What they do for a living is one of the first things people share when they meet for the first time. It’s important to know the German vocabulary for jobs and occupations if you want to socialize with other German speakers.
You start by asking, “Was machen Sie beruflich?” or «Was sind Sie von Beruf?» This means «what do you do for a living?” or “What’s your job?»
This article will list common jobs divided by type, job search and interview vocabulary, the most common job interview questions and an HR expert’s recommended answers as well as other interesting job-related facts.
German Career-Related Vocabulary
Most English speakers have no qualms about asking people about their jobs. It’s a good way to introduce yourself and make small talk. Germans are not as likely to ask.
Of course, this doesn’t mean all Germans have a problem with being asked, but some of them might. Keep this in mind when you meet new people.
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Now, on to the specifics. All jobs have a feminine and a masculine form in German. Where the terms coincide, the gender is indicated by the article; der for the masculine and die for the feminine.
The plural form is often the same as the masculine singular. Usually, the feminine form ends in –in. Sometimes, the plural or feminine form will feature an umlaut.
Examples:
- der Gärtner (m) — gardener
- die Gärtner (pl) — gardeners
The feminine form is die Gärtnerin (f). The plural feminine form is die Gärtnerinnen (add -nen).
- der Lehrer (m) – teacher
- die Lehrer (pl) – teachers
- die Lehrerin (f), die Lehrerinnen
- der Designer — designer
- die Designer (pl) – designers
- die Designerin (f), die Designerinnen
That’s the pattern. What else is different when it comes to gender and occupation? Men and women’s salaries, of course. In Germany, the pay gap is 22 percent on average.
The biggest lack of parity is in the state of Baden-Württemberg, which has a 26.5 percent pay gap. At the other end of the spectrum is the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with a pay gap of 16.4 percent.
We mentioned adding umlauts earlier. For example: der Koch (m) – cook, die Köche (pl) – cooks, and die Köchin (f) – female cook. The rule is the same even where there are different words for the male and female in English.
Examples:
- der Schauspieler (m) – actor
- die Schauspieler (pl) – actors
- die Schauspielerin – actress
- die Schauspielerinnen – actresses
Here are some more professions in the artistic realm. While freelancers transcend boundaries, they are included in this category.
- Artist: Künstler, Künstlerin
- Writer: Schriftsteller, Schriftstellerin
- Author: Autor, Autorin
- Musician: Musiker, Musikerin
- Freelancer: der Freiberufler, die Freiberuflerin
- Ghostwriter: der Ghostwriter, die Ghostwriterin
Best-Paid Occupations in Germany
You’ve probably thought about working in Germany at least once. This is why I’ve decided to add a section about the most prestigious and highest-paying jobs in the country.
The section starts with dentists (Zahnarzt, Zahnärztin) and doctors (Arzt, Ärztin). The plurals are Zahnärzte and Ärzte. Market research company Statista recently carried out a study on 60,000 professionals with full time jobs to rank the best-paid ones.
Doctors and dentists are at the top of the list with an average annual salary of almost EUR 80,000. Health is of top priority, especially at times of a pandemic outbreak.
Der Anwalt
Next on the list are lawyers (der Rechtsanwalt or just Anwalt, die Anwältin), plural die Anwälte. Finding a good lawyer is a difficult task anyone with a legal issue will face.
A solid justice system makes a country seem fairer and better developed, and Germany is in the top 10 in the world when it comes to this. If you graduate law in Germany, you can expect to make as much EUR 74,013 a year.
Make no mistake – it is very hard to even be admitted into medicine and law programs in Germany. It is harder to complete a degree in medicine and law.
Der Architekt
Architects (der Architekt, die Architektin, (pl) Architekten) design the buildings and structures people work and live in. They plan the way space is used. A skilled architect can not only design a visually appealing building, but make sure it is strong and stable.
Architects cooperate with other professions, such as engineers, to construct spaces that meet people’s occupational and residential needs. They make around EUR 56,000 a year in Germany.
Der Ingenieur
Engineers (der Ingenieur, die Ingenieurin) make even more – approx. EUR 70,000 annually. A standard degree in this field includes general knowledge from all aspects and branches of the profession, such as structural and industrial engineering.
Engineering degrees are scientific in nature, which is why they are pretty challenging to obtain.
Der Informatiker
Last but not least, there are computer scientists (der Informatiker, die Informatikerin). Their role has become critical with the advent of technology.
The mathematical models and algorithms they discover make it possible for everyone else to work and communicate digitally. Where would we be without them in times of world crisis, like COVID-19, with billions of people relying on IT to keep their jobs?
According to 2019 data, computer scientists earned an annual salary of EUR 68,241 on average, but this figure has likely gone up since.
N-Declination
There is a rather large group of masculine nouns in German that goes by the name of N-Deklination. The name comes from the fact that in all cases except the nominative, they get an -n or -en at the end. Many of these words are for jobs and occupations.
For example, we have der Angestellte -employee. It would be den Angestellten in the accusative case, dem Angestellten in the dative case, and des Angestellten in the genitive case. The word for female employee is the same, but with the article “die” — die Angestellte.
The same goes for der Vorgesetzte, which means “superior”, as in “boss”. It is den Vorgesetzten in the accusative, dem Vorgesetzten in dative, and des Vorgesetzten in genitive. The feminine (a female boss or superior) is die Vorgesetzte.
There is a change if we use the indefinite article ein. An employee is ein Angestellter (nominative) with the suffix -er. The logic behind it is that it shows the noun is masculine. Without the article, it would still be Angestellte like the feminine.
In the accusative, dative, and genitive cases, it would be einen Angestellten, einem Angestellten, and eines Angestellten.
The German word for self-employed, which is an occupation and a noun in German, is der Selbstständige/ein Selbstständiger. The feminine is die Selbstständige/eine Selbstständige.
Other nouns in this category include
der Dirigent (orchestra conductor, fem. die Dirigentin)
der Drogist (pharmacist, fem. die Drogistin)
der Pilot (fem. die Pilotin), der Fotograf (fem. die Fotografin)
der Dozent (associate professor, fem. die Dozentin)
der Polizist (police officer, fem. die Polizistin)
der Beamte (civil servant, die Beamtin)
der Journalist (die Journalistin)
der Präsident (die Präsidentin)
der Professor (die Professorin), and
der Student (die Studentin).
The same rules apply for all of the nouns in this category.
Other Exceptions
Like in English, the German words for businessman and businesswoman are different: Geschäftsmann and Geschäftsfrau. Unlike English, Kaufmann is a male merchant and Kauffrau a female one.
The word for nurse is Krankenschwester, from krank – sick and Schwester – sister. Although some men work as nurses in Germany, “Krankenbruder” isn’t a male nurse. It means “infirmarer“, an archaic word that’s become obsolete.
Worst-Paid Occupations in Germany
Germany has its share of badly paid jobs like every country. Among them are cashier (der Kassierer / die Kassiererin), hairdresser (der Friseur / die Friseurin), waiter (der Kellner / die Kellnerin), cook (see above), and receptionist (der Rezeptionist / in).
On average, these people make an average of EUR 26,572, EUR 23,202, EUR 23,619, EUR 27,195, and EUR 25,372 a year respectively.
This data was published by career portal Gehalt.de in its Gehaltsatlas (Salary Atlas), which offers insight into the impact of one’s region and industry on income.
Miscellaneous Job Words in German
Here is a list of vocabulary for the other common occupations, which weren’t included in the other sections:
| M | F | |
|---|---|---|
| farmer | Landwirt | Landwirtin |
| custodian | Hausmeister | Hausmeisterin |
| judge | Richter | Richterin |
| flight attendant | Flugbegleiter | Flugbegleiterin |
| mechanic | Automechaniker | Automechanikerin |
| librarian | Bibliothekar | Bibliothekarin |
| pensioner | Rentner | Rentnerin |
| carer | Krankenpfleger | Krankenpflegerin |
| priest | Priester | Priesterin |
| politician | Politiker | Politikerin |
| salesperson | Verkäufer | Verkäuferin |
| taxi driver | Taxifahrer | Taxifahrerin |
| secretary | Sekretär | Sekretärin |
| worker | Arbeiter | Arbeiterin |
| TV reporter | Fernsehreporter | Fernsehreporterin |
| translator | Übersetzer | Übersetzerin |
Note: In German, we don’t use articles before professions. In English, you’d say, “I’m a waiter.” In German, it’s Ich bin Kellner. Ich bin Übersetzerin — I’m a translator.
Useful Job and Occupation-Related German Vocabulary
Talking about work often involves asking certain specific questions and answering them. To help you understand what someone is asking and know how to respond, we’ve compiled a list of common inquiries and sample answers.
| Q: What do you do for a living? A: I have a small business. |
F: Was machen Sie beruflich? A: Ich besitze einen kleinen Betrieb. |
| Q: What’s your occupation? A: I’m in finance. A: I work at a bank. A: I work at a library. |
F: Was machen Sie beruflich? A: Ich bin in der Finanzbranche. A: Ich arbeite bei einer Bank. A: Ich arbeite bei einer Bibliothek. |
| Q: Where does he work? A: At Mercedes-Benz. |
F: Wo arbeitet er? A: Bei Mercedes-Benz. |
| Q: At which company does he work? A: He’s with DaimlerChrysler. |
F: Bei welcher Firma arbeitet er? A: Er ist bei DaimlerChrysler. |
| Q: Where does a nurse work? A: In a hospital. |
F: Wo arbeitet eine Krankenschwester? A: Im Krankenhaus. |
| Q: What does she do? A: She’s self-employed. |
F: Was ist sie von Beruf? A: Sie ist Selbständige. |
«Wo arbeitest du?» means «Where do you work?» You can say one of these things:
| at the office | im Büro |
| at home | zu Hause |
| in a hospital | in einem/im Krankenhaus/Spital |
| in a garage, auto repair shop | in einer/in der Autowerkstatt |
| at Deutsche Bank | bei der Deutschen Bank |
| with a big/small company | bei einer großen/kleinen Firma |
Applying for a Job
| English | Deutsch |
|---|---|
| An enterprise, a company, a firm | das Unternehmen, der Betrieb, die Firma |
| job application, application documents | die Bewerbung, Bewerbungsunterlagen |
| employment office, labor bureau | das Arbeitsamt |
| Employer, employee | der Arbeitgeber, der Arbeitnehmer |
| interview | das Vorstellungsgespräch |
| Resume, CV | der Lebenslauf |
| I’m applying for a position. | Ich bewerbe mich um eine Stelle. |
| To apply | Sich bewerben |
Common Interview Questions
Our final section includes the most common interview questions and suggestions from an HR expert (myself) on how to respond.
Erzählen Sie etwas über sich selbst. – Tell us something about yourself.
It shouldn’t be something that’s on your resume — on the off chance they’ve read it. And it has to be relevant to the job you’ve applied for.
This shouldn’t be hard because our resumes should never be more than three pages long. A lot of relevant projects and work experiences are left out.
Don’t talk about general things, like your hobbies. It’s nice that you enjoy walking in the park. Unfortunately, the interviewer won’t care.
Warum sollten wir Sie einstellen? – Why should we hire you?
Hint!
“I’m here and you’re hiring” isn’t the best answer. Play up your job-relevant strengths without bragging. Mention some positive personality traits, such as being hardworking and loyal.
Was ist Ihre größte Stärke/Schwäche? — What is your greatest strength/weakness?
Be honest in both cases.
Warum wollen Sie bei uns arbeiten? — Why do you want to work for us?
Again, honesty is the best policy. Mention good things you’ve heard about the company and how you see your role within it.
Wie gehen Sie mit Erfolg/Misserfolg um? — How do you handle success/failure?
Ideally, something along the lines of “accept it and move on.” You need to make it clear you’re able to learn from your mistakes.
Wie gut arbeiten Sie mit anderen zusammen? – How well do you work with others?
Notice the question will be “how well”, not “do you work well”. You must try to convince them you have people skills no matter what job you’re applying for. Give an example of good cooperation.
Können Sie unter Druck arbeiten? — Can you work under pressure?
Again, give an example of a time when you were able to work well under pressure, perhaps at a previous job.
Wie stellen Sie sich die Arbeit bei uns vor? – What do you imagine working for us would be like?
Describe how you imagine a typical day or week at the position you’re being interviewed for. Likewise if they say, “Beschreiben Sie einen typischen Arbeitstag / Arbeitswoche.”
Was sind Ihre Lohnvorstellungen? – What salary do you expect?
Again, honesty is the best policy. Ideally, give a range from – to. Don’t suggest a salary that’s lower than what you’d feel comfortable working for because you’ll probably get it.
Nehmen Sie sich Arbeit auch mit nach Hause? — Do you take work home with you?
This is a polite way to ask whether you’d be willing to work overtime without extra pay. If they’re offering a good salary, why not?
Best Cities to Work in
On that note, the highest-paying jobs are concentrated in Stuttgart. The city has a strong automobile and aerospace industry and its salaries are 125 percent of the national average. It’s followed by Munich, Dusseldorf, and Wiesbaden with 124.4, 117.7, and 115.6 percent respectively.
At the bottom of the list are Erfurt, Potsdam, and Schwerin with salary levels at around 78 percent of the national average.
The Best and Worst State to Work in
The best state to work in is Hesse with wages at 114 percent of the national average. The worst is Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with just under 76 percent. Generally, salaries in southern states are better than in northern and eastern ones.
Why Study in Germany?
German state universities are 100% free. This is a major advantage over countries like the U.K. and U.S., where education costs continue to rise. Of the 400 (give or take) universities in Germany, 150 offer English-language degree programs and courses.
The country draws international students like a magnet. English programs are an option if your German still isn’t on level B2 or C1.
Last but not least, it’s easy to get a job after you graduate from a German university. The country’s graduate unemployment is the lowest in Europe at 2.3%.
We hope this article has been helpful. Please leave your feedback in the comments section!
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Everyone, who wants to apply for a job, knows that careful preparation is required. This preparation becomes even more extensive when you apply for a position in a foreign country, with a different business culture. To help you face this challenge, we created the following guide containing everything you need for a successful job interview in Germany – from interesting tips to useful vocabulary and essential phrases.
Vorstellungsgespräch – 3 most important tips
Before you even get to the job interview make sure you dress properly. The first impression matters a lot in Germany, and a formal business outfit is usually expected. Of course, there are companies with a more modern and relaxed organizational culture, like startups or creative marketing agencies, where you can adapt your dress code accordingly. But, as a rule of thumb, it is always better to choose formal attire, which is a sign of respect and professionalism.
Most likely the recruiter will print out your CV and any other attached documents, and bring them to the interview. However, having your own set of copies at hand, just in case, gives an impression of being well prepared and organized – and this is exactly the impression you want to make on your German interviewer.
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The following fact, although very stereotypical, is also extremely true – Germans do expect you to arrive on time. When being invited to a job interview in person, aim to reach the location around 15 minutes in advance, which will give you a safety margin in case you struggled to find a parking spot, entered the wrong building, or found an “außer Betrieb” sign on the elevator door (you never know!).
Sometimes, unfortunately, no level of preparedness is going to be enough. Should you still be late, it is important to let your meeting partner know. Here’s an example phrase that you could use in that situation:
🇩🇪 Ich bitte um Verzeihung, aber ich werde mich um 10 Minuten verspäten, da auf meiner Bahnstrecke eine Baustelle ist.
🇬🇧 I’m very sorry, but I will be 10 minutes late, as there is a construction site on my railway line.
Arriving to the interview in Germany – do’s and don’ts
Making a good first impression is essential to the success of your interview. Below you will find a short roleplay that will give you an idea of what the first minutes of your meeting could look like.
Let’s assume that you are on time and enter the door to the reception area of your future company. The next step is that you introduce yourself to the reception staff and say who you have an appointment with.
🇩🇪 Guten Tag, mein Name ist Max Müller und ich habe heute ein Vorstellungsgespräch bei Frau Gruber.
🇬🇧 Hello, my name is Max Müller and I have an interview with Mrs Gruber today.
The receptionist will greet you and tell you:
🇩🇪 Guten Tag Herr Müller, herzlich willkommen bei uns, ich werde Frau Gruber benachrichtigen und sie wird in den nächsten Minuten zu Ihnen kommen. In der Zwischenzeit können Sie gerne hier Platz nehmen.
🇬🇧 Hello Mr Müller, welcome to our company. I will inform Mrs Gruber and she will come to you in the next few minutes. In the meantime, you are welcome to take a seat over there.
A few minutes pass, you hear approaching footsteps, and see a woman walking towards you. Mrs Gruber greets you and says:
🇩🇪 Guten Tag Herr Müller, es freut mich Sie persönlich zu treffen, ich hoffe Sie haben gut hergefunden und der starke Wind heute hat Ihnen nichts ausgemacht.
🇬🇧 Hello Mr Müller, I’m happy to meet you personally, I hope you did not have a hard time getting here and you didn’t mind the strong wind today.
Mrs Gruber shakes your hand as a greeting. In Germany, people tend to keep physical distance, especially in the business environment. Hugging, touching and kissing cheeks is reserved for close friends, and is an absolute no-go in business culture. Return a firm handshake, while keeping eye contact with the person to project self-confidence.
Next, the recruiter asks you:
🇩🇪 Hatten Sie schon Zeit die Stadt zu besichtigen?
🇬🇧 Did you already have time to visit the city?
Germans usually maintain factual discussions in their working life. Work discussions are to the point, and after a short small talk you can get down to business. Nevertheless, if you want to use small talk, focus on sports, travelling, weather, cooking, etc. Avoid politics, religion or other controversial topics. Avoiding small talk can sometimes cause Germans to be perceived as rude – it is not so. They simply prefer to jump at the important topics right away.
When meeting someone for the first time, always use formal language. Address your partner by using their surname with the title Frau (Ms/Mrs) or Herr (Mr) and the salutation “Sie”. Only when a person introduces her or himself with the forename, you can use it as a sign to switch to the informal salutation – “du”. However, remember, that this decision is never your call.
On the way to the meeting room, Mrs Gruber asks you whether you would like anything to drink:
🇩🇪 Möchten Sie etwas zu trinken? Wir haben Wasser, Tee, oder Kaffee.
🇬🇧 Would you like to drink something? We can offer you water, tea or coffee.
After getting your coffee, the official part of the interview is about to begin.
German job interviews are often started with the question:
🇩🇪 Was führt Sie zu uns? / Warum haben Sie sich bei uns beworben? / Wie sind Sie auf uns aufmerksam geworden?
🇬🇧 What brings you to us? / Why did you apply to us? / How did you hear about us?
Recruiters are interested in why you applied for the position and want to see that you’ve done your research about their company. Here’s a list of most typical German business interview questions, which you can use as a guideline:
| 🇩🇪 Erzählen Sie uns etwas über sich. | 🇬🇧 Tell us something about you. |
| 🇩🇪 Welche Kenntnisse bringen Sie für die ausgeschriebene Position mit? | 🇬🇧 What knowledge do you have for the advertised position? |
| 🇩🇪 Warum sind Sie der perfekte Kandidat für diesen Job? | 🇬🇧 Why are you the perfect candidate for this job? |
| 🇩🇪 Wodurch heben Sie sich von den anderen Bewerbern ab? | 🇬🇧 What makes you stand out from the other applicants? |
| 🇩🇪 Warum möchten Sie bei uns arbeiten? | 🇬🇧 Why do you want to work for us? |
| 🇩🇪 Was erwarten Sie sich von uns / vom Job? | 🇬🇧 What do you expect from us / from the job? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie organisieren Sie ihre Arbeit? | 🇬🇧 How do you organize your work? |
| 🇩🇪 Welche Eigenschaften sind für diese Position besonders wichtig? | 🇬🇧 Which qualities are particularly important for this position? |
| 🇩🇪 Was sind Ihre Stärken und Schwächen? | 🇬🇧 What are your strengths and weaknesses? |
| 🇩🇪 Sind Sie kritikfähig? | 🇬🇧 Are you capable of criticism? |
| 🇩🇪 Welche Position nehmen Sie in einem Team ein? | 🇬🇧 What is your position in a team? |
| 🇩🇪 Können Sie eine schwierige Situation aus Ihrer beruflichen Laufbahn beschreiben und wie Sie damit umgegangen sind? | 🇬🇧 Can you describe a difficult situation in your professional career and how you dealt with it? |
| 🇩🇪 Wo sehen Sie sich in 5 Jahren? | 🇬🇧 Where do you see yourself in 5 years? |
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To help you prepare your answers to the questions above, we listed out some example German phrases that are usually used in this context. When giving your response, always make sure to have good eye contact with your interviewer. This shows respect and confidence about your own skills.
| 🇩🇪 Ich interessiere mich für die Produkte, die Ihr Unternehmen herstellt. | 🇬🇧 I am interested in the products your company makes. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe Maschinenbau an der Universität in Oxford studiert. Ich habe mehrere Jahre Erfahrung als internationaler Projektmanager. | 🇬🇧 I studied mechanical engineering at Oxford University. I have several years of experience as an international project manager. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin zuverlässig, arbeite strukturiert und habe nachweisliche Kenntnisse im Bereich Projektmanagement. | 🇬🇧 I am reliable, work in a structured manner and have proven knowledge of project management. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe einige Jahre in China gearbeitet und kenne daher die Marktverhältnisse sehr gut. | 🇬🇧 I worked in China for a few years and therefore know the market conditions very well. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bringe die benötigten Fachkenntnisse mit und bin bereit zu reisen. | 🇬🇧 I have the necessary expertise and I am ready to travel. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich besitze großes Verhandlungsgeschick. | 🇬🇧 I have great negotiating skills. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin bereit mehr Verantwortung zu übernehmen. | 🇬🇧 I am ready to take on more responsibility. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin teamfähig | 🇬🇧 I’m a team player. |
| 🇩🇪 Meine beruflichen Ziele sind… | 🇬🇧 My professional goals are… |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe gute analytische Fähigkeiten und weiß, wie man vorausplant. | 🇬🇧 I have good analytical skills and know how to plan ahead. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin kommunikativ, aber höre meinem Gegenüber auch genau zu. | 🇬🇧 I am communicative, but I also listen carefully to my counterpart. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin offen für neue Ideen. | 🇬🇧 I am open to new ideas. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich kann unter Druck arbeiten. | 🇬🇧 I am able to work under pressure. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin bereit etwas Neues zu lernen. | 🇬🇧 I am open to acquiring new skills. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich besitze ein gutes analytisches Denkvermögen. | 🇬🇧 I have good analytical thinking skills. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin in der Lage mich durchzusetzen. | 🇬🇧 I am able to assert myself. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe eine Affinität zu Zahlen und arbeite mit einem hohen Maß an Genauigkeit. | 🇬🇧 I have an affinity to numbers and work with a high degree of accuracy. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin flexibel. | 🇬🇧 I am flexible. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin fähig aus komplexen Zusammenhängen die richtigen Schlüsse zu ziehen. | 🇬🇧 I am capable of managing complexities and drawing the right conclusions. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe Erfahrung in der Lösung von Problemen und der Entwicklung von Lösungen, die auf individuelle Anforderungen zugeschnitten sind. | 🇬🇧 I am experienced in solving problems and finding solutions tailored to individual requirements. |
| 🇩🇪 In der Arbeit mit Menschen zeige ich großes Einfühlungsvermögen und Engagement. | 🇬🇧 When working with people I show great empathy and dedication. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe ein zielorientiertes und unternehmerisches Denken. | 🇬🇧 I have a goal-oriented and entrepreneurial work approach. |
| 🇩🇪 Mein Fachwissen ist auf dem neuesten Stand. | 🇬🇧 My professional knowledge is up-to-date. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich möchte mich in Zukunft stärker auf … spezialisieren. | 🇬🇧 In the future I would like to further specialize in … |
| 🇩🇪 Durch diese Position hätte ich die Möglichkeit, … | 🇬🇧 This position offers me the possibility to … |
| 🇩🇪 Ich engagiere mich für meine Arbeit. | 🇬🇧 I am committed to my work. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin ein kreativer Mensch. | 🇬🇧 I am a creative person. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin in der Lage selbstständig zu arbeiten. | 🇬🇧 I am capable of working independently. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich arbeite gerne mit neuen Systemen und Anwendungen. | 🇬🇧 I am open to working with new systems and applications. |
| 🇩🇪 Was Probleme betrifft, so habe ich ein gutes Gespür für Urteilsvermögen und Sensibilität. | 🇬🇧 Concerning problems, I have a good sense of judgment and sensibility. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich arbeite gerne in Teams. | 🇬🇧 I like to work in teams. |
| 🇩🇪 Bei Problemen suche ich ein offenes Gespräch. | 🇬🇧 If I have any problems, I look for an open conversation. |
| 🇩🇪 In schwierigen Situationen behalte ich einen kühlen Kopf. | 🇬🇧 I keep a cool head in difficult situations. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich arbeite lieber alleine, aber stimme mich regelmäßig mit den Kolleginnen ab. | 🇬🇧 I prefer to work alone, but coordinate with my colleagues on a regular basis. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin auch bereit Aufgaben und Verantwortlichkeiten zu delegieren. | 🇬🇧 I am also ready to delegate tasks and responsibilities. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin manchmal etwas ungeduldig. | 🇬🇧 I’m a little impatient at times. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin ein Kontrollfreak. | 🇬🇧 I’m a control freak. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich bin es gewohnt gewissenhaft zu arbeiten | 🇬🇧 I am used to working in a conscientious way. |
| 🇩🇪 Ich scheue mich nicht davor Entscheidungen zu treffen. | 🇬🇧 I’m not afraid to make decisions. |
At the end of the interview, it is your time to pose questions. It is a good practice to have a couple of questions in mind, even if you already know the answers. This shows the recruiter that you are serious about the job, and really interested in becoming part of the company. Here are some examples of questions you could ask:
| 🇩🇪 Wie groß ist mein Team? | 🇬🇧 How big is my team? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie wird die Arbeit strukturiert? | 🇬🇧 How is the work structured? |
| 🇩🇪 Gibt es flexible Arbeitszeiten? | 🇬🇧 Are there flexible working hours? |
| 🇩🇪 Gibt es die Möglichkeit Home Office zu machen? | 🇬🇧 Is it possible to work from home? |
| 🇩🇪 Ich habe mir die Vertragsbedingungen angesehen und hätte folgende Anmerkungen. | 🇬🇧 I have looked at the terms of the contract and have the following comments. |
| 🇩🇪 Welche Aufgaben haben aus Ihrer Sicht höchste Priorität? | 🇬🇧 In your opinion, which tasks have the highest priority? |
| 🇩🇪 Gibt es ein Budget für Weiterbildungen? | 🇬🇧 Is there a budget for further training? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie werden Mitarbeiter bei Ihnen gefördert und entwickelt? | 🇬🇧 How are employees promoted and developed in your company? |
| 🇩🇪 Welche zusätzlichen Leistungen, neben dem Gehalt, bieten Sie Mitarbeitern an? | 🇬🇧 What additional benefits, in addition to salary, do you offer to your employees? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie würden Sie Ihre Unternehmenskultur beschreiben? | 🇬🇧 How would you describe your corporate culture? |
| 🇩🇪 Hat Ihr Unternehmen vor, in der nächsten Zeit zu expandieren? | 🇬🇧 Does your company plan to expand in the near future? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie sieht bei Ihnen die übliche Einarbeitungsphase aus? | 🇬🇧 What does the usual induction phase look like for you? |
| 🇩🇪 Muss man in dieser Position viel reisen? | 🇬🇧 Do you have to travel a lot in this position? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie würden Sie meinen typischen Arbeitstag beschreiben? | 🇬🇧 How would you describe my typical working day? |
| 🇩🇪 Wie erklären Sie den bisherigen Erfolg Ihres Unternehmens? | 🇬🇧 How do you explain the success of your company to date? |
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of the interview! Mrs Gruber shakes your hand goodbye, and tells you:
🇩🇪 Vielen Dank für das nette Gespräch. Wir werden uns nächste Woche bei Ihnen melden. Auf Wiedersehen.
🇬🇧 Thank you for the good conversation. We will be in touch next week. Goodbye.
Bonus: 50 most important Business German words for a job interview
To make you even better equipped for your interview, we prepared a comprehensive list of German vocabulary for the topic. Make sure to learn the following words to understand every question correctly, and to answer even the most difficult questions with ease.
| 🇬🇧 interview | 🇩🇪 Interview |
| 🇬🇧 experience | 🇩🇪 Erfahrung |
| 🇬🇧 bachelor’s degree | 🇩🇪 Bachelor-Abschluss |
| 🇬🇧 master’s degree | 🇩🇪 Master-Abschluss |
| 🇬🇧 field | 🇩🇪 Bereich |
| 🇬🇧 proficiency | 🇩🇪 Fachkenntnisse |
| 🇬🇧 professional | 🇩🇪 beruflich |
| 🇬🇧 CV | 🇩🇪 Lebenslauf |
| 🇬🇧 achievement | 🇩🇪 Leistung |
| 🇬🇧 to apply | 🇩🇪 sich zu bewerben |
| 🇬🇧 to be familiar | 🇩🇪 vertraut sein |
| 🇬🇧 further | 🇩🇪 weiter |
| 🇬🇧 to offer | 🇩🇪 anbieten |
| 🇬🇧 to match | 🇩🇪 anpassen |
| 🇬🇧 set of skills | 🇩🇪 Fähigkeiten |
| 🇬🇧 weakness | 🇩🇪 Schwäche |
| 🇬🇧 confidence | 🇩🇪 Vertrauen |
| 🇬🇧 strength | 🇩🇪 Stärke |
| 🇬🇧 teamwork | 🇩🇪 Teamarbeit |
| 🇬🇧 lack | 🇩🇪 Mangel |
| 🇬🇧 mistake | 🇩🇪 Fehler |
| 🇬🇧 suitable | 🇩🇪 geeignet |
| 🇬🇧 to describe | 🇩🇪 beschreiben |
| 🇬🇧 simultaneously | 🇩🇪 gleichzeitig |
| 🇬🇧 to give up | 🇩🇪 aufgeben |
| 🇬🇧 against all odds | 🇩🇪 trotz aller Schwierigkeiten |
| 🇬🇧 to encounter | 🇩🇪 begegnen |
| 🇬🇧 to gather | 🇩🇪 sammeln |
| 🇬🇧 decision | 🇩🇪 Entscheidung |
| 🇬🇧 failure | 🇩🇪 Scheitern |
| 🇬🇧 opportunity | 🇩🇪 Gelegenheit |
| 🇬🇧 job posting | 🇩🇪 Stellenausschreibung |
| 🇬🇧 career | 🇩🇪 Karriere |
| 🇬🇧 to quit | 🇩🇪 aufgeben |
| 🇬🇧 to move | 🇩🇪 umziehen |
| 🇬🇧 to repeat | 🇩🇪 zu wiederholen |
| 🇬🇧 process improvement | 🇩🇪 Prozessverbesserung |
| 🇬🇧 senior manager | 🇩🇪 Senior Manager |
| 🇬🇧 long-term | 🇩🇪 langfristig |
| 🇬🇧 to be ready | 🇩🇪 bereit sein |
| 🇬🇧 to relocate | 🇩🇪 umzuziehen |
| 🇬🇧 notice period | 🇩🇪 Kündigungsfrist |
| 🇬🇧 to share | 🇩🇪 teilen |
| 🇬🇧 step | 🇩🇪 Schritt |
| 🇬🇧 probation period | 🇩🇪 Bewährungszeit |
| 🇬🇧 salary expectation | 🇩🇪 Gehaltsvorstellung |
| 🇬🇧 before tax | 🇩🇪 vor Steuern |
| 🇬🇧 employer | 🇩🇪 Arbeitgeber |
| 🇬🇧 permanent | 🇩🇪 Festanstellung |
Learning Business German? Try our course!
Our Business German Audiocourse covers 20 essential business topics, among others – job interview. The course covers over 1,000 most important phrases that will allow you to communicate with ease in any business situation. Thanks to our immersion-based method, you will be able to memorize the material quickly and without effort. Speaking Business German will never be a challenge again!
Best way to learn
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We wish you all the best for your job interview. We are sure you’ll do just great! Viel Erfolg!
For further tips, check out this Job Hunting Guide from Welcome Hub Germany.
Die Krankenschwester untersucht den Schüler im Krankenzimmer der Schule.
The nurse at the school infirmary is examining the student.
police officer in uniform
Teilzeit-Büroangestellter
Bauer auf einem Bauernhof
Die Hausfrauen kaufen im Supermarkt ein.
The housewives are shopping at the supermarket.
Unsere Tochter ist eine Universitätsprofessorin und unser Sohn ist Geschäftsmann.
Our daughter is a university professor, and our son is a businessman.
Different scenarios are always a useful way to learn new German vocabulary. Here is a post to help you with simple vocabulary that you can use in the workplace.
The Basics
die Arbeit the work
das Büro the office
der Beruf the profession
der Lebenslauf the curriculum vitae (have a look at this post here if you want to know more specifically about a German CV)
der Arbeitgeber/die Arbeitgeberin the employer (masculine/feminine)
der Arbeitnehmer/die Arbeitnehmerin the employee (masculine/feminine)
der Chef/die Chefin the boss (masculine/feminine)
die Probestunde the trial hour
die Pause the break
die Vollzeitstelle the full time position
die Teilzeitstelle the part time position
der Arbeitsplatz the workplace
die Gleitzeit flexible working hours (for example: Gleitzeit zwischen 9 – 10 Uhr, meaning you can start work between 9 and 10am)
Home-Office working from home (a bit of Denglish for you!)
die Abmahnung the warning
das Aufgabengebiet the area of responsibility
das Arbeitsamt the job centre
arbeitslos unemployed
das Praktikum the internship
die Bewerbung the application
das Bewerbungsgespräch the interview
der Urlaub the holiday
der Urlaubsanspruch the holiday entitlement
die Überstunden the overtime
angestellt employed
selbstständig self employed
Photo by RonaldCandonga on Pixabay
Starting a New Job
das Eintrittsdatum the starting date
der Arbeitsvertrag the work contract
einen befristeten Vertrag a fixed term contract
einen unbefristeten Vertrag an unlimited contract
der Gehalt the salary
die Probezeit the probation period (which is usually six months in Germany)
die Einarbeitung the training/the onboarding
Ending a Job
die Kündigung the notice of termination
die Kündigungsfrist the notice period (usually either 1 or 3 months in Germany)
das Arbeitszeugnis the reference
das Abschiedsgeschenk the leaving present
die Abschiedsfeier the leaving party
On that note, I also wanted to say that this will be my last post at Transparent Language. I have been writing here for years and I have really enjoyed writing these posts and I hope that you could also learn something from them, here is a link to all the posts I have written over the years.
If you would like to keep in touch with what I am getting up to in Germany, feel free to follow me on my instagram here or my travel blog that you can find here. Thank you for reading my posts, taking part in my quizzes and also commenting with your thoughts and questions. I wish you all the best in your journey with learning German.
Vielen Dank
Auf Wiedersehen,
Larissa
Job application
in German:
Useful words and phrases
Imagine that you have just arrived in Vienna. You fall in love with Schnitzel, the Prater, and typical Viennese cafés. Your command of German is already pretty good and your German lessons help you in intensifying your knowledge. There is just one problem: the emptiness of your pocket. So, you are thinking of applying for a job in Vienna. We from INNES are happy to provide you with some words and phrases that will increase your chances of success!
First of all, you need to find an employment ad. You can easily find these on websites like Unijobs.at or talto.com. Those offer a wide variety of all kinds of jobs, many of which are most suitable for a student lifestyle. Another great way to find a job is to use LinkedIn. If you have an active profile there, you can connect with thousands of people and many possible employers. In some ways, it’s way more sophisticated than other job platforms as it is both a platform and a social network, that spreads over more than 200 countries and it has become quite common for Austrian companies and entrepreneurs to have a LinkedIn profile of their own. If you invest some time in updating your profile on a regular basis, there is a good chance, that you will be found by your future employer instead of having to look for him. If you are looking for some further ideas on how to get the most out of LinkedIn, be sure to check out these tips.
If you have a certain company in mind, don’t forget to check their own website. In case they haven’t got any job vacancies at the moment, you can send them an “Initiativbewerbung” (unsolicited application). They will tell you that they have received your application and keep it in mind in case a suitable position comes up. Of course, you don’t want to wait for so long, which means that you keep looking, and – eventually – the perfect ad pops up.
Employment ads in German are very similar to those in other languages. A short pitch on the company, a description of what you have to bring with you (experience, education…), and what they offer (salary and such). You can find a list of useful vocabulary at the bottom of this text, be sure to check it out! There are two main documents an employer wants to receive when you apply for a job: a “Lebenslauf” (Curriculum vitae) and a “Bewerbungsschreiben” (letter of application). We will have a look at both of them shortly. Some might also want to see an “Arbeitszeugnis” (employer’s reference) or even a “Leumundszeugnis” (character reference), although this is quite unlikely. They usually trust you to have – as it is called in English – good character, which would be an “einwandfreier Leumund.” Now that we have established that, let’s have a look at the two must-haves when you apply for any job in Vienna.
Just one more hint, before we start: If you still feel a little insecure after this article about how to apply, you might want to consider taking part in one of our INNES Classes. A professional German teacher will help you in improving your language skills and create a convincing C.V. During the classes, there will even be training for job interviews in German. Do you need more information? Let us know!
Curriculum Vitae – Lebenslauf
As in English, the C.V. is supposed to be short and more of a list of biographical facts rather than full sentences. Start with your name, birthdate and -place, contact information and address at the top of the page and list your education. Nowadays it is expected to list your education chronologically, starting from your highest education and going down all the way to secondary school. If you are proud of your marks, you can add them in brackets. Your work experience is the next thing you should mention and also any occasional advanced training on the job.
Depending on the job you are applying for, you should also add the languages you speak, useful skills (like driving license, computer skills) and even some hobbies. When you give information on your command of any language, it will be way more convincing to add a certificate of a language course you completed. For example, if you have already completed one of our German Courses, you will have a certificate of your command of the German language. Since INNES is an institute that is widely known within companies situated in Vienna, you will most certainly have an advantage when applying. Concerning hobbies, it would be most advisable to name things like sports, reading or playing an instrument. We really recommend not to add hobbies such as smoking and getting wasted on weekdays. One last thing about the C.V.: Add a professional picture of yours. Imagine the employer’s part: He’s receiving dozens of applications a day and he will remember you better, when you add a picture. There you go, it’s as simple as that. Now let’s move on to the hard part.
Letter of application – Bewerbungsschreiben
Starting off
Let’s face it: Writing a letter in a foreign language is one of the most difficult challenges you will have to accomplish. Even worse: In a letter of application, you have to write a well-structured and convincing text about yourself to your future boss. Don’t get nervous now. We from INNES are happy to help you with preparing for any job application. Have you checked out our flexible German LIVE Online Courses? If you book an online class, you can give detailed information on what exactly you want to practice (your writing skills for example) as well as where you are standing in terms of your command of German. Just choose time and date according to your schedule and you can start improving your German while sitting on your couch! But for now, let us give you a few hints that will certainly help you.
In general, every application should be written accordingly to your work experience and the company you are trying to convince of your strengths. It doesn’t matter if you apply for a waiter’s job at a pizza restaurant or an open position at your university, the basics always remain the same. Without further ado, let’s begin. We will guide you through the whole letter now, from beginning to ending!
First things first: You need a title. Nothing fancy, simply write:
Bewerbung auf Ihre Anzeige „… “– Application for your job ad „… “ OR
Bewerbung als “…” – Application as “…”
Now it’s time for a salutation. If you have been learning German for a longer time, you are already familiar with various forms of address. Here is a reminder, which is valid for all forms of letters. There are formal and informal styles.
Informal:
Lieber Hans/ Liebe Julia, – Dear Hans/ Dear Julia, (mind the gender!)
Formal:
Sehr geehrter Herr/ Sehr geehrte Frau, – Dear Mr./ Dear Mrs./Ms.,
While you will notice no difference in English, German is once again a little more complicated. It is of crucial importance, that you use the formal style when applying for a job. If you do not know the name of the recipient (which you should) there is no equivalent to the English form “To whom it may concern”, you simply write:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, – Dear ladies and gentlemen,
In the first abstract you should refer to the source of your information. How do you know about the open position? There is one important rule here, that – if you keep it in mind – will separate you from the vast majority of applicants: After the salutation, the next letter needs to be lower case. Why? Because you already started the sentence with the salutation. Here is how it looks like:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
ich habe Ihre Anzeige auf der Website unijobs gelesen. – I have read your ad on the website unijobs.
Also, even if it’s obvious, you need to mention, that you are applying for the open position you mentioned in the title. Use simple sentences such as these:
Ich möchte mich um die ausgeschriebene Stelle bewerben. – I wish to apply for the advertised post.
Mit diesem Schreiben möchte ich mich bei Ihnen (für die Stelle ….) bewerben. – With this letter, I wish to apply (for the position of …).
If you cannot refer to an ad, it’s no problem at all.
Ich schreibe Ihnen, um mich zu erkundigen, ob es in Ihrem Unternehmen eine freie Stelle gibt. – I am writing to you to inquire if there is a vacancy in your company.
Ich möchte mich auf diesem Wege bei Ihrer Firma vorstellen. – I wish to introduce myself to your company.
Are you feeling self-confident? Then show it to your future boss and conclude your introduction with one of the following phrases:
Erlauben Sie mir, mich vorzustellen. – Allow me to introduce myself.
In den nächsten Absätzen werde ich Ihnen zeigen, warum ich der ideale Kandidat für die Position bin. – In the following paragraphs, I will show you, why I am the perfect candidate for the position.
You have caught your future employer’s attention – now what?
The next step on your way to your employment is to outline your personal assets. Remember, that the hard facts are already in the CV, so give some new information or elaborate on your experience or education. The difficult part is to write full sentences, that are somehow eloquent. You could talk about what you focused on in your studies or what exactly your area of responsibility was at your last job. Maybe even mention why you are no longer working at your last company. This text is highly individual, but you could drop some phrases like these:
Wie Sie in meinem angehängten Lebenslauf sehen können… – As you can see from the enclosed CV…
Da ich meine Kenntnisse erweitern möchte, suche ich nach Veränderung. – Since I wish to extend my knowledge, I am seeking a change.
In meinem Studium habe ich mich besonders mit … auseinandergesetzt. – During my studies I have focused on …
An meinem letzten Arbeitsplatz lernte ich … – At my last workplace I learned to …
The advantage of a letter of application in comparison to the C.V. is that you can write about your soft skills. Name some qualities which you think you’ll need at your new job. Here are some easy examples:
stressresistent – stress-resistant
kommunikativ – communicative
lösungsorientiert – solution-oriented
teamfähig – a team-player
selbstständig – independent (as in “working independently”)
Even though you might find it in some tutorials for job applications, we kindly warn you not to name skills, that can be seen as taken for granted. Being “pünktlich” (punctual) is expected and not something that makes you special. The same goes for words like motivated, interested, honest or trustworthy. All these skills go without saying.
Do not forget to do some flattery. Make them believe that you have chosen this company as carefully as this company should choose you. Name a few qualities the company is known for (even if it isn’t, make something up) or what you liked about the ad. Obviously, you will not comment on the salary, but perhaps they offer daycare, or you know someone, who is already working there. Maybe you even made an internship. It’s good to show them that you have put some thought into your application. Use phrases like these:
Ihre Weiterbildungsprogramme haben mich beeindruckt. – Your program for advanced training on the job really impressed me.
Ihre Firma ist bekannt für attraktive Arbeitszeiten. – Your company is well known for attractive working hours.
Natürlich möchte ich die Chance nutzen, beim Marktführer zu arbeiten. – It goes without saying that I want to work for the brand leader.
The main part shouldn’t be longer than two or three paragraphs, after all, you want your boss to read it himself. As it is with all letters, you cannot just stop writing when you have said everything that seems to be of importance. Use some phrases to let him or her know you are available and waiting for his/ her response.
Ich bin jederzeit verfügbar für ein Gespräch. – I am always available for an interview.
Ich freue mich, Sie persönlich kennen zu lernen. – I am looking forward to meet you in person.
Ich freue mich, von Ihnen zu hören. – I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Wenn Sie noch weitere Fragen haben, zögern Sie nicht, mich zu kontaktieren. – If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Important: Do not forget that this is still a letter. So, you need to use a way of ending your letter properly. As with the beginning, we have an informal and a formal way.
Informal:
Liebe Grüße – Greetings, OR even worse
Bussi – kisses
Formal:
Mit freundlichen Grüßen – Yours sincerely,
Mit besten Wünschen – With kindest regards
That would be all. Remember to stay polite, highlight your individual skills and why you are a suitable candidate for a certain position. If you are afraid that your command of the German language is not as high as that of a native German speaker, do not worry. Use it to dwell on your international experience and your immense language skills. With these phrases you are safe to impress your future employer. Remember that you can always work on your skills, for example for an authentic performance during a job interview in German, when you book one of our German Language Courses. That way, you will feel way more secure during your pursuit of your career. Now it is up to you to find your dream job and apply. Be courageous! We wish you good luck!
List of useful vocabulary
Anforderung, die – requirement
Arbeitserfahrung, die – work experience
Arbeitsplatz, der – work place
Arbeitszeugnis, das – employer’s reference
Ausbildung, die – education
Bewerbung, die – Application
Bewerbungsgespräch, das – job interview
Computerkenntnisse/ EDV-Kenntnisse, die (always plural) – computer literacy
Flexible Arbeitszeit, die – flexible working hours
Führerschein, der – driving licence
Gehalt, das – salary
Lebenslauf, der – Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
Leumundszeugnis, das – character reference
Motivationsschreiben, das – Letter of application
Praktikum, das – internship
Selbstständig/ freiberuflich – freelance
Stelle, die – position
Teilzeit (usally without article) – part time
Weiterbildung, die – advanced training
Weiterbildungsprogramm, das – program for advanced training
Thomas Hinterhofer
Stellenbörse
This is where your job hunt may begin, a space – usually online – where companies and employers can advertise their current openings.
Stellenbörse translates as “job exchange”, and is also known as a Jobbörse or a Stellenmarkt.
From independent websites to exchanges attached to the major newspapers, there are dozens of Stellenbörsen out there. The best one, of course, is The Local’s very own, which gives you a brilliant overview of all the best English language jobs going in Germany.
READ ALSO: Why between now and Christmas is the best time to look for a job in Germany
Vollzeit/Teilzeit
One of these two words is likely to be on most of the job postings you look at. Teilzeit means part-time, while Vollzeit…well, you can probably work it out.
Fachkräfte
Fachkräfte are always in demand, and many companies will post opportunities for Facharbeiter. This means that they are after a specialist.
A Fachkraft is somebody who is highly qualified in a specific field, so if you are looking to learn on the job, these positions are probably not for you.
Azubi (Auszubildende/r)
One of our favourite German words, an Azubi is a trainee or an apprentice, and an Ausbildung, in job market terms, is a traineeship.
Unlike an intern or Praktikant, an Azubi is usually somebody who is doing a formal education with a view to entering a specific occupation.
Fest Angestellte and freie Mitarbeiter
A Stelle is a position or job, and someone who is angestellt is employed. A common turn of phrase is to differentiate between a fest angestellte Person, who is a salaried employer, and a freier Mitarbeiter, who is someone doing freelance work.
Lebenslauf
Once you’ve trawled through the Stellenbörse and picked out a job which suits you, there are certain things that you will need for any application. One of them is your Lebenslauf.
Your Lebenslauf is your CV – in fact, it’s an almost direct translation of the Latin phrase curriculum vitae. Your qualifications, language and IT skills, experience and references should all be in there. CVs are also often dated and signed in Germany.
Under German anti-discrimination law (AGG), you are allowed but not obliged to include such things as your religion, gender, date of birth, nationality and photo.
READ MORE: Six things you should know about creating a cover letter and résumé
Bewerbungsbrief
Another key thing to include in any application is your Bewerbungsbrief, or cover letter.
As in the English speaking world, this should be no more than a page of writing, describing your motivation and suitability for the job.
Striking the balance between formality and flair can be difficult in German. If in doubt, the tried and tested “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” are always safe bets, but depending on the job you are applying for, you might want to spice it up a bit by sending your Grüße either “nach Hamburg” or “aus Berlin”.
Arbeitszeugnis
Along with your Lebenslauf and Bewerbungsbrief, most employers will want a reference or two, so make sure you include an Arbeitszeugnis.
Just as they are elsewhere in the world, these should be written by a former employer or someone similar. You would normally attach them to your CV.
Vorstellungsgespräch
If your written application is enough to impress your potential employer, you will be invited to a Vorstellungsgespräch.
Though it sounds nicer in German (the literal translation is “introductory conversation”), this is a job interview, plain and simple.
As with the CV, the law forbids interviewers from asking you questions about your private life, sexual orientation, marital status and religion. There should also be at least two people interviewing you.
Probezeit
Congratulations! You’ve impressed with your Lebenslauf and Bewerbungsgespräch, got through the Vorstellungsgespräch, and now you have been offered an Anstellung!
In most employment contracts, you will at first be put on a probation period or Probezeit. During this time, your employer is technically allowed to dismiss you with just two weeks notice. Under German employment law, the period should last no longer than six months.
SEE ALSO: 10 golden rules to know if you lose your job in Germany
German for Beginners: Occupations (Beruf)
Job and Career Conversation in German
Friendly conversation.
Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
Updated on January 30, 2019
Discussing your profession in German requires a new list of vocabulary. Whether your job is as an architect, a doctor, a taxi driver, or if you’re still a student, there are many occupational words to learn in German.
You can begin with the simple question, «Was sind Sie von Beruf?» This means, «What’s your occupation?» There’s so much more to learn and this lesson will give you plenty of new study words and phrases pertaining to your career.
A Cultural Note on Asking About Other’s Work
It’s very common for English-speakers to ask a new acquaintance about their profession. It’s small talk and a nice way to introduce yourself. However, Germans are less likely to do this.
While some Germans may not mind, others may consider it an invasion of their personal sphere. This is something you’ll just have to play by ear as you meet new people, but it’s always good to keep in mind.
A Note About German Grammar
When you say «I’m a student» or «he’s an architect» in German, you normally leave out the «a» or «an». You will say instead «ich bin Student(in)» or «er ist Architekt» (no «ein» or «eine«).
Only if an adjective is added do you use the «ein/eine.» For instance, «er ist ein guter Student» (he is a good student) and «sie ist eine neue Architektin» (she is a new architect).
Common Professions (Berufe)
In the following chart, you will find a list of common occupations. It’s important to note that all professions in German have both a feminine and a masculine form.
We have listed the feminine form only in cases when it is not simply the standard -in ending (as in der Arzt and die Ärztin) or when there is also a difference in English (as in waiter and waitress). You will find the feminine for jobs that are more likely to be feminine (such as a nurse or secretary) and in cases when the German feminine form is very common (as in student).
| English | Deutsch |
| architect | der Architekt |
| auto mechanic | der Automechaniker |
| baker | der Bäcker |
| bank teller | der Bankangestellte, die Bankangestellte |
| bricklayer, stone mason | der Maurer |
| broker stock broker real estate agent/broker |
der Makler der Börsenmakler der Immobilienmakler |
| bus driver | der Busfahrer |
| computer programer | der Programmierer, die Programmiererin |
| cook, chef | der Koch, der Chefkoch die Köchin, die Chefköchin |
| doctor, physician | der Arzt, die Ärztin |
| employee, white-collar worker | der Angestellte, die Angestellte |
| employee, blue-collar worker | der Arbeiter, die Arbeiterin |
| IT worker | Angestellte/Angestellter in der Informatik |
| joiner, cabinetmaker | der Tischler |
| journalist | der Journalist |
| musician | der Musiker |
| nurse | der Krankenpfleger, die Krankenschwester |
| photographer | der Fotograf, die Fotografin |
| secretary | der Sekretär, die Sekretärin |
| student, pupil (K-12)* | der Schüler, die Schülerin |
| student (college, univ.)* | der Student, die Studentin |
| taxi driver | der Taxifahrer |
| teacher | der Lehrer, die Lehrerin |
| truck/lorry driver | der Lkw-Fahrer der Fernfahrer/Brummifahrer |
| waiter — waitress | der Kellner — die Kellnerin |
| worker, laborer | der Arbeiter |
*Note that German makes a distinction between a school student/pupil and a college-level student.
Questions and Answers (Fragen und Antworten)
Having a conversation about work often involves a number of questions and answers. Studying these common job-related inquiries is a good way to ensure you understand what’s being asked and know how to respond.
| Q: What’s your occupation? Q: What do you do for a living? A: I’m a… |
F: Was sind Sie von Beruf? F: Was machen Sie beruflich? A: Ich bin… |
| Q: What’s your occupation? A: I’m in insurance. A: I work at a bank. A: I work at a bookstore. |
F: Was machen Sie beruflich? A: Ich bin in der Versicherungbranche. A: Ich arbeite bei einer Bank. A: Ich arbeite bei einer Buchhandlung. |
| Q: What does he/she do for a living? A: He/She runs a small business. |
F: Was macht er/sie beruflich? A: Er/Sie führt einen kleinen Betrieb. |
| Q: What does an auto mechanic do? A: He repairs cars. |
F: Was macht ein Automechaniker? A: Er repariert Autos. |
| Q: Where do you work? A: At McDonald’s. |
F: Wo arbeiten Sie? A: Bei McDonald’s. |
| Q: Where does a nurse work? A: In a hospital. |
F: Wo arbeitet eine Krankenschwester? A: Im Krankenhaus/im Spital. |
| Q: At which company does he work? A: He’s with DaimlerChrysler. |
F: Bei welcher Firma arbeitet er? A: Er ist bei DaimlerChrysler. |
Where Do You Work?
The question, «Wo arbeiten Sie?» means «Where do you work?» Your reply may be one of the following.
| at Deutsche Bank | bei der Deutschen Bank |
| at home | zu Hause |
| at McDonald’s | bei McDonald’s |
| at the office | im Büro |
| in a garage, auto repair shop | in einer/in der Autowerkstatt |
| in a hospital | in einem/im Krankenhaus/Spital |
| with a big/small company | bei einem großen/kleinen Unternehmen |
Applying for a Position
«Applying for a position» in German is the phrase «sich um eine Stelle bewerben.» You will find the following words helpful in that particular process.
| English | Deutsch |
| company, firm | die Firma |
| employer | der Arbeitgeber |
| employment office | das Arbeitsamt (Web link) |
| interview | das Interview |
| job application | die Bewerbung |
| I’m applying for a job. | Ich bewerbe mich um eine Stelle/einen Job. |
| resume, CV | der Lebenslauf |