Job interview at last!

Question……

I have managed to get an interview for a new job on Thursday (only my 3rd in 18 months of trying), one of the criteria for the job is “fließendes Englisch�, and as the job is in a part of Germany where the English speaking standard isn’t the best I hope I stand a good chance. I’ve got all the experience they need, but my German isn’t good, isn't good at all. I’m on a course learning, but I can barely hold a conversation. :$

Should I tell them this before the interview? I’m worried the interviewer is unable to speak any English, I’ll look like a twat, and waste both of our time………

i would not tell them before hand they probably would cancell the interview.
but a big plus point is that you are learning german, that would help
anyway good luck on Thursday, will keep my fingers crossed for you.

but then again you dont speak english either

OF COURSE NOT!!! Nein!! If the job DOES NOT mention German as a requirement, then why bring it up (and nor should they)?

Or you could merely just answer "Ja" to all questions and smile, of course!

Good luck!

good luck to you! they will probably be impressed if you can speak any german at all...I know my mob was when they interviewed me in london many, many moons ago... gerrin der la and show em!!!

I just wanted to wish you luck for your interview. I also agree with the others. If it is an English speaker they want and need then I think they will make allowances for your German. At least you are showing some initiative by learning German. Good luck.

how did you manage to get the interview? English CV? If so then you have a good chance, i'd say

From experience with my boyfriend: They just take it as a fact, that somebody speaks german, even if they don't mention it as a criteria though, PLUS fluent english. That does not mean that I think it's right of course.

Anyway good luck and let us know what they said *fingerscrossed*

Go to the meeting and start it off in English, don’t let them put you off. Command the situation. 90 % of the ex-pats here in Frankfurt can hardly order a beer in German! They want fluent English! Give it to them! If they cannot hack it, and are forced to speak to you in German you have one points, as the average German becomes embarrassed at his lack of English skill (shame the average Brit does not think this way). Keep your language clear and not too elaborate! It they mention that German was also a requirement tell them that you are currently learning (mention which course and where), they should look at this positively! Perhaps ask if they would also be willing to throw in a source or two themselves, or let you off for an afternoon per week to go and study!

The important thing is getting your foot into the door, interviews are the best way, even if you think you are under qualified, or do not have the right skills needed. Getting the interview usually changes things as most people are less likely to ignore you and your chances shoot up!

Thanks for all your replies!!

My CV was sent in German and English, but all my other correspondences have been in English.

Jena on Thursday it is then

Good luck, Richard! I think Gentelman's tip was the best - do the whole thing in English, as far as you can.

That will also mean you can really take charge of the interview!

Go for it! And let us know what happens...

Good luck Richard. Gentleman is talking a lot of sense

VIEL GLÃœCK FOR MORGEN RICHARD!

yepp ..go for it ! ...and all the best

Sorry Richard, Toi, Toi, Toi as they say in this parts!
Good luck for tomorrow!
)

Don't forget to add that you speak Welsh too, even if you don't they'd never know the difference. Now you can say you are multilingual

Good luck mate fingers crossed for you.

Todays the big day, good luck again

Well it went very well.

It was for an engineering agency, and he's got an interesting opening (pnarr, phnarr) for BMW in Leipzig, as well as a few others. All in all a good day!
So not exactly a new start, but at least there's potential this time as the agency is pretty big across Germany.

Oh, and no problem with the language either

Thanks for everybodys help!

so when do you find out if you have it?

Good Luck for your interview!

I am German but have got a British Boyfriend who is looking for a job in germany too and he has got the same problems, my advice is try to speak a little bit of german anyway like saying hello and ask in german if the interview can be held in english then they ll at least know you speak a little bit of english!

Any news yet?

dunno

oops sorry, no nothing yet But the guy did say it may take a few weeks.

well, well, well,

I e-mailed the guy last week and his brilliant reply was "I thought I had called you that weren't successfull"

Er no you hadn't , cheers mush

Ah well, still got a job so I suppose I should be happy

Thats exactly what I did through both of my job interviews and I was offered both of them