
(In the conversation I explained my strengths and weaknesses ________.)4. Der Personalleiter hat mich gefragt, ob ich verfügbar ________.
(The personnel manager asked me if I am available ________.)Exercise 4: The Job Interview and the Invitation
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Haben - Haben
Perfekt
- ich habe
- du hast
- er/sie/es hat
- wir haben
- ihr habt
- sie/Sie haben
Sein - Sein
Präsens
- ich bin
- du bist
- er/sie/es ist
- wir sind
- ihr seid
- sie/Sie sind
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Lesson Overview: Job Interview (Vorstellungsgespräch)
This lesson focuses on the essential language and expressions needed for a job interview in German. It is designed for A2-level learners who want to build confidence in professional settings, including conducting and responding to interview questions, discussing salary expectations, and understanding next steps after an interview.
Key Topics Covered
- Conducting a Job Interview: Practice asking and answering common questions about professional experience, skills, and motivations, e.g., "Erzählen Sie mir von Ihrer Berufserfahrung" (Tell me about your work experience).
- Discussing Salary Expectations: Learn polite phrases to ask about salary and express your desired compensation, such as "Könnten Sie mir bitte Ihre Gehaltsvorstellung sagen?" (Could you please tell me your salary expectations?).
- Inquiring About Next Steps: Understand how to ask about the follow-up process after an interview, using expressions like "Wie geht es nach dem Gespräch weiter?" (What happens after the interview?).
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
- Vorstellungsgespräch – job interview
- Berufserfahrung – professional experience
- Kenntnisse – skills/knowledge
- Gehaltsvorstellung – salary expectation
- Zusatleistungen – additional benefits
- Rückmeldung – feedback or response
Grammar Highlights
The lesson includes practical verbs often used in the context of job applications, particularly in the perfect tense for past actions, such as haben eingeladen (have invited), haben vorbereitet (have prepared), and the present tense of sein (to be), e.g., ist. Understanding the perfect tense is important as it is frequently used to describe past experiences and actions relevant in interviews.
Cultural and Language Notes
In German, formal communication in job interviews uses polite and respectful phrases, which may differ slightly from casual English but serve the same purpose of professionalism and politeness.
For example, "Könnten Sie mir bitte Ihre Gehaltsvorstellung sagen?" corresponds to "Could you please tell me your salary expectation?" The use of the subjunctive form "könnten" expresses politeness, a nuance not directly mirrored in the English phrasing.
Additionally, German job interviews frequently include questions about both "Stärken und Schwächen" (strengths and weaknesses), encouraging self-reflection and honesty.
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