Job interview in Germany: 12 common questions and how to answer them

Many of us are good workers but get nervous in interviews. The German style feels different: less small talk, more detail, and people expect you to know your own CV very well. The good news is that the questions repeat. If you prepare the answers below once, you can use them for years.

Before the interview: 4 things to do

1. Read the job ad again and mark three tasks. Think of one real example from your work for each.
2. Look up the company. What do they sell or do? Where are they? One sentence is enough — but say it.
3. Know your salary number. The Arbeitsagentur's free Entgeltatlas shows typical pay for many jobs. Our Brutto-Netto calculator shows what is left.
4. Bring your papers — CV, certificates, and translations into German or English. Make it in Germany advises planning enough time for translations.

12 questions that come almost every time

1. "Erzählen Sie etwas über sich." (Tell us about yourself.)

Keep it under two minutes. Say: what you do now, what you did before, and why this job fits. Not your whole life story. Example: "I work as a kitchen helper in Hamburg for two years. Before that I worked in my family's restaurant in Punjab. Now I want a full-time job where I can learn more and later do an Ausbildung."

2. "Warum wollen Sie bei uns arbeiten?"

Use the one sentence you found about the company. Then link it to you: "You deliver all over Hamburg and I know the city well and have a driving licence."

3. "Was sind Ihre Stärken?"

Name two strengths, not ten. Give proof for each: "I am reliable — in two years I was never late for a shift."

4. "Was sind Ihre Schwächen?"

Pick a real but small weakness and show what you do about it: "My German is still B1. I go to an evening course twice a week." That is honest, and it shows effort.

5. "Warum haben Sie eine Lücke im Lebenslauf?"

Gaps are normal for people who moved countries. Explain short and calm: visa waiting time, language course, family. Never invent jobs. Our CV page shows how to write gaps honestly.

6. "Wie gut ist Ihr Deutsch?"

Say your level and what you can do with it. The employer may test it by switching language. Do not say B2 if you are A2 — it shows in the first minute.

7. "Warum möchten Sie in Deutschland arbeiten?"

This is common for people from abroad. Talk about stability, training and a long-term plan — not only money.

8. "Wie gehen Sie mit Stress um?"

Give a real example: a busy Friday night, a missing colleague, a late delivery. Say what you did step by step.

9. "Können Sie im Schichtdienst / am Wochenende arbeiten?"

This question is allowed when the job needs it. Answer clearly. If you have limits (children, course), say them now — not after you sign.

10. "Was sind Ihre Gehaltsvorstellungen?"

Give a range for brutto per month or per hour, based on your research. Never say "anything is fine". In 2027 the minimum wage is 14,60 € per hour, so nothing below that is legal anyway.

11. "Wann können Sie anfangen?"

Check your notice period first. If you are still in Probezeit at your old job, it is usually two weeks.

12. "Haben Sie noch Fragen?"

Always say yes. Good questions: "How does the first week look?", "Who will train me?", "How are shifts planned?" This shows real interest.

Questions they are not allowed to ask

German anti-discrimination law (AGG) forbids questions about things that have nothing to do with the work. These include:

• Pregnancy and plans to have children
• Religion (except for church employers)
• Ethnic origin
• Party or trade-union membership
• General questions about illnesses or disability
• Your private money situation

Questions about what the job really needs are allowed — for example, whether you can lift heavy boxes or work night shifts.

Travel costs and video interviews

If a company invites you to an interview, it usually has to pay your travel costs — unless it clearly wrote in the invitation that it will not pay. If you live far away or abroad, ask before you book. You can also ask if the interview can be done by video. For video calls: test the camera, sit in a quiet room, and look into the camera when you speak.

On the day

• Be on time — 10 minutes early is perfect. Switch off your phone.
• Dress one step better than the job. Clean and simple is enough for kitchen, warehouse or driving jobs.
• A firm handshake and eye contact are normal in Germany.
• At the end, say clearly that you want the job: "Ich würde mich sehr freuen, bei Ihnen anzufangen."
• Ask when you will hear from them. If nothing comes after that date, a short polite email is fine.

More on this site

Sources

• Make it in Germany: Bewerbung & Vorstellungsgespräch
• deutschland.de: Tipps zum Vorstellungsgespräch
• dpa/tmn via ihre-vorsorge.de: Fiese Frage im Bewerbungsgespräch (12 Oct 2026)
• Travel costs (§ 670 BGB): nexvyra.de
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit: Entgeltatlas

This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change — always check the official source linked above, or ask a free advice service like Faire Integration.