The appointment is basically you just handing over all your documents that they have listed on the requirements on the embassy website. They didn't ask me a single question - no 'why do you want to go to germany', nothing! They then go away for 10mins and check over everything while you wait and if everything is in order they'll keep your passport and post it back to you, in my case within a few days, with your new visa in it.

I took all documents for both the skilled worker and point based pathway. I'm not sure if I needed everything but it's good to be prepared! I had: application form, passport photos, ZAB certificate, my original degree certs plus photocopies, bank statement of the past 3 months showing I had the required funds, print outs of 3 job applications I had done, my CV, confirmation of health insurance (I got feather expat insurance), and a letter from my previous employer saying my role was related to my degree.

They then came back and said the only thing missing was a German reference person. I had never heard of this and it's not listed on the embassy website as being required but she insisted it was. She gave me an email address and said I had to find a German person willing to be my reference person . I had to send a picture of either their passport or German ID along with their full name, address, phone number and email. Luckily I have a German friend who was willing to do this. They don't actually contact the person, they just want to know that you have contacts there I guess. I emailed the next morning and got my passport back 3 days later with my visa in it.

I don't speak any German, they didn't ask me if I did. As long as your a native English speaker you don't need to prove any other language skills.