Überzeugender Auftritt auf Englisch
Geschafft: Eure Bewerbung ist offenbar gut angekommen, nun seid ihr zum Vorstellungsgespräch eingeladen. Über das Unternehmen habt ihr euch ausführlich informiert, die Stellenausschreibung passt auf euch wie die Faust auf's Auge, das ein oder andere Bewerbungsgespräch auf Deutsch habt ihr auch schon hinter euch.
Der Haken: Euer zukünftiger Arbeitgeber möchte das Gespräch auf Englisch führen. Was früher nur für Jobs in Neuseeland, USA, Großbritannien und Co. nötig war, ist inzwischen auch bei Stellen in Deutschland gang und gäbe. Die Globalisierung lässt grüßen.
Für den Bewerber bedeutet das doppelten Stress: Ein Bewerbungsgespräch ist schon auf Deutsch kein Zuckerschlecken. Sich in einer Fremdsprache gut zu verkaufen, ist eine zusätzliche Herausforderung.
Umso wichtiger also, sich gut auf das Gespräch vorzubereiten, um die richtigen Formulierungen zu finden und den passenden Ton anzuschlagen. Die Bewerbungsexperten Christian Püttjer und Uwe Schnierda haben für ihren Ratgeber "Das überzeugende Vorstellungsgespräch auf Englisch" entscheidende Fragen und Antwortmöglichkeiten gesammelt. Wir veröffentlichen zehn typische Fragen und zeigen, wie ihr darauf souverän reagiert - und was ihr besser bleiben lasst.
Buch-Tipp
image
Christian Püttjer und Uwe Schnierda Das überzeugende Vorstellungsgespräch auf Englisch Campus Verlag 287 Seiten 22,90 Euro
Frage: What made you apply for this job in particular?
Lieber nicht: "I read your job advertisement, and I'm very interested in the position."
Gerne so: "When I read your job advertisement, I realized it was describing me. My present duties include calculating costs and soliciting quotations. I worked on a project where we achieved better supply chain integration through the selection of suppliers. I have several years' experience in the areas of billing control, scheduling and data administration. I was particulary interested in the close liaison with field staff that you mentioned in the advertisement."
Frage: How did you develop yourself professionally in your last positon?
Lieber nicht: "We did courses on various software packages and went on a team-building seminar."
Gerne so: "Above and beyond my secretarial duties I worked as a project assistant, so I was constantly developing my professional skills. I became thoroughly proficient in Excel, so that I could prepare numerical data. For the project presentations I learned to use PowerPoint. In a team-building seminar, that I took part in, I learned how to liaise more effectively with colleagues. I've also been studying time management outside work hours."
Frage: What are your strengths?
Lieber nicht: "I'm highly motivated, flexible and a team player."
Gerne so: "I can produce good work under pressure - for example, I was able to keep on top of day-to-day work during the changeover to a new computer system. Our customers weren't even aware of the huge reconstructuring task that was under way. Another of my strenghts is my knowledge of different aspects of the company's work. Alongside my usual office duties I frequently took on special interdepartmental tasks like product optimisation."
Frage: What have been your two greatest achievements?
Lieber nicht: "Winning a ballroom dancing medal with my husband and staying in my present job so long - that's quite an achivement these days."
Gerne so: "One big achievement was rearranging the back office, so that the existing team was able to deal with a lot more customer enquiries. The second big achievement was integrating several databases. I went on a special course to prepare for that, so that I was able to take over responsability for the database conversion."
Frage: What have you done in the last two years to keep your English up-to-date?
Lieber nicht: "Learning a language is like learning to ride a bike. You never really forget."
Gerne so: "I read online articles from English-speaking newspapers at least once a week. And in my work I'm increasing my technical vocabulary all the time."
Frage: How do you react to criticism?
Lieber nicht: "Criticism is a fact of life, you have to get used to it."
Gerne so: "Criticism can be helpful if it's expressed in an objective way. I'm always open to hints about how to improve my work. If I think the criticism is unjustified, I will try to talk it through. That is usually enough to resolve any differences."
Frage: Where do you want to be in five years' time?
Lieber nicht: "I haven't thought about that. I'll just be glad if I get the job."
Gerne so: "In five years' time I'd like to have a senior position in the central marketing office. I could also imagine having a managerial role in corporate communications. In my present job as marketing assistant I've often taken on special assignments, so I can easily imagine taking on a more complex role."
Frage: What do your colleagues value about you?
Lieber nicht: "No idea. You'd have to ask my colleagues."
Gerne so: "My colleagues would say that I'm a good listener and I'm always ready to help with queries or problems. They would also say that I'm reliable and I don't leave anyone out in the cold. On the contrary, I've always looked after my colleagues, whether it's been a question of cover for leave or taking on extra duties."
Frage: Don't you think you're too young for this demanding position?
Lieber nicht: "It's interesting that you ask me that. After all, we're always hearing that German graduates are too old. I've made the effort to complete my studies quickly, and now you're telling me that I shouldn't have bothered?"
Gerne so: "No, I don't. I concentrated on relevant study areas and did suitable work placements to prepare for a demanding role. While I was completing my thesis I was also working in a company. I collaborated effictively with older colleagues, and the excellent results we achieved demonstrate that I can handle a project management role."
Frage: What would you like to earn with us?
Lieber nicht: "Well, if I had the choice, I would ask for more than you're likely to offer. But I'm grateful for any reasonable offer."
Gerne so: "Up to now, I've earned 62,000 Euros gross per year. Now, I'm aiming for a salary of 70,000 euros. I think this is justified, in view of my international experience."
Alle Beispielfragen und -antworten sind dem Buch "Das überzeugende Vorstellungsgespräch auf Englisch" von Püttjer & Schnierda (Campus Verlag) entnommen.
