German

I took the B2 "für den Beruf" exam in occupational German in early March.

In early April I got the result. I passed with a score of 80%. Actually 80.25% which is graded as a Note 2 - good. Note 1 - very good is what I achieved for the B1.

According to an owner of a German school I met at the AGBC that means I'm almost fluent.

Fast fließend mein Arsch.

Anyway I put this acheivement down on my c.v.

At the interview in Bonn yesterday I was asked if I would prefer to speak in German or English and a compromise was reached. Introductions in German, then I would speak about myself in English then more in German.

(For the job it is essential to have English only).

But that's the thing: as soon as people switch into English no-one switches back. That is one of the reasons I am not fluent in German yet. One word of English and the die is cast.

Not that I was complaining.

Travel

So, I can travel to Beijing or Tokyo, and ater reaching the hotel go and lead a meeting, or run for 20 minutes on a treadmill.

But yesterday I went to Bonn for the day (which is about the same time in total in terms of train travel) and return exhausted and am still exhausted today.

Anyway the interview went well and I had a nice ice cream (afterwards).

about me

Not sure if I mentioned this but I have an about.me page.

Good but all the examples are really creative with great photographs.

I just have a head shot and my usual "elevator pitch".

So, I need to have a good photo taken but I don't want to spend money on do that as I'm not sure the return will be significant (that is, it will make a difference in me getting a job).

Tiring

Well that was a tiring Saturday morning.

I hate having to dress for work and going into an office on the weekend.

And that's what I had to do today.

Except it was worse than that as I don't actually have a job.

It was Munich's American German Business Club's Exchange event. Three seminars and the opportunity to network. Held at KPMG's offices. A good event except it meant getting up early (that is, before midday).

Earlier during the week I had finally got around to getting my own business cards.

I had been meaning to do this for weeks. In fact, I had earlier opportunities to give cards to people I had met but I didn't have any (and this is someone who has been on business trips to Japan).

So, before this event, I made sure to get some.

And yesterday I had a haircut as well, just to be safe.

Anyway, today I gave out three of the hundred business cards I had - all to people who already knew me.

Interview!

In two weeks time for a major company, in Bonn.

Good start to the week.

Oh, and they would be paying very well (and the Bonn, Düsseldorf region is cheaper than Munich).