German for jobs in Germany – learn the language you will use at work
Planning to work in Germany from Pakistan, India or anywhere else? German for jobs in Germany is more than grammar: you need to understand your colleagues, survive the interview and pass the B1 exam. Deutsch30 helps you with all three – for free.
German for jobs in Germany: which level do employers expect?
There is no single rule. The level depends on the job, the employer and – for regulated professions such as nursing – the recognition office of the federal state. This table shows typical expectations, not legal minimums.
| Job type | Typical level | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse, logistics, production helper | A2–B1 | Safety instructions, shift plans, talking to the team |
| Retail, hotel, restaurant | B1, often B2 | Daily contact with customers |
| Ausbildung (vocational training) | B1–B2 | Vocational school lessons and exams are in German |
| Nursing (Pflege) | B1 or B2, depending on the federal state | Needed for recognition; patients and documentation |
| Doctors | Usually B2 plus a medical language exam at C1 | Set by the state medical authorities |
| IT, engineering, research | English often enough to start; German A2–B1 helps a lot | Team language may be English, but daily life is in German |
| Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Language skills count towards the points | Check make-it-in-germany.com for the current rules |
For official information on visas, recognition and the Opportunity Card, see make-it-in-germany.com, the German government portal for skilled workers. For certificates, see goethe.de and telc.net.
Useful German phrases for the workplace
These sentences come up in your first weeks at any job. German for the workplace at B1 level is mostly about short, clear, polite sentences like these.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Guten Morgen! Ich bin neu hier. Ich heiße Ali. | Good morning! I'm new here. My name is Ali. |
| Mahlzeit! | Common greeting around lunchtime at work (regional) |
| Ich bin krank und kann heute nicht kommen. | I'm sick and can't come in today. |
| Ich bringe morgen die Krankmeldung vom Arzt mit. | I'll bring the doctor's sick note tomorrow. |
| Ich komme heute etwa zehn Minuten später. | I'll be about ten minutes late today. |
| Können Sie mir bitte kurz helfen? | Could you help me for a moment, please? |
| Kannst du mir das bitte noch einmal erklären? | Could you explain that to me again, please? (informal) |
| Entschuldigung, das habe ich nicht verstanden. | Sorry, I didn't understand that. |
| Wo finde ich die Handschuhe? | Where can I find the gloves? |
| Wann fängt meine Schicht an? | When does my shift start? |
| Diese Woche habe ich Frühschicht, nächste Woche Spätschicht. | This week I'm on the early shift, next week on the late shift. |
| Kann ich am Samstag mit jemandem die Schicht tauschen? | Can I swap my Saturday shift with someone? |
| Ich mache jetzt meine Pause. | I'm taking my break now. |
| Ich bin fertig. Was soll ich als Nächstes machen? | I'm finished. What should I do next? |
| Ich möchte im August eine Woche Urlaub nehmen. Geht das? | I'd like to take a week off in August. Is that possible? |
| Sollen wir du sagen? | Shall we use “du” with each other? |
| Schönen Feierabend! | Have a nice evening! (said when leaving work) |
| Bis morgen! | See you tomorrow! |
Your job interview in German
Interviews (Vorstellungsgespräche) in Germany are usually formal: use Sie, be on time and keep your answers short and concrete. Here are typical questions with sample answers you can adapt.
„Erzählen Sie bitte etwas über sich.“
„Ich heiße Sara Khan, bin 27 Jahre alt und komme aus Lahore. Ich habe Krankenpflege studiert und drei Jahre in einem Krankenhaus gearbeitet.“
“My name is Sara Khan, I'm 27 and I come from Lahore. I studied nursing and worked in a hospital for three years.”
„Warum möchten Sie bei uns arbeiten?“
„Ihr Haus hat einen sehr guten Ruf, und ich möchte mich in der Pflege weiterentwickeln.“
“Your hospital has a very good reputation, and I want to develop further in nursing.”
„Was sind Ihre Stärken?“
„Ich bin zuverlässig, arbeite gern im Team und lerne schnell.“
“I'm reliable, I like working in a team and I learn quickly.”
„Wie gut sprechen Sie Deutsch?“
„Ich habe das B1-Zertifikat und lerne jeden Tag weiter, weil ich bald B2 erreichen möchte.“
“I have the B1 certificate and keep learning every day, because I want to reach B2 soon.”
„Wann können Sie anfangen?“
„Sobald mein Visum da ist, kann ich sofort anfangen.“
“As soon as I have my visa, I can start right away.”
„Haben Sie noch Fragen an uns?“
„Ja, gern. Wie sieht die Einarbeitung in den ersten Wochen aus?“
“Yes, please. What does the training look like in the first few weeks?”
Tip: always have one question ready for the end. Saying “Nein, keine Fragen” can sound uninterested.
How Deutsch30 prepares you for work
Job interview scene
An animated interview among 22+ real-life scenes – hear the questions and the answers in context. Watch scenes →
Job German for sales advisors
Retail German in a fashion store: your first day, greeting customers, sizes and the changing room. Open Job German →
Writing coach
Write emails, sick notes and application letters; the coach checks your text and gives an exam-style score. Start writing →
B1 exam prep
Practice tests in the official Goethe and telc task formats, timed mock exams and 763 exam words. Prepare for B1 →
Speaking practice
Answer out loud with your microphone – 30 everyday conversations and 12 exam speaking simulations. Start talking →
Personal study plan
Tell us your exam or start date and get a plan that fits. Get my plan →
Living in Germany: the first steps
A new job comes with paperwork. Knowing the words saves you a lot of stress in your first month:
- Anmeldung: register your address at the Bürgeramt, usually within two weeks of moving in. You need the confirmation from your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
- Health insurance (Krankenversicherung): compulsory in Germany. As an employee you choose a health insurance fund, and your employer handles the contributions through your payslip.
- Tax ID (Steuer-Identifikationsnummer): usually sent to you by post after your Anmeldung. Your employer needs it for your salary.
- Bank account (Girokonto): you need one to receive your salary and pay rent.
The Living in Germany section explains 12 survival topics – from offices and official letters to housing, work and money – with the German words you will need.
Get job-ready in German – for free
Start with Day 1 today and work your way up to the B1 exam.
Start Day 1 freeFAQ: German for work in Germany
Can I get a job in Germany without speaking German?
In some fields, such as IT or research at international companies, English can be enough to start. For most jobs – and for Ausbildung and nursing – German is expected. Even where it is not required, German makes daily work, the job search and life outside work much easier.
Which German level do I need for the Opportunity Card?
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) uses a points system in which language skills play a role, and better German can earn more points. The exact requirements can change, so check make-it-in-germany.com for the current rules before you apply.
Is B1 enough to work in Germany?
B1 is a common minimum for many jobs and for Ausbildung, because you can handle everyday situations and simple workplace conversations. Jobs with a lot of customer contact, nursing and most office roles often expect B2. Your employer or the recognition office decides.
Does Deutsch30 issue a German certificate for my job application?
No. Deutsch30 is a free learning website and does not issue certificates. It prepares you for the Goethe and telc exams from A1 to B1; the certificate itself comes from the exam provider after you pass the real exam.
How can I practise a job interview in German?
Watch the animated job interview scene, learn the typical questions and answers on this page, and practise them out loud in the speaking section, which uses your microphone and speech recognition in the browser.
Is Deutsch30 free for people who want to work in Germany?
Yes. The whole course is free for everyone, with no sign-up. It works on your phone and your laptop, and your progress is saved in your browser.