The interview is your chance to show who you are — and to find out whether the ward and the team are right for you. This guide walks you through it step by step: from preparation and typical questions to the online interview and what comes afterwards.
Key takeaways
- Good preparation beats memorised answers: know the employer, your own CV and the key documents.
- You can prepare for typical questions on motivation, stress, teamwork and difficult situations with concrete examples.
- An interview is a two-way street — your own questions show interest and help you decide.
- For online interviews, technology, a quiet setting and a timely test run matter.
How to prepare
The better prepared you are, the calmer you will feel. Find out about the employer and the ward: what kind of facility is it (hospital, care home, home care)? Which specialty, which patients, which shift model? You will find a lot of this on the website or in the job advert.
Your own CV matters just as much: be ready to explain your roles, your experience and any gaps calmly. Being able to explain your own path clearly makes you come across as confident.
- Printed CV and cover letter
- Diploma or training certificates (with recognition/Nostrifikation if relevant)
- Proof of German skills and further training
- References or job references from previous positions
- ID/passport and, if relevant, residence permit
- A notepad and a few prepared questions of your own
Tip
Put your documents in a folder the day before and plan your journey with extra time. Better to arrive 10 minutes early than rushed.
Typical questions — and how to approach them
You do not need to memorise perfect answers. Instead, think of a short, honest example from your working life for each question. Concrete situations stick in the mind and sound more credible than generic phrases.
- Why did you choose nursing — and why us?
- How do you deal with stress and with shift work?
- Tell us about a difficult situation with a patient or relative. How did you respond?
- How do you work in a team, and how do you handle conflict?
- What are your strengths — and what would you still like to work on?
- Where do you see yourself professionally in a few years?
Structure helps
For example questions, you can answer in three steps: briefly describe the situation, explain what you did, then name the outcome. That keeps your answer clear and easy to follow.
Questions you should ask
At the end you will almost always be invited to ask your own questions. Use the chance — it shows genuine interest and helps you judge whether the role really fits.
- How is the team set up, and how big is it?
- What does the onboarding look like, and is there a fixed contact person?
- What exactly is the shift and rota model?
- Is there mentoring, further training or room to develop?
- How are overtime and cover shifts handled?
The online interview
Many international applicants have their first interview by video. The content follows the same rules as in person — the technology is what is added. A short test run beforehand takes away a lot of the nerves.
- Test camera, microphone and internet connection in advance
- Quiet, tidy background and good light from the front
- Silence your phone and avoid interruptions
- Look into the camera, not at your own image
- Keep documents and notes at hand, but do not read them out
Have a plan B
Keep a phone number ready on which you can be reached if the technology fails. That way the interview can continue by phone if needed.
After the interview
- 1
A brief thank you
A short, friendly thank-you email the same or next day leaves a good impression.
- 2
Reflect
Note down what went well and which questions left you unsure — it helps for the next interview.
- 3
Ask about the process
If no timeframe was mentioned, you may politely ask by when you can expect to hear back.
- 4
Review the offer
If you receive an offer, take your time to look over the contract, shift model and terms before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to the interview?
Bring your CV, your training and recognition certificates, proof of German and further training, job references, plus ID and, if relevant, your residence permit. A notepad and a few of your own questions round off your preparation.
How do I deal with nerves?
Nerves are completely normal. Good preparation helps most: know your CV, think of examples for typical questions and — for online interviews — do a technical test run beforehand. Breathe calmly and take a moment before you answer.
What should I wear?
Neat and tidy, on the understated side. You do not need a suit, but a clean, well-groomed appearance signals respect — including in an online interview, where the upper part of the frame is visible.
Can I ask about salary and the rota in the interview?
Yes. Questions about the shift model, onboarding and conditions are legitimate and show you take the role seriously. It is best to ask them when you are invited to raise your own questions at the end.
