Genau
Topic test · B1

Job application test

13questions
8minutes
60%pass mark
Start the test Read the topic first

One question at a time, the clock runs. Answers stay closed like a real exam: you see every correct answer with its explanation at the end. Score 60% to finish the topic.

Topic test

13 questions, easy to hard

Pick an option and press «Next». You can go back and change it. Anything left blank counts as wrong.

Ich freue mich, von Ihnen .

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

zu hören. In patterns like this (anything other than a modal verb) the infinitive comes with zu. It is the same “to hear” you say in English.

The salutation of a formal letter in Germany: “ Herr Demir,”

Sehr geehrter. Herr is masculine, so the adjective takes -r. For a woman it is Sehr geehrte Frau …, and if the name is unknown, Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

Ich für diese Stelle.

I’m interested in this position.

interessiere mich. sich interessieren für (Akkusativ). If you would rather build it with the adjective, the preposition changes: Ich bin an dieser Stelle interessiert.

Das ist genau die Aufgabe, mich interessiert.

That is exactly the task that interests me.

die. In a relative clause the article picks the word: die Aufgabe → die. The verb also goes to the end of the subordinate clause.

What does it mean if an ad says “Berufserfahrung von Vorteil”?

It is not required. von Vorteil = “an advantage”. If it were required, the ad would say erforderlich or Voraussetzung.

What goes in the subject line of an application e-mail?

Bewerbung als Verkäufer (m/w/d). You copy the job title from the ad exactly, (m/w/d) included. If the ad gives a Kennziffer, it goes on the same line.

What is a “Lebenslauf” in a German application?

der Lebenslauf = CV. In Germany it is written in table form with the newest experience at the top. The cover letter is something else: das Anschreiben.

What does a “Zeugnis” stand for in an application file?

das Zeugnis is used both for a school diploma and for an Arbeitszeugnis (work reference). In a German file you attach copies of them.

Ich bewerbe mich die Stelle als Verkäufer.

I’m applying for the position of sales assistant.

sich bewerben takes um + Akkusativ — the safe choice in writing (in speech you also hear für and auf). zu and mit do not work here: both need the Dativ, and the meaning is wrong too. sich interessieren takes für — the two get mixed up.

Which is the right reply to an interview invitation?

In formal writing the reply is clear. vielleicht (maybe) makes the employer read indecision; if the date does not suit you, propose an alternative.

Liebe Herr Müller

Dear Mr Müller — letter salutation

In formal letters, the pattern for men is Sehr geehrter Herr.

Sehr geehrte Damen und

To whom it may concern — when you do not know the name

The general German salutation is Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren.

Build the sentence: I’m applying for the programmer position.

Tap the pieces to build the sentence

When you apply for a position, the pattern is sich bewerben um.
Quick rules

The rules in three lines

The full topic lives on its own page. This is only the core you need for the test.

  1. The file has three parts

    A German application means Anschreiben (cover letter) + Lebenslauf (CV in table form) + Zeugnisse (diplomas and work references). All three are sent as one PDF.

    Anschreiben · Lebenslauf · Zeugnisse

  2. Address the person if you know the name

    If the name is known: Sehr geehrter Herr … / Sehr geehrte Frau …; if not: Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,. The line after the comma starts in lowercase.

    Sehr geehrter Herr Demir,

  3. sich bewerben um · sich interessieren für

    These two verbs get mixed up all the time: applying takes um, being interested takes für. Both are reflexive — mich stays.

    Ich bewerbe mich um die Stelle. · Ich interessiere mich für die Stelle.

  4. Ad language is soft-spoken

    von Vorteil = a plus, not required. wünschenswert = preferred. Voraussetzung really is a must. Do not give up on applying before you see this difference.

    Berufserfahrung von Vorteil

Traps

Commonly mixed up

Where a direct translation breaks. The hard questions come from here.

  • Ich bewerbe mich zur Stelle.

    Ich bewerbe mich um die Stelle.

    sich bewerben takes um, not zu. In speech you will also hear für and auf, but in writing um is the safe choice.

  • Sehr geehrte Herr Demir,

    Sehr geehrter Herr Demir,

    Adjective endings apply in the salutation too: masculine geehrter, feminine geehrte.

  • Ich freue mich, von Ihnen hören.

    Ich freue mich, von Ihnen zu hören.

    sich freuen is followed by an infinitive with zu.

  • Ich komme vielleicht zum Termin.

    Ich komme gern zum Termin.

    In formal writing, vagueness reads as negative: replace vielleicht with a clear yes. If the date does not suit you, propose a clear alternative.