job interview Archives - All on Board

Good life Good life

good life smash the german job interview

‘Let me take you to a place I know you want to go
It’s a good life’

—

Everyone in Berlin wants the same damn thing. Enough money to live on, a decent place to live, and good weather. Right?

Well good weather’s out of the question, and I can’t help you get a place to live, so the only thing left is money. And the big question is: how can I get enough money to live in this ‘poor but sexy’ city?

OK. I’ve read the reports. Berlin’s no longer poor but sexy. But it still has its charms don’t you think? I mean Berlin is the only capital city in Europe, the only one, that drags its national economy down. Wow!

Oh wait … that’s bad, isn’t it.

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But back to getting money. In Berlin. And the Good Life. Whether you want to work freelance or angestellte, full or part-time, you need to meet people, greet people and network like crazy – and you need to convince people that you’re the person they need to hire.

So back by popular demand is our FREE Smashing the German Job Interview workshop!

Woop! Woop! On the right you can read a few comments from the last workshop in January.

“Great event! 😊”

“I really enjoyed your event and really thank you for the opportunity to attend”

“Thanks – it was so useful!”

What can I expect from this workshop?

We’ll greet you when you arrive and show you to a classroom. The teacher will take you through some activities where you’ll learn useful vocabulary to help you smash your next German job interview. And you’ll get extra tips along the way.

Oh, and they’ll be coffee and snakes. Sorry I mean snacks.

What will I get out of the workshop?

As well as some super-useful vocabulary and the coffee and ~~snakes~~ snacks, the workshop will give you confidence in using German in a job interview situation because you will practice this vocabulary yourself – and you’ll also meet other people in the same boat!

When and where is it?

The workshop is on Saturday May 18 from 1pm to 2pm at All on Board language school.

You’ll find us at Seestr. 27, in Wedding. The nearest U-Bahn is Seestraße – on the U6.

How can I enrol for the workshop?

Simply send an email to info@allonboard.de and we’ll put you on the list. But please let us know asap so we can guarantee you a place. Don’t leave it too late!

—

Well that’s all from us. We hope to see you on Saturday May 18th – perhaps we can provide you with that first step towards a Good Life!

(And maybe even some good weather … )

Cao!

Survive your first German job … and even make fire!

survive your first German job and even make fire

Despite the cold, last Saturday we had a full house at our Smashing the German Job Interview workshop.

And speaking to people there, we discovered that you want more workshops like this: short, focused, and practical. Events that help you negotiate your first steps at work. Workshops that help with that important process of zu der Firma passen or ‘fitting in’.

smashing the german job interview at all on board

So we’ll run ‘Smashing’ again, but have a new idea: Survive your first German job … and even make fire!

This workshop would be longer and include: introductions, formal/ informal phrases for emailing, telephoning phrases, talking in meetings, and small talk strategies.

We think these are useful things to know when you get, and start, your first German job.

But first we need your help. And suggestions!

We want to know a few things. If you could take just five seconds to answer three short questions we’d be very grateful.

Let us know your thoughts so All on Board can help you survive your first German job … and even make fire!

In the meantime, stay warm.

And tschüss!

3 Phrases to Smash that German Job Interview!

A few key phrases can help you sound like a Profi and help you get that dream job.

Does your heart sink at the thought of a job interview in German? Well don’t worry … that’s normal.

It’s like writing with your left hand, or drinking coffee from the other side of the cup.

Difficult, right?

But not impossible. A few key phrases can help you sound like a Profi and help you get that dream job. (A Profi is a professional. And that’s what we are, right?)

But first here are words to avoid, because they’re over-used and altmodisch (old-fashioned).

zuverlässig (reliable)
ordentlich (respectable, neat and tidy)
ehrgeizig (ambitious)

I’ll prove it. Watch the video. Can you hear the words?

Instead here are three real phrases that people really use in interviews, and they respond to three real questions you might be asked.

1. Tell us about yourself. Erzählen Sie uns etwas über sich.

Ich lege viel Wert auf Kreativität in meiner Arbeit, zum Beispiel … = I place great value on creativity in my work. For example …

2. Why do you want to work here? Warum wollen Sie in unserer Firma arbeiten?

Ich hätte gern eine Stelle, bei der ich mich persönlich entwickeln kann = I really want a job where I can develop myself personally.

3. What skills can you bring to our company? Welche Fähigkeiten bringen Sie mit?

Ich bin fähig Websiten zu erstellen = I’m competent/ skilled in creating websites.

So there’s three phrases to help you! If you find them useful please share the blog with others.

Smashing the German Job Interview! – our free event – will give you more useful phrases. It’s on Saturday 26 Jan from 1 to 2pm at All on Board school, Seestraße 27 in Wedding.

You can socialise, meet others, do some networking and learn to SMASH that German job interview and get that dream job.

To book a place call 030/3983 3993 or simply email info@allonboard.de

But remember. Sign up by 22nd January to be sure of a place.

Tschüss!

3½ ways to talk about MOVEMENT in German

moving through the city with ease — Markus Binzegger via Flickr (colourized) CC 2.0

Why are you here? I don’t mean why are we all here—I’m not a philosopher. I mean why are you here, in Berlin?

What brought you here? Was it work? Study? Or perhaps romance brought you here?

Aha. That’s interesting. I didn’t know people came here for that.

Well. Whatever brought you here I hope you’re finding your feet, your Berlin and getting settled.

I’m sure you know how to get around by now. Moving by U-Bahn, tram, by bike or on foot, the city is a metropolis of movement.

I didn’t know people came here for that.

More than other cities, Berlin is easy to get around.

So here’s your first tip.

1. Wie sagt man ‘movement’? Bewegung is movement. It can be physical movement or an organisation or association. (Like the scout movement Pfadfinderbewegung.)

And don’t forget the protest movement Protestbewegung.

Which Berlin is famous for!

Now you’re wondering what I’m doing here. Well I’ll be giving you essential tips on surviving and thriving in Berlin.

Stuff like smashing a job interview, finding a tandem partner, and finding a school to help you learn German.

All for free.

On that note … I’d like to invite you to our free Smashing the German Job interview! event on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at All on Board school, Seestraße 27 in Wedding!

You’ll meet the staff, learn some useful vocabulary, and do some fun activities.

You’ll be greeted at the door and we’ll explain how to improve your German in a nice environment—with us!

All on Board – Smashing the German Job Interview! – Jan 26 2019 #learngerman #berlin

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But back to movement. If you’re relatively new here I bet you’ve moved house, with all those boxes, getting lost, and walking up to those Altbauwohnungen.

moving house in Berlin — Forrest Wheatey via Flickr. CC 2.0. Credit Fantastic Removals

So here’s your second and third tip.

2. Wie sagt man ‘move house’ auf Deutsch?

To move house = umziehen

We had to move house when I got a new job. Als ich eine neue Stelle bekam, mussten wir umziehen.

***But careful! Sich umziehen means to change clothes.

Entschuldige, ich muss mich umziehen = Excuse me, I must get changed.***

3. How do you say ‘to be moved’ by something in German? Remember that word Bewegung? That was the noun. We use the verb in a similar way to English.

I was moved by the film = Der Film hat mich bewegt

So that’s your three ways to talk about movement in German. Oh I forgot—what about the half?

Well, if you’re like me, then one consequence of moving is the arguments that sometimes erupt …

So I don’t wish an argument on you—but here are the essential words in German, just in case!

3½. Wie sagt man ‘to have an argument’? Einen Streit haben

Example: Wie oft streitet ihr? How often do you (pl.) argue?

Answer: Wir streiten uns nie! We never argue!

You never argue … really? Not even at IKEA?

Well that’s all. I’ve given you some essential phrases to talk about movement and moving house.

Remember to book a German course call us on 030/3983 3993 or email us at info@allonboard.de

Check out our website. And keep your diary free for Saturday, January 26, 2019 – Smashing the German Job interview!

Stay warm and keep moving …

Tschüss!

Photo credit:
Free image Subway train
torange.biz CC 4.0