Following up on a job interview | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: In a job interview follow-up, a candidate clarifies next steps and offers work samples while protecting confidential client information..

EN → DE / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Following up on a job interview to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Könnten Sie die nächsten Schritte im Prozess erläutern?

KURN-ten zee dee NAYKH-sten SHRIT-tuh im proh-TSESS air-LOY-tern Could you clarify the next steps in the process?
B

Das Auswahlgremium wird Ihre Unterlagen prüfen und entscheiden, ob ein weiteres Gespräch nötig ist.

dahs OWS-vahl-greh-mee-oom veert EE-ruh OON-ter-lah-gen PROO-fen oont ent-SHYE-den, ohp ine VY-ter-es geh-SHPRAYKH NUR-tikh ist The panel will review your materials and decide whether another conversation is needed.
A

Ich kann die angeforderten Beispiele über das Bewerbungsportal hochladen.

ikh kahn dee AHN-geh-FOR-der-ten BYE-shpee-leh OO-ber dahs beh-VER-boongss-por-TAHL HOHK-lah-den I can upload the requested samples through the application portal.
B

Die von Ihnen erwähnte Projektzusammenfassung wäre besonders hilfreich.

dee fohn EE-nen air-VAYN-tuh proh-YEKT-tsoo-ZAH-men-fahs-oong VAIR beh-ZON-ders HILF-raikh The project summary you mentioned would be especially useful.
A

Ich kann den Kontext einbeziehen, ohne vertrauliche Informationen über Kunden offenzulegen.

ikh kahn den KON-tekst INE-bee-TSEE-en, OH-nuh fer-TROW-li-khuh in-for-mah-TSEE-oh-nen OO-ber KOON-den OH-fen-tsoo-LAY-gen I can include context without exposing confidential client information.
B

Dieses Urteilsvermögen im Umgang mit vertraulichen Informationen ist hier wichtig.

DEE-zes OOR-tails-fer-MUR-gen im OOM-gahng mit fer-TROW-li-khuh in-for-mah-TSEE-oh-nen ist heer VIKH-tikh That kind of judgment when handling confidential information is important here.
A

Wann kann ich mit dem Ergebnis der Prüfung rechnen?

vahn kahn ikh mit daym air-GAYB-niss dair PROO-foong REKH-nen When should I expect to hear the outcome of the review?
B

Wir werden Sie kontaktieren, nachdem das Auswahlgremium seine Beratung beendet hat.

veer VAIR-den zee kon-tak-TEE-ren, NAHKH-daym dahs OWS-vahl-greh-mee-oom ZY-nuh beh-RAH-toong beh-EN-det haht We will contact you after the panel finishes its discussion.

Word by Word

Könnten “Könnten” means “could” and makes “Könnten Sie ...?” a polite request. It is the polite conditional form related to “können” and is useful when asking an interviewer for clarification or assistance.
Sie “Sie” means “you” in the formal address used with an interviewer. Here it is the person being asked in “Könnten Sie ...?”, so use it for a respectful request to one or more people.
die “die” means “the” before the plural noun “Schritte” in “die nächsten Schritte”. It introduces the specific steps being discussed, so this form is useful when referring to known plural items.
nächsten “nächsten” means “next” or “following” in “die nächsten Schritte”. Its form fits the plural noun phrase, and “die nächsten Schritte” is a useful expression when asking what will happen afterward.
Schritte “Schritte” means “steps” in the process. It is the plural form of “Schritt” and is useful when discussing a sequence of actions or stages.
im “im” means “in the” in “im Prozess”; it is the contraction of “in dem”. Use it before a masculine or neuter noun when referring to something within a process or context.
Prozess “Prozess” means “process” in “im Prozess”. Here it refers to the job application procedure, so it is useful for describing organized stages or procedures.
erläutern “erläutern” means “to explain” or “to clarify” in “die nächsten Schritte ... erläutern”. It is the infinitive after “Könnten Sie” and is useful when asking someone to make information clearer.
Das “Das” means “the” before the neuter noun “Auswahlgremium” in “Das Auswahlgremium”. It starts the sentence with the panel as the subject, so this form is used before a specific neuter noun.
Auswahlgremium “Auswahlgremium” means “selection panel” or “selection committee”. It names the group that reviews the candidate’s materials, so it is useful in formal hiring or selection contexts.
wird “wird” means “will” in “wird ... prüfen und entscheiden”. It is a form of “werden” used with the infinitives “prüfen” and “entscheiden” to describe a future action, useful when explaining what a group will do.
Ihre “Ihre” means “your” in the formal address, as in “Ihre Unterlagen”. It identifies materials belonging to the person being addressed and is useful in respectful professional communication.
Unterlagen “Unterlagen” means “documents” or “application materials” in this job-application context. It is the plural form of “Unterlage” and commonly refers to documents submitted for review.
prüfen “prüfen” means “to review” or “to examine” in “Ihre Unterlagen prüfen”. It is an infinitive after “wird” and is useful for describing a careful review of documents, information, or results.
und “und” means “and” and connects the two actions “prüfen” and “entscheiden”. Use it to join related actions or statements, especially when the same subject performs both actions.
entscheiden “entscheiden” means “to decide” in “entscheiden, ob ...”. It is an infinitive after “wird” and is useful when describing a decision that follows a review.
ob “ob” means “whether” and introduces the question “ob ein weiteres Gespräch nötig ist”. It begins a subordinate clause, where the finite verb appears at the end, and is useful when reporting an unresolved yes-or-no question.
ein “ein” means “a” or “an” before the neuter noun “Gespräch” in “ein weiteres Gespräch”. It introduces one additional conversation that has not yet been identified more specifically.
weiteres “weiteres” means “another” or “further” in “ein weiteres Gespräch”. It shows that the conversation would be an additional one, and this phrase is useful when discussing a possible next meeting.
Gespräch “Gespräch” means “conversation” or, in this context, another interview conversation. It is used in “ein weiteres Gespräch” to name a possible future discussion between the candidate and the panel.
nötig “nötig” means “necessary” or “needed” in “nötig ist”. It describes whether another conversation is required, so it is useful when evaluating whether an additional step is needed.
ist “ist” means “is” in “ein weiteres Gespräch nötig ist”. It is the form of “sein” that completes the subordinate clause and links the conversation with the description “nötig”.
Ich “Ich” means “I” and is the speaker’s subject in “Ich kann ...”. It is useful when offering one’s own ability, action, or willingness in a professional conversation.
kann “kann” means “can” or “am able to” in “Ich kann ... hochladen”. It is a form of “können” followed by the infinitive “hochladen”, and “Ich kann ...” is useful for offering to perform an action.
angeforderten “angeforderten” means “requested” and describes “Beispiele” in “die angeforderten Beispiele”. It identifies the samples that the other party asked for, which is useful when referring to previously requested documents or materials.
Beispiele “Beispiele” means “examples” or “samples” in the application context. It is the plural form of “Beispiel” and refers here to work samples that can be submitted for evaluation.
über “über” means “through” or “via” in “über das Bewerbungsportal”. It identifies the channel used to upload something, so it is useful when describing how information or files are sent.
Bewerbungsportal “Bewerbungsportal” means “application portal”. It names the online platform through which the requested samples can be uploaded, so it is useful in job or program application procedures.
hochladen “hochladen” means “to upload” in “die ... Beispiele ... hochladen”. It is the infinitive after “kann” and is useful for describing sending files to an online portal.
von “von” means “by” in “von Ihnen erwähnte”. It marks the person who mentioned the project summary, so it is useful when identifying who provided or referred to information.
Ihnen “Ihnen” means formal “you” after “von” in “von Ihnen”. It is the formal object form used for the person being addressed and is useful when respectfully referring to something that person said or did.
erwähnte “erwähnte” means “mentioned” in “die von Ihnen erwähnte Projektzusammenfassung”. It describes the project summary as something the addressed person mentioned, and it is useful for referring back to an earlier point.
Projektzusammenfassung “Projektzusammenfassung” means “project summary”. It names the particular work sample the panel considers especially useful, so it is useful when discussing a concise overview of a project.
wäre “wäre” means “would be” in “wäre besonders hilfreich”. It is the conditional form related to “sein” and presents the project summary as especially helpful in a polite or hypothetical evaluation.
besonders “besonders” means “especially” or “particularly” in “besonders hilfreich”. It strengthens the evaluation of the project summary and is useful when emphasizing one item among several.
hilfreich “hilfreich” means “helpful” or “useful” in “wäre besonders hilfreich”. It evaluates the project summary positively, so it is useful when explaining how something could assist a review or decision.
den “den” means “the” before “Kontext” in “den Kontext einbeziehen”. It introduces the specific context being included, and this form is used here for the masculine object of “einbeziehen”.
Kontext “Kontext” means “context” in “den Kontext einbeziehen”. It refers to background information that helps explain the samples, so it is useful when adding relevant surrounding information.
einbeziehen “einbeziehen” means “to include” or “to incorporate” in “den Kontext einbeziehen”. It is the infinitive after “kann” and is useful when adding relevant information to an explanation or evaluation.
ohne “ohne” means “without” and introduces the phrase “ohne ... offenzulegen”. It expresses that the context can be included while a separate unwanted action is avoided, which is useful when describing limits or safeguards.
vertrauliche “vertrauliche” means “confidential” in “vertrauliche Informationen”. It describes information that must not be shared openly, so it is useful when discussing protected professional or client data.
Informationen “Informationen” means “information” in “vertrauliche Informationen”. It is the plural form used for pieces of information that could be disclosed, so it is useful in discussions about data or facts.
Kunden “Kunden” means “clients” or “customers” in “Informationen über Kunden”. It identifies the people connected with the confidential information, so it is useful in business and service contexts.
offenzulegen “offenzulegen” means “to disclose” or “to reveal” in “ohne ... offenzulegen”. It is the infinitive used after “ohne” and expresses the act of making confidential information public.
Dieses “Dieses” means “this” in “Dieses Urteilsvermögen”. It points directly to the judgment just demonstrated, so it is useful when referring to a particular quality or ability in the current situation.
Urteilsvermögen “Urteilsvermögen” means “judgment” or “discernment” in “Dieses Urteilsvermögen”. It refers to the ability to make a sound decision about handling information, so it is useful when evaluating professional judgment.
Umgang “Umgang” means “handling” or “dealing” in “im Umgang mit vertraulichen Informationen”. The expression “im Umgang mit” is a useful pattern for describing how someone deals with a person, thing, or type of information.
mit “mit” means “with” in “im Umgang mit vertraulichen Informationen”. It completes the pattern “Umgang mit” and is useful when naming what is being handled or dealt with.
vertraulichen “vertraulichen” means “confidential” in “vertraulichen Informationen”. It describes the information being handled and shows the form used after “mit” in this plural phrase.
hier “hier” means “here” in “ist hier wichtig”. It refers to the present job and information-handling context, so it is useful for locating an evaluation in the current situation.
wichtig “wichtig” means “important” in “ist hier wichtig”. It evaluates the judgment as significant for this role, so it is useful when explaining which qualities matter in a situation.
Wann “Wann” means “when” and asks about the timing of the review outcome in “Wann kann ich ...?”. It is useful for requesting a time or expected point of contact.
dem “dem” means “the” before “Ergebnis” in “mit dem Ergebnis rechnen”. It is the form used after “mit” here and introduces the specific outcome the speaker is waiting for.
Ergebnis “Ergebnis” means “outcome” or “result” in “mit dem Ergebnis rechnen”. It refers to what the panel will decide after the review, so it is useful when discussing the result of a process.
der “der” means “the” in “der Prüfung”. It introduces the review connected with the result, and here it marks the relationship “the result of the review”.
Prüfung “Prüfung” means “review” or “examination” in “der Prüfung”. In this dialogue it refers to the panel’s review of the application materials, so it is useful for formal checking or evaluation.
rechnen “rechnen” means “to expect” in the expression “mit dem Ergebnis rechnen”. It is the infinitive after “kann” and is useful in the pattern “mit etwas rechnen” when asking about or describing an expected result.
Wir “Wir” means “we” and is the subject of “Wir werden Sie kontaktieren”. It refers to the organization or panel speaking collectively, so it is useful when making a commitment on behalf of a group.
werden “werden” means “will” in “Wir werden Sie kontaktieren”. It is the future auxiliary followed by “kontaktieren”, so it is useful for stating a planned future action.
kontaktieren “kontaktieren” means “to contact” in “Wir werden Sie kontaktieren”. It is the infinitive after “werden” and is useful when promising or describing communication with a person.
nachdem “nachdem” means “after” and introduces “nachdem das Auswahlgremium seine Beratung beendet hat”. It connects one event to a completed earlier event, so it is useful for explaining when a later action will happen.
seine “seine” means “its” in “seine Beratung”. It refers back to the neuter noun “Auswahlgremium” and identifies the discussion belonging to that panel.
Beratung “Beratung” means “discussion” or “deliberation” in “seine Beratung”. It refers to the panel’s internal discussion about the candidate, so it is useful when describing a group’s formal consideration of an issue.
beendet “beendet” means “finished” or “ended” in “seine Beratung beendet hat”. It is the past participle of “beenden” used with “hat” in the clause introduced by “nachdem”, describing a completed discussion.
hat “hat” means “has” in “beendet hat”. It is the auxiliary used with “beendet” to form the completed action in the subordinate clause, so it shows that the panel’s discussion has finished before contact occurs.

Grammar Points

nachdem + Nebensatz

Nachdem das Auswahlgremium die Unterlagen geprüft hat, entscheidet es.

NAHKH-daym dahs OWS-vahl-greh-mee-oom dee OON-ter-lah-gen geh-PROO-ft haht, ent-SHYE-det ess

After the selection panel has reviewed the documents, it decides.

„Nachdem“ leitet einen Nebensatz ein; das konjugierte Verb steht am Ende.

zu + Infinitiv

Es ist nötig, vertrauliche Informationen nicht offenzulegen.

ess ist NUR-tikh, fer-TROW-li-khuh in-for-mah-TSEE-oh-nen nikht OH-fen-tsoo-LAY-gen

It is necessary not to disclose confidential information.

Nach „Es ist nötig“ steht ein Infinitiv mit „zu“; bei trennbaren Verben steht „zu“ im Verb.

German Vocabulary

Auswahlgremium noun
OWS-vahl-greh-mee-oom selection panel; selection committee
Beispiel noun
BYE-shpeel example; sample Beispiele
Bewerbungsportal noun
beh-VER-boongss-por-TAHL application portal
entscheiden verb
ent-SHYE-den to decide
erläutern verb
air-LOY-tern to explain; to clarify
Gespräch noun
geh-SHPRAYKH conversation; interview
hochladen verb
HOHK-lah-den to upload
nötig adj
NUR-tikh necessary; needed
Projektzusammenfassung noun
proh-YEKT-tsoo-ZAH-men-fahs-oong project summary
prüfen verb
PROO-fen to review; to examine
Schritt noun
SHRIT step Schritte
Unterlage noun
OON-ter-lah-guh document; application material Unterlagen

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

document; application material

Show AnswerUnterlagen

to review; to examine

Show Answerprüfen

to explain; to clarify

Show Answererläutern

to decide

Show Answerentscheiden