My First Month in Berlin: Learning to Say “I Work Here”

Okay, so here I am, a month into living and working in Berlin. It’s… intense. Exciting, frustrating, beautiful, overwhelming – all rolled into one. I moved here for a job as a junior marketing assistant at a small design agency called “KreativStil,” and honestly, the biggest hurdle hasn’t been learning German (though that’s definitely a work in progress!), it’s been talking about my job.

The Initial Panic – “Was machen Sie?”

The first few weeks, every interaction started with “Was machen Sie?” (What do you do?). I’d stumble through a nervous explanation, using “Ich bin…” (I am…) followed by my job title, and immediately feel like an idiot. My German isn’t bad, but the way Germans approach introductions is just… different. It’s not just a quick “What do you do?” It’s a starting point for a conversation. I realised I was focusing so much on correct German that I wasn’t actually communicating.

Let me give you an example. I was at the bakery, getting a Brötchen (bread roll), and the baker asked “Was machen Sie?” I panicked and blurted out, “Ich bin… Marketing Assistent!” (I am… Marketing Assistant!). He just stared at me, then said, “Ah, Marketing! Das ist gut!” (Ah, Marketing! That is good!) and moved on. No follow-up, no asking about my work, nothing. I felt so awkward.

Building the Right Phrases – Profession Vocabulary

I quickly realised I needed a better toolbox. I started collecting phrases that actually sounded natural. I learned that “Ich arbeite bei…” (I work at…) followed by the company name is a much smoother start to a conversation. For example, I practiced saying, “Ich arbeite bei KreativStil” (I work at KreativStil). It sounds so much more confident!

I also learned some crucial professional vocabulary. “Marketing” itself is perfectly understood, but phrases like “Content Marketing,” “Social Media Marketing,” and “Brand Strategie” (brand strategy) threw me. My colleagues, especially my supervisor, Herr Schmidt, uses them constantly. I took it upon myself to learn them, and it really boosted my confidence. He often says, “Wir arbeiten an einer neuen Kampagne” (We’re working on a new campaign), and now I know exactly what he’s talking about.

Specific Scenarios – Ordering Coffee and Networking

Let’s look at a couple of specific situations. The other day, I was ordering coffee at a local café. The barista, a friendly guy named Luke, asked “Was machen Sie?” I instantly defaulted to “Ich bin…” but then I remembered to add “Ich arbeite bei KreativStil, ich betreibe Online Marketing” (I work at KreativStil, I do online marketing). He responded with “Ah, interessant! Was genau machen Sie denn?” (Ah, interesting! What exactly do you do?). This time, I explained a little more about my role, describing the social media campaigns we were running. It felt…good. More genuine.

Another time, I was at a networking event for creatives. Someone asked me about my job, and I used the phrase, “Ich bin Marketing Assistent bei KreativStil. Wir gestalten Websites und Werbung für kleine Unternehmen.” (I am a Marketing Assistant at KreativStil. We design websites and advertising for small companies.) The person actually asked me more questions about our projects, and we had a proper conversation!

Mistakes and Corrections – Don’t Be Afraid to Ask!

Of course, I’ve made mistakes. There was that one time I tried to explain my role as “Ich bin ein… Marketing-Experte” (I am an… marketing expert!) – bless his heart, Herr Schmidt looked thoroughly confused. Luckily, he gently corrected me and explained that “Experte” is usually reserved for more senior positions. He showed me an example of a Führungskraft (leader) – it’s good to be aware of the hierarchy here!

The most important thing I’ve learned is not to be afraid to ask for clarification. I’ve started saying, “Entschuldigen Sie, könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen?” (Excuse me, could you please repeat that?) or “Könnten Sie das bitte etwas langsamer sagen?” (Could you please say that a little slower?). Germans are generally very patient and appreciate the effort.

My Progress – Baby Steps

I’m still learning, definitely. My pronunciation needs work (I’m trying to master the Umlauten – those tricky vowels!), and I’m slowly building my confidence. But I’m getting there. Each time I successfully explain my job without a massive panic, I feel a small sense of accomplishment. And honestly, learning to say “Ich arbeite bei KreativStil” feels like a small victory in my new life here. Weiterhin viel Erfolg! (Keep up the good work!)