My First Months: Talking About Work in Germany

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin. It’s amazing, truly, but let’s be honest, the initial excitement has settled a little, and the biggest hurdle has become… work. I’d moved here with a vague idea of freelance translation, but the reality is, actually talking about my experience and my skills feels… well, it feels terrifying! Everyone speaks so quickly, and the nuances of the conversation just seemed to slip right past me. I’ve learned a lot about how different things are, not just in language, but in how people approach discussions about their professional lives. This isn’t about perfect grammar (though, believe me, I’m still working on that!), it’s about being able to actually have a conversation.

The Initial Interview – “Was machen Sie?”

The first interview for a part-time admin job was a disaster. I’d practiced my answers to basic questions in my head, but when the interviewer, Herr Schmidt, asked “Was machen Sie?” (What do you do?), I completely blanked. My brain just went completely empty. Panic set in, and I mumbled something about “language…” and then trailed off. He looked confused. I realized later that “Was machen Sie?” isn’t just “What’s your job?” It’s an invitation for you to explain what you do.

The correct response, and what I should have said, was something like: “Ich bin freier Übersetzer/in” (I’m a freelance translator) or, if I’d been more confident, “Ich arbeite als Übersetzer/in und mache gerade einen Job in der Verwaltung, um Geld zu verdienen” (I work as a translator and am currently doing a job in administration to earn money). Even just “Ich übersetze” (I translate) is a start.

Describing My Previous Experience – “Früher…”

Moving on to describing my previous work in the UK, the phrase “Früher…” (formerly…) kept tripping me up. I kept saying it in a way that sounded incredibly dramatic, like I was describing a royal coronation. My friend, Sarah, gently corrected me. “Just say ‘Vorher’ (before) – it’s much more natural.” She showed me an example: “Vorher habe ich in einem Marketingbüro gearbeitet.” (Before, I worked in a marketing office). It sounded so much better! I also learned that you don’t always need to give a full explanation. If someone asks about a specific skill you used, you can simply say, “Ich habe das in meinem letzten Job gemacht” (I did that in my last job).

Common Phrases and Vocabulary

Here’s a little cheat sheet of phrases that I’ve found super useful:

• Ich habe Erfahrung in… (I have experience in…) – “Ich habe Erfahrung in Projektmanagement.” (I have experience in project management.)
• Ich war verantwortlich für… (I was responsible for…) – “Ich war verantwortlich für die Erstellung von Präsentationen.” (I was responsible for creating presentations.)
• Ich habe gelernt… (I learned…) – “Ich habe gelernt, Deutsch zu sprechen.” (I learned to speak German.) – This one’s relevant even if you’re a newcomer!
• Ich bin gut in… (I’m good at…) – “Ich bin gut in Kommunikation.” (I’m good at communication.)
• Ich suche nach einer Stelle als… (I’m looking for a job as…) – “Ich suche nach einer Stelle als Büroassistent/in.” (I’m looking for a job as an office assistant.)

Mistakes and Corrections – Don’t Panic!

I made so many mistakes. One particularly embarrassing moment was when I was talking about my previous role and accidentally used the wrong case. I was trying to say “Ich habe das Projekt geleitet” (I led the project) and ended up saying “Ich habe das Projekt geleitet.” Herr Schmidt just smiled and said, “Kein Problem! Jeder macht Fehler” (No problem! Everyone makes mistakes). It was a huge relief! He even offered to help me practice. That’s important – don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Talking About Challenges – “Es war schwierig…”

It’s also important to be able to talk about challenges you’ve faced. I realised that just saying “It was difficult” isn’t enough. I need to elaborate. “Es war schwierig, mich an die deutsche Arbeitskultur anzupassen” (It was difficult to adapt to the German work culture) is a much more nuanced and meaningful statement. Or, “Ich hatte Schwierigkeiten, mit der Bürokratie umzugehen” (I had trouble dealing with the bureaucracy). Be honest, but frame it positively – showing you’re aware of the challenges and willing to learn.

Wrap Up – It’s a Process

Honestly, talking about my work experience in German is still a work in progress. It’s uncomfortable, and I stumble over my words, but I’m getting better. The key is to be prepared with basic phrases, to not panic when I make mistakes, and to ask for help when I need it. And most importantly, to remember that everyone understands that you’re a learner – “Ich bin ein Sprachstudent/in” (I am a language student) is a perfectly acceptable response when you’re feeling overwhelmed! This is a journey, not a race. Weiterhin viel Erfolg! (Keep up the good work!)