What does Bizet's 'Carmen' have to do with your job interview? The overture that captivates from the first note
Why hiding is the riskiest strategy in a Job Interview – and What to Do Instead
Published on by Gernot Sauerborn
Sometimes, when I start preparing a new client for a job interview, I feel transported back to my old music class. But not in a nostalgic, warm way. More like a flashback to an impatient teacher, a dusty vinyl player, and the overture of Bizet's Carmen.
My teacher couldn't wait. He thought the volume was too low. So he cranked the dial – way, way up. And then those first, famous bars of the Carmen overture exploded out of the speakers. Loud. Brash. Irresistible. Within seconds, every person in the room was hooked. You couldn't look away, even if you wanted to.
That is the power of an overture that grabs you.
But here is what I observe with many of my clients – especially those who speak German as a second or third language.
They do the exact opposite.
They try to sneak into the interview room. They lower their voice. They make their gestures smaller. They answer questions in short, careful sentences, as if their greatest goal were to become invisible and inaudible. As if the ideal outcome were: “Well, at least nobody noticed me.”
I understand where this comes from. You don't want to make mistakes. You don't want to seem arrogant. You want to be polite. But here is the reality of job interviews in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland):
The first minutes are your big stage
In most interviews, the hiring committee will hand you this stage on a silver platter. They will ask you one of these classic, almost ritualistic opening questions:
- “Tell us about the important milestones in your life.”
- “What journey has led you to us today?”
- “We've read your CV. Now tell us in your own words: Who are you and what drives you?”
Did you notice? They are not asking for a simple “yes” or “no”. They are not asking for a recitation of your employment dates. They are inviting you to perform your overture. They are giving you a microphone and a spotlight for 3, 4, or 5 minutes.
And now you have a choice.
Choice A: The Carmen overture (full of passion, energy, presence)
You step onto that stage with sparkling eyes. You tell your story not as a dry list of facts, but as a journey of professional passion. You talk about what genuinely fascinates you – even if your grammar stumbles. You make them feel why you care.
The result? Your interviewers lean forward. They stop taking notes. They start listening with curiosity. They might even forget that your German article declensions are not perfect.
Choice B: The insecure sleeping pill (quiet, safe, forgettable)
You answer in fragments. You look down at your hands. You say “I have worked in logistics for eight years” in a flat, careful tone. You finish each sentence as quickly as possible to minimise the chance of error.
The result? Your interviewers become polite but distant. They start checking their phones (mentally, at least). They think: “Seems competent, but… no energy. Let's move on.”
There is no neutral option. If you choose to “play it safe” and hide, you are not being neutral. You are actively choosing to bore your listeners from minute one.
How to become the Carmen overture (without being loud or arrogant)
You don't need perfect grammar. You don't need a flawless accent. You need professional passion – and a simple three‑part structure:
- Start with the passion. “What really drives me is creating safe, efficient food production lines – especially for baby food.”
- Show how your journey shaped that passion. “That's why I first studied process engineering. Then I took a job in a dairy plant, where I learned X. But I realised I wanted to go deeper into hygiene standards, so I moved to Y…”
- End with the present and the future. “And that's why I am so excited about this role at your company. Because here I can finally combine my love for automation with my obsession for microbiological safety.”
When you tell this story – with a little energy in your voice, with genuine enthusiasm – you become captivating. You become the Carmen overture.
And here is the special note for my fellow migrants with German as a foreign language (DaF): Your interviewers will stop counting your genitive errors. They will not notice that you said “mit das System” instead of “mit dem System”. Why? Because they are too busy being pulled in by your energy, your clarity of purpose, and your passion for their industry.
A slightly broken but heartfelt “I love solving logistics puzzles” will always, always win against a grammatically perfect but lifeless “I have worked in logistics for eight years.”
Moving on With Systemic Solution Oriented Coaching
In my systemic solution‑focused coaching for migrants, we do not drill grammar or rehearse standard answers. Instead, we focus on one core shift: moving from hiding to captivating. And that often means leaving the “safe but invisible” path – and trying something new with real self‑assurance.
Here is how you can benefit from coaching specifically on the Carmen‑overture principle:
- Identifying your hidden passion language – Many migrants have never been asked: “What part of your work genuinely excites you, even when no one is watching?” We find that spark together. Then we turn it into a 3‑minute story that feels natural – not rehearsed.
- Practicing loudness in a safe space – In coaching, you are allowed to sound “too enthusiastic”. You are allowed to make mistakes while being fully present. We simulate the interview situation and then reflect: “How did it feel to take that space? What happened in your body? What did you notice about the interviewer's reaction?”
- Reframing “mistakes” as signals of courage – Most migrants believe that every grammar error is a loss of points. In our sessions, we test the opposite: speak with 70% perfect grammar but 100% passion. Then speak with 95% perfect grammar but 20% passion. Which one gets the better response? The evidence will surprise you.
- Designing small, bold experiments – For example: “In your next real interview, consciously speak 20% louder than feels comfortable. Then observe what changes.” We treat each interview as an experiment, not a life‑or‑death test. This reduces anxiety and opens up playful learning.
- Addressing the cultural “don't show off” voice – Many migrants come from cultures where humility means staying quiet. We gently explore: “Is that rule serving you here? What would happen if you allowed yourself to shine for just three minutes – and then returned to being humble afterwards?”
My goal is not to turn you into a fake extrovert. My goal is to help you recognise: your invisibility is a learned strategy from a past context. In the D‑A‑CH job market, that strategy often backfires. Coaching gives you the permission and the tools to try something new – with self‑assurance, not arrogance.
If you want to practise your own Carmen overture (in German, Spanish, or English), let's talk. We will start with one question: “What would you say if you were not allowed to be careful?”
Register here to be informed when I publish a new article. Only new posts on job application and interview confidence. No spam.
My insights are grounded in my daily work with international professionals and executives navigating the job market and workplace culture in German-speaking countries. As an experienced manager, management consultant, systemic coach, and business-oriented German language teacher, I combine a practical understanding of business expectations with a deep appreciation of the challenges of working across cultures. Having lived and worked internationally, I understand how to make professional experience, individual strengths, and personal identity visible in a new professional environment.
I offer a free chemistry call to personally connect, share how I work with clients, and see if my coaching approach aligns with your goals.
It's the perfect opportunity to decide if we're a good match for your interview preparation.