1 Thing recruiters cannot ignore

October 10th, 2024
a paper with a text can you make it to B1 level german
Picture of Kevin Kocher
Kevin Kocher

Owner

Often recruiters in Germany cannot ignore one certain thing… if it’s missing on your CV.

I posted on LinkedIn the benefits of knowing B1 level German rather than having 0 German skills.

If you apply to a job in the standard/cold method, scanners and AI will almost always look for the German skills.

Here is how you can increase your chances of getting a job by at least completing beginner German courses.

Find a personal tutor that teaches you in the style that you learn best from. That could be a mix of activities.

Something I wish I knew ahead of time before I moved: the difference between everyday German, and how you learn from the book courses.

B1 level gives you a solid foundation to build on after you learn a bit from the book. But conversational speaking and listening practice will help you feel more comfortable with how people actually communicate in everyday life.

I spent a lot of time in the past focusing on grammar and formalities. While it is important for some jobs, you’ll likely need more than B1 anyway after probation period, if your new company decides to keep you.

Remember, finding an English speaking job is you asking for a chance to prove your skills, while you improve your language skills in your free time.

So my tip would be to focus on interview practice. How can you be more comfortable knowing how to understand your future manager, and be able to make your point.

I will leave you this week with this quote:

“Think of yourself in a concert hall listening to the strains of the sweetest music when you suddenly remember that you forgot to lock your car. You are anxious about the car, you cannot walk out of the hall and you cannot enjoy the music. There you have the perfect image of life as it is lived by most human beings.

For life to those who have the ears to hear is a symphony; but very very rare indeed is the human being who hears the music.” -Anthony de Mello

Put aside your doubt and failures from the job search of the past.

Avoid dividing your attention away from the task today: which is a step towards a job offer.

Whether that’s finally doing beginner language courses, or reaching out to 5 managers today and introducing yourself.

Write me a reply if you’d like a German language tutor recommendation, I will send you her calendar.

-Kevin