Bundeswehr Interview Questions
& Process

The process was an assessment center day for executives, starting early. It began with a computer-based personality test, followed by preparing and delivering a short presentation on a given topic. Then, there were two group exercises where situations were presented. The day concluded with a 45-minute individual interview with a three-person panel, including a psychologist. The tests were manageable, but the individual interview was very uncomfortable due to extremely detailed questions about the German armed forces, which were difficult to answer given the short preparation time for a lawyer. There were no questions about my professional background or legal experience. I wasn't given a chance to ask my own questions. Afterwards, the results were given immediately, and since I passed, I received a job offer as a lawyer.

Because of Covid 19, only one day of assessment was scheduled. Half an hour before the start (08:00), I had to go to the sports hall in Düsseldorf for a Covid test. Parking there is very difficult. There were 2 groups (blue/green) of max 5 people each. To begin, we received a presentation from 2 rather unfriendly female soldiers. Then we were left alone and had 30 minutes to fill out a personal questionnaire (school, goals, volunteer work, etc.). Afterward, half went to the CAT test and the other half to the medical examination. Between each station, you had to report to the coordination point. I was allowed to briefly remove my mask for the eye test (due to glasses), as well as due to the distance during the CAT test, and for eating. Otherwise, the FFP2 mask I brought had to be worn permanently. The sports test was canceled due to Covid 19. However, this was not entirely clear from the information in the invitations. After the medical examination and urine sample, we proceeded to the security check. Until then, the waiting times were acceptable, max 15 minutes. The staff were mostly very friendly and helpful. After the security check, all applicants were ushered into a break room for at least 1.5 hours, where Bundeswehr YouTube videos were played on repeat. Since you are supposed to have your phones turned off permanently, it is advisable to bring study materials or a book. Afterward, I had about a 10-minute conversation with one of the unfriendly ladies from the welcome and a psychologist. The conversation was rather unpleasant, and I had to justify, for example, my 10-year-old sports grade, whereas my studies in evening school (level 6, thus above Feldwebel) and current certificates were absolutely uninteresting. My hobbies were just belittled (e.g., pets – who looks after them in my absence and daily walks with a German Shepherd is not athletic activity). Questions about career paths, NATO, troop withdrawals, as well as willingness to go on deployment and shoot people, were asked. Standard application questions were also included. Then I was briefly asked to wait outside, and after 5 minutes, I was informed that I could start in a career path below my desired one. With regard to a career change and to give the whole thing a chance, I then went to the planner. He informed me that I could get a position in a year or at the other end of the country. Conclusion: wasted effort and time!

Es wird nach den Grundlagen und Allgemeinwissen der Elektrotechnik gefragt sowie politische Fragen, wie z.B. wer der deutsche Verteidigungsminister/in ist. Dazu noch Fragen zum gebrauch von Waffen. Ob man diese Freizeitmäßig verwendet oder sammelt sowie das Schießen mit einer Waffe einen Spaß macht.

The assessment process had two parts. First, there were about 4 hours of various cognitive tests including matrices, rule of three, memory tasks, and a personality test. The second part involved a short presentation of about 7 minutes and an individual interview that could vary in length but was around 30 minutes long. A group discussion was not possible due to Corona.