What you may need to prepare
Before any interview or travel, most candidates need to work on a few specific things. Here is what they usually are.
There is no single answer for everyone
Direct employment
Assessed role by role. Some employers accept working English plus basic German; others need more.
Ausbildung
Generally targets B1, since vocational school and exams happen in German.
Technical roles
Often A2–B1 or higher, depending on safety and documentation requirements.
Driving roles
Enough operational German for instructions, paperwork and day-to-day communication.
Ausbildung generally requires noticeably stronger German than most direct-employment roles. If you are starting from zero, plan for several months of consistent study, not a few weeks.
What German employers actually ask
Interviews are usually conducted by video, often with a mix of English and basic German. Employers want to understand your hands-on experience, your reliability and whether you have a realistic understanding of the role and the move.
We run a practice session with you beforehand, based on the actual format the specific employer uses, not a generic script.
Formatting matters more than you'd expect
German employers expect a structured CV with clear dates, named employers and specific responsibilities. We help you restructure your CV into this format rather than asking you to write it from scratch.
What needs to be official, and when
- Educational and vocational certificates, eventually in certified translation
- Employment references confirming your role, duration and responsibilities
- Qualification recognition with the relevant German body, where your role requires it
- Passport and supporting identity documents
We tell you which documents need certified translation or formal recognition, and at which stage, so you don't pay for translations before they're actually needed.
Plan in months, not weeks
Most candidates underestimate language preparation time the most. A candidate targeting B1 from a beginner level should plan for several months of regular study, not a few weeks of cramming. We would rather give you a realistic timeline now than a fast one that falls apart later.
Your responsibilities in this stage
- Studying consistently toward your target language level
- Providing accurate, complete documents on request
- Attending scheduled calls and interviews on time
- Telling us early if your circumstances or availability change