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My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) - Jobs/Vacancies (3) - Nairaland

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Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by AlphaT1(m): 3:51pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
That was me 4 years ago – after landing my first major job in Germany. And in no time I was travelling around Europe..... until the next opportunity came.... and then next, and the next....

I look fresh there, it was about a year after my postgraduate studies (M.Sc. Infection Biology, University of Lübeck). When I received the invite to the interview, I was super excited; positive, enthusiastic, confident……… and all optimistic feelings you can think about. I have had interviews before then, but they were all virtual, this was going to be the first physical interview.

You must have heard/read that you can work in Germany without the German language; that's true, so read on.

The job post was in English; Company’s website: in English; no option to even change it to German or other languages. My job application was sent in English; First feedback to the application sent in English; Invitation to interview was sent by the company in English! Wow! What more could I ask for? Although I could speak some German then, but having a job interview in English was way much better for me.

I could not ask for more – on top of the above, the offer was in Munich – one of the highest paying cities in Germany. Even if you will probably spend most of it on house rent and perhaps groceries, Munich is a beautiful city to leave in, so it’d all be good anyway.

I was so sure of getting the job and was already making accommodation plans. I prepared in the best ways possible – at least, I thought and rehearsed my speeches and possible answers to potential questions a million times. Since the interview would be in English (logically it should), I was confident in myself – actually, I was overconfident.

Anyways, just in case I had to talk to someone at the reception, I pocketed precisely enough German to get me across to the interview room (I thought to myself… lol ?). Well, things started changing slowly when I arrived a bit too early – 20 minutes before the time and was informed (by one of the interviewers, in German), to go and hang around for a while and come back just shortly before the interview time: Welcome to Germany – the land of precision! Being late is not accepted, coming too early praised is neither accepted.

I came back right in time as was asked to. To show good manners, I exchanged greetings with the interviewers (two of them) in German, hoping that’d be it (my pocketed German was already running out!!??). The first interviewer proceeded to introduce himself, and then the second, and then I did – all in German. And I thought to myself, ‘when will the real interview begin?’

The real interview continued as the first person started describing the company. I had to interrupt, to ask if the language of the interview is German: ‘Oh yes, it is. Didn’t you know that?’ He asked. I was like, ‘no! I did not expect it at all………’ I explained how every step so far in the application process was in English until now. The first tension in the meeting ensued – I was caught off guard and I started sweating in my nice suit! Lol, ? I laugh about it today, but not then.

To cut a long story short, we had some arguments on which language to interview in. Of course, they understood my points but wouldn’t accept it since it is a German company and most of the colleagues in the laboratory are native German speakers – there was hardly a chance that I would work in English. I should have thought about that earlier. In the end, we had a compromise – the interview was conducted in Denglisch! Heard that before?

That experience taught me that, you could never be over-prepared for anything. When you are taken by surprise and feel disappointed, let it be a lesson that’d propel you to the next level. I learned my lessons that day and sent all subsequent applications in German ONLY – thanks to the good friends that supported me then. If the communication turned out to be in English, that’s several pluses for me!

Amongst other things to learn, I sure did learn the following:

Be open to changes and if one way does not work, try another
You could never be too prepared – look deeper than the logical procedures
Prepare for the worst. If things go all Gucci, then you can call it luck!
Join an active study abroad community, ask questions and make meaningful contributions.
Keep expanding your network of professional friends, especially those abroad; you need them for their experience.

What experience have you had attending job interviews abroad?

Or do you have questions on how to prepare for a job interview abroad?

Share your thoughts/questions.
If you are not open to change in the abroad, especially as a newcomer, be prepared to soon join the gang of dis abroad sef no be am, it is not what people say it is blah blah because you de find big jobs, you be graduate.....na body go tell you soon.....you have to pay bills here, a lot of bills, and anything you can do legitimately to pay those bills is welcome. There's dignity in labour in the abroad... nobody belittles you for working hard to pay bills. Person wey carry naija mentality say him na graduate e no go fit do security or wash plate or do waiter, na OYO be your case. If you get a big job as a newcomer, great! But if you can't, start somewhere, things will definitely fall in place with time. I mean you will be alright in no time. It is an organized system that enables you to plan ahead, no be like naija wey you no fit plan. Dollar fit be N160/$ this year and N600/$ next year, import duty for an item fit be 10% this year and 70% next yr, sch fees fit be 40k this yr and 100k next yr. So disorganized. Very useless leaders behaving like morons and the majority of the masses supporting them.

6 Likes

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Wande22(m): 3:53pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
Which course would you like to study?

Germany offers a lot of opportunities for international students. So, you are definitely making the right decision.


oga translate this if you know say your german tight

sie sagen friede friede, doch wo ist friede?

P.s. I wan shake table small ni o

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by God1stson(m): 4:05pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
Sure, always happy to help.
Here is the group on Setlinn, where I can share some courses in tuition-free universities for you
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
My username is wohks
Pls I wouldn't mind if u can help me with PhD scholarship opportunities in mechanical engineering.nzejessu@gmail.com is my mail.

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by God1stson(m): 4:06pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
Sure, always happy to help.
Here is the group on Setlinn, where I can share some courses in tuition-free universities for you
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
My username is wohks
Pls I wouldn't mind if u can help me with PhD scholarship opportunities in mechanical engineering.chijiwiz@gmail.com is my mail.

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Louis8796: 4:15pm On Jul 07, 2022
i am interested,i we like to study Bachelor of computer science.
monkmike:
Which course would you like to study?

Germany offers a lot of opportunities for international students. So, you are definitely making the right decision.

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Emmanuel909090: 4:23pm On Jul 07, 2022
Nice, this is good.

Congratulations

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Ugochuks889(m): 4:33pm On Jul 07, 2022
optimusprime2:
Moral of the story, in Germany, "Talk the German Talk, do the German do's and walk the German walk"... if done correctly, you get the German job
please send me a hi text on WhatsApp 08106002746 I really need to talk to you based on Germany schools

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Dukeolumidemans(m): 4:42pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
Which course would you like to study?

Germany offers a lot of opportunities for international students. So, you are definitely making the right decision.


Bro am very happy for u. I want to do masters in health management or a direct management course. Can u point me to a good direction too?

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Abdulqareem: 4:44pm On Jul 07, 2022
good day fellow nairalander. pls i want u guys to assist me. I'm terribly broke. 0047795715 Ismaila Kareem. GT Bank.

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Psiyohos: 4:50pm On Jul 07, 2022
Dike my guy.
Who cares....

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by tobore4u(m): 5:14pm On Jul 07, 2022
tobore4u:
My first to comment this year.

If u believe delay is not denial abeg bless me with like bottom.

.
nairalanders una too much.

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by pedi(m): 5:25pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
That was me 4 years ago – after landing my first major job in Germany. And in no time I was travelling around Europe..... until the next opportunity came.... and then next, and the next....

I look fresh there, it was about a year after my postgraduate studies (M.Sc. Infection Biology, University of Lübeck). When I received the invite to the interview, I was super excited; positive, enthusiastic, confident……… and all optimistic feelings you can think about. I have had interviews before then, but they were all virtual, this was going to be the first physical interview.

You must have heard/read that you can work in Germany without the German language; that's true, so read on.

The job post was in English; Company’s website: in English; no option to even change it to German or other languages. My job application was sent in English; First feedback to the application sent in English; Invitation to interview was sent by the company in English! Wow! What more could I ask for? Although I could speak some German then, but having a job interview in English was way much better for me.

I could not ask for more – on top of the above, the offer was in Munich – one of the highest paying cities in Germany. Even if you will probably spend most of it on house rent and perhaps groceries, Munich is a beautiful city to leave in, so it’d all be good anyway.

I was so sure of getting the job and was already making accommodation plans. I prepared in the best ways possible – at least, I thought and rehearsed my speeches and possible answers to potential questions a million times. Since the interview would be in English (logically it should), I was confident in myself – actually, I was overconfident.

Anyways, just in case I had to talk to someone at the reception, I pocketed precisely enough German to get me across to the interview room (I thought to myself… lol ?). Well, things started changing slowly when I arrived a bit too early – 20 minutes before the time and was informed (by one of the interviewers, in German), to go and hang around for a while and come back just shortly before the interview time: Welcome to Germany – the land of precision! Being late is not accepted, coming too early praised is neither accepted.

I came back right in time as was asked to. To show good manners, I exchanged greetings with the interviewers (two of them) in German, hoping that’d be it (my pocketed German was already running out!!??). The first interviewer proceeded to introduce himself, and then the second, and then I did – all in German. And I thought to myself, ‘when will the real interview begin?’

The real interview continued as the first person started describing the company. I had to interrupt, to ask if the language of the interview is German: ‘Oh yes, it is. Didn’t you know that?’ He asked. I was like, ‘no! I did not expect it at all………’ I explained how every step so far in the application process was in English until now. The first tension in the meeting ensued – I was caught off guard and I started sweating in my nice suit! Lol, ? I laugh about it today, but not then.

To cut a long story short, we had some arguments on which language to interview in. Of course, they understood my points but wouldn’t accept it since it is a German company and most of the colleagues in the laboratory are native German speakers – there was hardly a chance that I would work in English. I should have thought about that earlier. In the end, we had a compromise – the interview was conducted in Denglisch! Heard that before?

That experience taught me that, you could never be over-prepared for anything. When you are taken by surprise and feel disappointed, let it be a lesson that’d propel you to the next level. I learned my lessons that day and sent all subsequent applications in German ONLY – thanks to the good friends that supported me then. If the communication turned out to be in English, that’s several pluses for me!

Amongst other things to learn, I sure did learn the following:

Be open to changes and if one way does not work, try another
You could never be too prepared – look deeper than the logical procedures
Prepare for the worst. If things go all Gucci, then you can call it luck!
Join an active study abroad community, ask questions and make meaningful contributions.
Keep expanding your network of professional friends, especially those abroad; you need them for their experience.

What experience have you had attending job interviews abroad?

Or do you have questions on how to prepare for a job interview abroad?

Share your thoughts/questions.
My guys,na E_money be This for stash crypto groups

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:35pm On Jul 07, 2022
Aidejay:
Beautiful, OP...! Thanks for this.
No problem. Glad it was helpful. I should share more of my experiences here.
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by HELLASJ(m): 5:35pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:

Sure, no worries.
Let’s connect in my group on SETLINN and take it up from there
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
Feel free to create an account and connect with me directly. My username is wohks.
Looking forward to seeing you on the other side.
I'll do that right the way! Thanks a million

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:36pm On Jul 07, 2022
pedi:

My guys,na E_money be This for stash crypto groups
Small world bro!
Nice to see you here.
I am more active now on setlinn.com
We can connect there. My username is wohks
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:37pm On Jul 07, 2022
Psiyohos:
Dike my guy.
Who cares....
STAC cares, 100%
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:43pm On Jul 07, 2022
Dukeolumidemans:


Bro am very happy for u. I want to do masters in health management or a direct management course. Can u point me to a good direction too?
Sure! Health Management is kinda related to what I studied here, Infection Biology.
I can help you with some course recommendations.
You can join my group on Setlinn and let’s connect
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:47pm On Jul 07, 2022
Ugochuks889:
please send me a hi text on WhatsApp 08106002746 I really need to talk to you based on Germany schools
I think it’d be best if we connected on Setlinn. I have a group that I manage there.
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:47pm On Jul 07, 2022
Emmanuel909090:
Nice, this is good.

Congratulations
Thanks! I appreciate it.
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 5:49pm On Jul 07, 2022
Louis8796:
i am interested,i we like to study Bachelor of computer science.
That’s easy. They are many of the courses available tuition free and in English language.
Do you have any experience applying to study abroad?
If you want, you can join my group on Setlinn where I guide new applicants. Here’s my group link
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Wpp1: 5:54pm On Jul 07, 2022
Really

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Maxpro121: 5:59pm On Jul 07, 2022
tobore4u:
My first to comment this year.

If u believe delay is not denial abeg bless me with like bottom.

.

I'm hoping to seat for IELTS in 2 to 3 months time. Pleas how relevant is OND over there? Althoug, I have B.Eng in Mechanical Eng., 2nd upper

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Emeraldfynest(m): 6:06pm On Jul 07, 2022
Welldone boss, thanks for this info. I'm trying to join the group now. Are there opportunities for an Agric Student in Germany? In terms of employment and relevance of the industry.
monkmike:

That’s easy. They are many of the courses available tuition free and in English language.
Do you have any experience applying to study abroad?
If you want, you can join my group on Setlinn where I guide new applicants. Here’s my group link
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Kenny242(m): 7:01pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:
Sure, always happy to help.
Here is the group on Setlinn, where I can share some courses in tuition-free universities for you
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
My username is wohks
Hello
Am in software field (data science)
What’s the job prospect there for the above field

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Bagu1(m): 7:25pm On Jul 07, 2022
You didn't hear God's call before venturing into the pastoral work?

End time grin transporter
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by pedi(m): 7:33pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:

Small world bro!
Nice to see you here.
I am more active now on setlinn.com
We can connect there. My username is wohks
Alright baba good to hear from you

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Louis8796: 8:12pm On Jul 07, 2022
I am interested in the applying for scholarship,This is My contact on watsapp (09015385091).
monkmike:
That was me 4 years ago – after landing my first major job in Germany. And in no time I was travelling around Europe..... until the next opportunity came.... and then next, and the next....

I look fresh there, it was about a year after my postgraduate studies (M.Sc. Infection Biology, University of Lübeck). When I received the invite to the interview, I was super excited; positive, enthusiastic, confident……… and all optimistic feelings you can think about. I have had interviews before then, but they were all virtual, this was going to be the first physical interview.

You must have heard/read that you can work in Germany without the German language; that's true, so read on.

The job post was in English; Company’s website: in English; no option to even change it to German or other languages. My job application was sent in English; First feedback to the application sent in English; Invitation to interview was sent by the company in English! Wow! What more could I ask for? Although I could speak some German then, but having a job interview in English was way much better for me.

I could not ask for more – on top of the above, the offer was in Munich – one of the highest paying cities in Germany. Even if you will probably spend most of it on house rent and perhaps groceries, Munich is a beautiful city to leave in, so it’d all be good anyway.

I was so sure of getting the job and was already making accommodation plans. I prepared in the best ways possible – at least, I thought and rehearsed my speeches and possible answers to potential questions a million times. Since the interview would be in English (logically it should), I was confident in myself – actually, I was overconfident.

Anyways, just in case I had to talk to someone at the reception, I pocketed precisely enough German to get me across to the interview room (I thought to myself… lol ?). Well, things started changing slowly when I arrived a bit too early – 20 minutes before the time and was informed (by one of the interviewers, in German), to go and hang around for a while and come back just shortly before the interview time: Welcome to Germany – the land of precision! Being late is not accepted, coming too early praised is neither accepted.

I came back right in time as was asked to. To show good manners, I exchanged greetings with the interviewers (two of them) in German, hoping that’d be it (my pocketed German was already running out!!??). The first interviewer proceeded to introduce himself, and then the second, and then I did – all in German. And I thought to myself, ‘when will the real interview begin?’

The real interview continued as the first person started describing the company. I had to interrupt, to ask if the language of the interview is German: ‘Oh yes, it is. Didn’t you know that?’ He asked. I was like, ‘no! I did not expect it at all………’ I explained how every step so far in the application process was in English until now. The first tension in the meeting ensued – I was caught off guard and I started sweating in my nice suit! Lol, ? I laugh about it today, but not then.

To cut a long story short, we had some arguments on which language to interview in. Of course, they understood my points but wouldn’t accept it since it is a German company and most of the colleagues in the laboratory are native German speakers – there was hardly a chance that I would work in English. I should have thought about that earlier. In the end, we had a compromise – the interview was conducted in Denglisch! Heard that before?

That experience taught me that, you could never be over-prepared for anything. When you are taken by surprise and feel disappointed, let it be a lesson that’d propel you to the next level. I learned my lessons that day and sent all subsequent applications in German ONLY – thanks to the good friends that supported me then. If the communication turned out to be in English, that’s several pluses for me!

Amongst other things to learn, I sure did learn the following:

Be open to changes and if one way does not work, try another
You could never be too prepared – look deeper than the logical procedures
Prepare for the worst. If things go all Gucci, then you can call it luck!
Join an active study abroad community, ask questions and make meaningful contributions.
Keep expanding your network of professional friends, especially those abroad; you need them for their experience.

What experience have you had attending job interviews abroad?

Or do you have questions on how to prepare for a job interview abroad?

Share your thoughts/questions.

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by Louis8796: 8:13pm On Jul 07, 2022
how can i comment in the group.
monkmike:
Sure, always happy to help.
Here is the group on Setlinn, where I can share some courses in tuition-free universities for you
https://setlinn.com/groups/da-lounge/
My username is wohks

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 8:24pm On Jul 07, 2022
God1stson:

Pls I wouldn't mind if u can help me with PhD scholarship opportunities in mechanical engineering.chijiwiz@gmail.com is my mail.
I think the best thing would be to connect via SETLINN. Scholarship opportunities, including for PhD, are shared daily here
https://setlinn.com/groups/scholarship-scooters-%f0%9f%9b%b4/
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 8:26pm On Jul 07, 2022
Louis8796:
how can i comment in the group.
Just post on the feed. That’s how I do it. You can also post on the homepage like s Normal Post. That should work too.
Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by monkmike(m): 8:30pm On Jul 07, 2022
Wande22:


oga translate this if you know say your german tight

sie sagen friede friede, doch wo ist friede?

P.s. I wan shake table small ni o
Lol smiley
They are saying, peace peace, still who is peace.

PS: I think the appropriate expression is:
Sie sagen Frieden Frieden, doch wo ist Frieden

1 Like

Re: My First Major Job Interview In Germany (true Life Story) by cosmos2000(m): 8:46pm On Jul 07, 2022
monkmike:

Just post on the feed. That’s how I do it. You can also post on the homepage like s Normal Post. That should work too.

Please create a WhatsApp Group.... I don't know how to use that seltlin site... Please??

1 Like

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