Danke OP

Nice read

Una just the make abroad hungry us

Inspiring

Germany is a nice country and the best transportation in EU hated the language abeg
Italian language rocks

Thanks for sharing. I never thought Germans are that nice. Can you share your experience as a black man in your community? Any racial hate?

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.

Can I have your email..to communicate something things I need to find out

I think I need to come out of this cave... I was happy am good in Igbo, Hausa and little Yoruba. Now I know it doesn't matter.


I need to learn better languages that will matter and take me places.

How did you cope with the Language?


I'm nearly going mad here honestly and they are too proud and sometimes pretend like they have no knowledge of English just so you can speak it, and they still kind of get upset when you speak it wrongly, too proud

Unlike Poland that are very helpful and are willing to smile at your nonsense way of speaking but still correct you

Thank God for fellow expats, at least it makes one less frustrated and you understand they are in your shoes

monkmike:
True talk. You’re always at an advantage when you can speak multiple languages. Also, since the official language here is German, more opportunities are available in German.

sehr guht Bruder

German is pretty easy to learn, it's very similar to English
Father - Vater
Mother - Mutter
Sister - Schwester
Man - Mann
Bear - Bär
English is like a rip off of German

KristaPretty:
How did you cope with the Language?


I'm nearly going mad here honestly and they are too proud and sometimes pretend like they have no knowledge of English just so you can speak it, and they still kind of get upset when you speak it wrongly, too proud

Unlike Poland that are very helpful and are willing to smile at your nonsense way of speaking but still correct you

Thank God for fellow expats, at least it makes one less frustrated and you understand they are in your shoes

it's easy to learn
Try Rosetta stone
German is very similar to English

Whoer kommst Du mein bruder?

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.

Do they offer M.Sc courses in any of the social science field most especially relating to sociology or anthropology

Transcriber:
it's easy to learn
Try Rosetta stone
German is very similar to English

Omo, not all o. Until you get to the Tenses and Cases aspect then na war

I started from A1, hence it was slightly easy but It is definitely not easy at all at all

NICE
Would like to come for a Masters in TUM, Munich but the language barrier has always been a bother for me. How easy was it for you to learn the language and how`s life in Munich or Berlin. I know they are both like Abuja and Lagos respectively.

I hope there are good paying jobs for Africans without discrimination

KristaPretty:


Omo, not all o. Until you get to the Tenses and Cases aspect then na war

I started from A1, hence it was slightly easy but It is definitely not easy at all at all

Well me I just learnt basic

I no dey go Germany, I dey my Naija kampe

Make una carry una cross. Sehr gut Schwester

Oh Germany!! My dream country.

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.

remain bless sir..and good luck to future opportunities

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.

I just jhave this natural flare for that nation called Germany, am hoping to study there through scholarship. Please I need enlightenment, thanks.

dierich:
I really love to study in Germany (Masters in Civil Engineering) but I heard the language is a barrier for people like me that doesn't learn language so fast
I remember during my service year in the east, spent close to a year and I hardly understand Igbo language. I can't even speak d most simplest word.
I wish I can learn German fast coz I'm really considering going there

You don't learn languages fast?

Do you realize that you are writing in English JUST because we were colonized by England?

And that you could have been writing in Portuguese if we were colonized by Portugal.

So you may be selling yourself short.

Am a native of Edo state single and searching,. Anylady in Nigeria or overseas can contact me,..I actually pluge in this to be properly fit on this topic,. Zero9zero3twosix5six3sixnine

Nice one. Best of luck dear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIrhFHDpKMY

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.

well written.

https://gist.am/question/as-a-nigerian-a-true-life-story-of-my-first-major-job-interview-in-germany

sammirano:
Whoer kommst Du mein bruder?

Woher

EnergyEnergy:
This best and most informative post have read this year. Good read

Summarize

I rather end up in canada than in germany...for me it's easier to learn french than other language...una wey dey japa dey try sha

AreaFada2:

Woher

es tut mir leid

Mine was a shocker....

i studies maths in school. Happy to scale through and get to real life.... only to meet a Dr. in Mathematics at the interview pannel and this was a marketing Job.

Nigga started asking me questions from my Project... Greenfield theory and shit... dang... well i got the Job after 7 months of waiting for another interview...

Nice one.

Good luck

Wotoporiously speaking

Legit intels

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