“Fluent German required.”
Apply anyway.
You have B2 and real experience. Say it straight, and apply.
No account: paste a job, get a draft.
IHR PROFIL
• 5+ Jahre Produkterfahrung
• Erfahrung mit Pricing und Datenanalyse
• Verhandlungssicheres Deutsch (C1)
• Englisch fließend
You: German B2. Close the tab?
Sound familiar?
- They want C1. I have B2. Why bother?
- Do I write “good German” and hope?
- My German is fine at work, but not on paper.
- I skip every job that mentions German.
Applying for jobs in Germany, Austria or Switzerland without fluent German: short answers
Can I apply if the ad asks for C1 German and I have B2?
Often, yes. Ads list wishes next to must-haves. If your experience matches the core of the role, apply and state your level honestly. Some roles really need fluent German, for example daily customer calls in German. There, a lower level is a real gap.
How do I write my German level on a CV?
Use the CEFR level and where you use it, for example “German – B2, used daily in team meetings”. Avoid words like “good” or “fluent” that a reader can’t check. Add a certificate such as Goethe, telc or TestDaF if you have one.
Should my cover letter be in German?
Write it in the language of the job ad. A German letter for a German ad shows you can work in the language. Make sure you can talk about everything in it at the interview.
How does DraftApply help?
It drafts your cover letter in the job’s language from your CV and the ad, with your level stated the standard way. You review and edit every line before you send it.
Start free. If it helps, CHF 7.90 a week.
5 fit checks, 3 letters and 2 tailored CVs are on us.
Read next: German motivation letter: a complete example, translated and explained