Ausbildung Programme Germany

How to Prepare for a German Employer Interview for Ausbildung — A Step-by-Step Guide

Why the Interview Matters More Than Candidates Think

By the time you reach the employer interview, you have already done the hard part — learned German to B2, prepared your profile, and been invited to interview. The employer has already found your profile interesting enough to speak with you.

The interview differentiates candidates who are equally qualified on paper. German employers are practical — they want to know if you will show up reliably, engage actively with training, and communicate clearly for three years. Most candidates who are rejected at interview are rejected not because of their German level, but because of specific, avoidable preparation gaps.

German employers expect candidates to have done basic research before the interview. An employer who asks "What do you know about us?" and receives a blank stare will not offer a training contract.

• Read the employer's website thoroughly — sector, size, services, location
• Understand what their Ausbildung involves specifically — any specialisations relevant to your sector
• Prepare 2–3 specific things you found interesting that you can reference naturally
• Know the employer's location and have thought about practical arrangements

These questions are asked in virtually every German Ausbildung employer interview. Prepare and practise your answers — in German, out loud, until they flow naturally:

Question (German)	Question (English)	What They're Assessing
Erzählen Sie mir etwas über sich.	Tell me about yourself.	Communication clarity, German fluency
Warum möchten Sie eine Ausbildung als [sector] machen?	Why this sector?	Genuine motivation, sector knowledge
Warum möchten Sie bei uns Ihre Ausbildung machen?	Why specifically us?	Whether you researched the employer
Was wissen Sie über unser Unternehmen?	What do you know about us?	Research effort and preparation quality
Was sind Ihre Stärken / Schwächen?	Strengths and weaknesses?	Self-awareness, honesty
Wo sehen Sie sich in 5 Jahren?	Where in 5 years?	Long-term commitment in Germany
Warum haben Sie Deutsch gelernt?	Why did you learn German?	Commitment to Germany specifically
Haben Sie Fragen an uns?	Do you have any questions?	Engagement, curiosity, preparation

Always prepare 2–3 questions to ask the employer. "I have no questions" signals disengagement. Good questions: "Can you tell me more about the training structure in the first year?" or "What do the most successful Azubis in your organisation have in common?"

• If you do not understand a question, ask politely: "Entschuldigung, könnten Sie die Frage bitte wiederholen?" — this is entirely normal
• If unsure of a German word, describe it instead of going silent
• Do not switch to English — your B2 is sufficient. Switching signals your German is not functional, even if it is.
• Practise mock interviews with your JSJ counsellor in German before the real one

Send a brief thank-you email within 24 hours — in German. Keep it brief: thank them for their time, confirm your interest, and express that you look forward to hearing from them. Then wait. German employers typically communicate decisions within 1–3 weeks. One polite follow-up after two weeks is appropriate if you have not heard back — not multiple messages.

The Bottom Line

The German employer interview is the final door between you and your Ausbildungsvertrag. The candidates who walk through it are the most prepared — not necessarily the most confident or the most fluent. Research the employer. Know your answers. Practise in German. Present yourself professionally. Ask good questions. Follow up.