In fact, I am writing this blog post, to answer to her and to snow, which replied to my last WOYM post. You all know I have always have a low profile here on the forums. And the less thing I want, is to hijack the thread. I promise I will come back and take the time to make a proper update. In the meantime I can summarize that things are going great. We recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary and travel to Hamburg to see the Lion King musical, which was awesome! we also played tourists for a day and a half.
My german skills are way better, but still not as good as I would like to. I feel zero confidence when I have to speak in german. It is weird to explain, but I turn into a person I am not?!? and yes, I hate it!
It is exactly that lack of confidence when expressing myself in german, that have me super nervous about attending the job interview I got days ago. Job interviews can be stressful and if you add lack of confidence to that, I personally think it is not a good combination. Not what I, as a recruiter, will like to find in a candidate I am interviewing. Not matter how many compliments I get from my husband, my in laws or some strangers regarding my german skills and how fast I have learned, I don't believe it! and you have no idea how frustrating that is. Of course they don't understand how I feel, even if they say they do!
I have applied to 3 jobs within 4 months and never made it to the interview. My in laws were always telling me that I should apply to the company my SO works for. Because it is an excellent place to work at, with tons of benefits not many workers here Germany get. Not even my SIL and her husband, which also work for a good company. Anyways, I never found a job offer that call for my qualifications and I also wanted -still want- to improve my german skills, so that I can gain the confidence I lack, so that I can show what I know and can, so that I can express myself correctly in a work environment, etc, before applying for a job at that company.
At the beginning of this month I saw they were looking for a person with some of the qualifications I have, I showed it to my SO and he said: apply for it! And I did, without being 100% sure I wanted to -because of what I already mentioned-. He helped me write the application letter in german and so on. They were of course my ideas, but he made them sound nicer in a language he dominates, because it is his mother tongue. I confess I asked him about many words he wrote there, that I knew in spanish and in english, but had no idea how to write them in german. During the application process online, we were required to answer some stuff, like how much I expect to earn, and my challenges in the position, etc. Most of the answers I told my SO in english and he translated them. I guess this is why I also feel so insecure about it. Because it was in part him who did the whole thing. Not something that you prepare yourself, with your own words and so on.
Anyways, I got the interview two weeks later and it will be on Aug 31. My SO said he will take the day off to drive me to the headquarters -in case I want to scape hahaha-. Lucybelle, you asked about the position. They are searching for an Environmental material compliance referent and snow, regarding your comment. Now you know I understand exactly what you mean about having doubts, language skills wise. And the company, well I know a lot about it, because as I said, my SO works there, though in a different town. Still I have the feeling they will ask something I don't know!
In less than an hour I am having my first driving lesson. That is something that has me super stressed, which is a stress I don't need, because the car we have is automatic, so I could easily apply for a driver's license to drive such cars, BUT everyone here says that is not a good idea, because most company and rental cars are not automatic, so it is better to have a regular Class B driver's license.
Hopefully the teacher is nice and patient. And hopefully I won't screw up. Wish me luck!
Es muy normal estar ansiosa para hacer una entrevista en otro idioma. Seguro ya estas en un punto donde puedes decir lo que quieres, pero no tan bonito como en tu propia lengua. Solo hay que estudiar unas palabras claves para usar en la entrevista! Mi SO habla ingles super bien, pero todavia me manda emailes para revisar porque no tiene confianza en su hablilidad. La unica manera de superar eso es seguir practicando!!
Te deseo mucho exito en tu entrevista y las clases de manejo!!! Y la proxima vez que estoy en Alemania, salimos de fijo!!
I was so scared that I would not be able to explain myself in English and that the employer would ask questions about something that I have never even heard of, but when they found out that I speak 3, almost 4 languages, this was enough for them to be more open towards me and she also helped me when I stumbled over my words.
You will definitely be nervous, but at the same time, think of all the assets you have that they might be looking for, you know? Language is only one part and I'm pretty sure your German is good enough that you will be able to understand whatever needs to be understood and you will be able to explain yourself, even if it might take longer!
I will be crossing my fingers for you (or rather Daumen drücken :P) for your interview!
You'll rock it!!
Lucybelle, sé que no lees el blog porque, a pesar de subir siempre muchas fotos, escribo demasiado, y sé que los textos o escritos largos, no es algo que te guste mucho.