Ausbildung Interview Questions

October 18, 2026 T. Ausbildung Corner

Short answer: Ausbildung interview questions (Vorstellungsgespräch) mostly cover your CV, why you chose this occupation, the company and your personality. Prepare short, truthful answers, practise your CV out loud, and match everything to your application documents. Also prepare a few questions of your own. Some questions, such as about religion or pregnancy, are not allowed.

This guide covers in-person and video interviews for a training place. It explains what happens, which questions to expect, which topics are off limits and what to ask the employer. Visa and entry rules are outside the scope of this site.

Table of Contents

What happens in an Ausbildung interview

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) describes the usual phases of an interview. Every interview is different, but most follow this order:

Greeting. This creates the first impression. Say your first and last name, smile and look at the person. A handshake is usual in Germany.
Small talk. Stay polite, be yourself and answer briefly and positively.
The employer’s questions. They want to learn why you applied and what your strengths are.
Your questions. This is your chance to show interest in the company.
Goodbye. Thank them and ask when you can expect an answer, if nobody has said so yet.

You may face two or more interviewers. A BA application brochure from 2024 says an interview can last anywhere from about 20 to 90 minutes. Some employers also use tests or an assessment centre, which is explained below.

Typical Ausbildung interview questions

According to the BA, questions usually concern your CV, your choice of occupation, the company and your personality. Prepare answers in key points, not word for word.

Question	What the employer wants to know	How to approach it
Tell us about yourself, or walk us through your CV	Whether you can present your background clearly	Practise saying the stations of your CV out loud. The BA says employers usually expect this
Why did you apply to us?	Whether you researched the company	Mention tasks, products or features of the company that interest you
Why this occupation?	Whether you understand the job	Name typical tasks and say why they suit you
What are your strengths?	Whether you assess yourself well	Choose strengths that fit the job and back each with an example
What are your weaknesses?	Whether you speak openly and work on them	Choose a real weakness you can mention, and say how you are improving
How do you work in a team, handle criticism or deal with stress?	Your social skills and how you cope under pressure	The BA’s 2025/26 guide lists these as typical questions. Use a short real example from school, a club or an internship
What is your favourite school subject?	Your interests and fit for the training	Be honest. A subject related to the job is helpful
Have you applied elsewhere?	Whether you are realistic	An earlier BA brochure says it is normal to apply to several companies, so answering no can seem unrealistic

The BA’s 2025/26 guide also lists questions about your goals, such as where you see yourself in five years, and about your hobbies and values.

The BA stresses honesty and authenticity. What you say should match your application documents, or you will seem less trustworthy. The BA also advises keeping answers focused: the more you say, the more follow-up questions may come, and experienced interviewers notice quickly when something is not true.

Questions employers may not ask

The BA’s current application guide (2025/26) lists topics employers should not ask about, including pregnancy, marital status or children, debts, illness or disability, religion, union or party membership, criminal record, sexual orientation and regular doctor visits. The BA says you do not need to answer such questions, but you should think in advance about how you would react. An earlier BA brochure says only questions directly related to the training place are allowed, and that health questions can be allowed where health directly relates to the work, as in jobs such as pilot, train driver or police. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

If you are asked, the BA’s meinBERUF page suggests staying calm and friendly. You can answer if you want to, or ask politely how the question relates to the position.

Questions to ask the employer

Asking your own questions shows interest. The BA advises writing them down and taking them, with a pen, to the interview. Ask what the company’s website and the posting do not already answer. Examples from the BA’s guides:

How many trainees does the company have, and how many stay on after the training?
What does a typical training day look like?
Which departments will I work in during the training?
How is vocational school (Berufsschule) organised, in weekly days or in blocks?
Is there regular feedback during the training?
What are the working hours, and what career steps are possible?
Could I see the workplace, for example the training workshop or offices?
When can I expect a decision?

The 2024 brochure also lists training pay among possible questions. Check the posting first, since many already state it, and see our pay guide for the general picture.

Tests and assessment centres

Some employers add a selection test or an assessment centre. Make it in Germany explains that tests check knowledge and skills such as general knowledge, maths and language, while assessment centres focus on social skills such as teamwork, communication and solving conflicts. The BA’s 2025/26 guide says you are often observed in group work, discussions, short presentations or role plays. Employers watch how you listen, whether you contribute ideas and whether you stay calm under pressure. Make it in Germany notes that an assessment centre can require foreign applicants to travel to Germany.

Video interviews

More companies now use online interviews. The BA says they need the same preparation as an in-person interview, plus a technical check:

Check that the software works, or install it beforehand.
Test your internet connection, headset and webcam, and make sure the room is bright enough.
Choose a quiet room and a tidy background where nobody will disturb you.
Dress as you would for an in-person interview.
Keep your application documents and your questions close by.
Do not sit too close to the camera. Keep eye contact and an upright posture.

Language and honesty

Make it in Germany, the government’s official portal, warns against using tools such as AI to fake language skills, because the interview shows your real level. Answer in the language you can actually use. If you lose your thread, the BA advises being honest: say you do not know, or ask for the question to be repeated. A small blackout is human and normally not a reason to reject you.

How to prepare, step by step

Find out what kind of interview it is (in person, video or group) and note the date, time, place and the name of your contact.
Learn about the company on its website and social media, and about the people you will meet.
Write down your strengths, goals and reasons for applying, then practise presenting your CV out loud.
Rehearse typical questions with friends or family, ideally with two people playing the interviewers. The BA’s 2025/26 guide also suggests practising aloud with an AI that plays the interviewer. Keep your private data out of the chat.
Write down your own questions.
Plan your journey and aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, or test your technology. Take the invitation, your application documents, a notepad and a pen.
Choose neat clothing. The BA suggests looking at what staff in the industry wear, dressing one level smarter than they usually do, and avoiding tracksuit bottoms, leggings and hoodies.
At the end, thank the interviewers and ask when to expect an answer.

Common mistakes

Not knowing the company. The “why us” question checks exactly this.
Saying things that do not match your CV and cover letter.
Exaggerating or inventing. Interviewers have experience and notice quickly.
Dwelling on weaknesses. Name one honestly, then move to what you are doing about it.
Having no questions of your own.
Asking what the posting already answers.
Arriving late or unprepared for a video call. Test your technology beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an Ausbildung interview last?

It varies. A BA application brochure from 2024 mentions roughly 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the employer.

What should I wear?

Neat clothing that suits the industry. The BA suggests looking at what employees there wear and dressing one level smarter, for example a shirt or blouse with jeans in a casual workplace, or a suit in a job with customer contact.

What if I do not know the answer?

Be honest. You can say you are not sure or ask for the question to be repeated, and take a breath. According to the BA, a small blackout is human and normally not a reason to reject you.

What should I take to the interview?

The invitation with your contact’s name and phone number, your application documents, your written questions, a notepad and a pen.

What should I do after the interview?

Thank the interviewers at the end and ask when you can expect feedback, if they have not said so already. According to the BA’s 2025/26 guide, a short thank-you note afterwards can leave a good impression but is no longer a must.

Sources

Last updated: 17 October 2026. Rules and figures can change, so confirm details with the official source before you decide.

Ausbildung Corner.