Das Vorstellungsgespräch
The final piece of the job-application arc started in Lessons 111-112: the interview itself. This pulls together self-introduction (Lesson 1), work vocabulary (Lesson 19), and opinions (Lesson 48) into one high-stakes conversation.
Erzählen Sie etwas über sich. (Tell me something about yourself. - the near-universal opener)
Ich heiße ... und ich arbeite als ... (reusing Lessons 1 & 19)
Quick check: what's the near-universal interview opener?
Warum möchten Sie bei uns arbeiten? (Why do you want to work with us? - möchten, Lesson 11)
Was sind Ihre Stärken? (What are your strengths?)
Wann könnten Sie anfangen? (When could you start? - könnten, a softened können, Lesson 65's register)
Quick check: "What are your strengths?" - Was sind Ihre ______?
Ending with a question of your own is standard and expected - it signals genuine interest:
Haben Sie noch Fragen an uns? (Do you have any questions for us? - what they'll ask you)
Wie sieht ein typischer Arbeitstag aus? (What does a typical workday look like?)
Quick check: is asking a question at the end of a German interview expected or unusual?
1. "Why do you want to work with us?" - ______ möchten Sie bei uns arbeiten?
2. "When could you start?" - Wann ______ Sie anfangen?
3. What should you prepare to ask at the end of the interview?
Cross-checked against interview-style Sprechen prompts used in the Goethe-Institut A1 practice materials.
Want to do a full mock interview? Ask your teaching agent to role-play it with you and give feedback.