Learn Hardcore German: Nach dem Probetag bekomme ich eine freundliche Rückmeldung zu meinem Lebenslauf. - After the trial day I receive friendly feedback on my CV.

Because nach always takes the dative case. Probetag is masculine, so its dative singular article is dem. You could also say Nach einem Probetag (“after a trial day”) with the dative of the indefinite article.

What exactly is a "Probetag," and is it common?

A Probetag is a “trial day” at a company where you try out the job. It’s a compound: Probe (trial) + Tag (day), gender is masculine (der Probetag), plural Probetage. Synonyms: Probearbeitstag, and in AT/CH often Schnuppertag.

Why is it "bekomme ich" and not "ich bekomme" after the time phrase?

German main clauses follow the “verb-second” rule. The first position is taken by Nach dem Probetag (a time phrase), so the finite verb bekomme must be second, and the subject ich comes after it: Nach dem Probetag bekomme ich …

Can I start with the subject instead?

Yes: Ich bekomme nach dem Probetag … Same meaning; fronting the time phrase just highlights the timing.

Why is the present tense used for a future event?

German often uses the present for scheduled or expected future events: Nach dem Probetag bekomme ich … Future with werden is also possible (werde … bekommen), but less necessary in everyday style. More formal verb: erhalte.

What’s the difference between "Rückmeldung" and "Feedback"?

Both are common. Rückmeldung is the native German word (“response/feedback”). Feedback is widespread in business German. Collocations: eine Rückmeldung geben/erhalten, Feedback geben/bekommen. “Feedback” can be used as countable or uncountable in modern usage.

Is "eine freundliche Rückmeldung" idiomatic?

Yes, but it describes the tone (friendly/polite), not the outcome. For the result, people often say eine positive Rückmeldung (a positive response). Rückmeldung alone is neutral: simply “a response”.

Why is it "eine freundliche Rückmeldung" and why does "freundliche" end in -e?

Rückmeldung is feminine. It’s the direct object (accusative), and with the indefinite article eine, the adjective takes -e: eine freundliche Rückmeldung. Note: singular countable nouns in German normally need an article, so you can’t drop eine here.

Why "zu meinem Lebenslauf" and not "über/für meinen Lebenslauf"?

With Rückmeldung, zu + dative is the natural way to say “regarding/concerning.” Über (“about”) is fine with words like “report/information,” but with feedback, zu is idiomatic. Für would mean “intended for,” which isn’t the idea here.

Why "meinem" and not "meinen" in "zu meinem Lebenslauf"?

Because zu takes the dative. Lebenslauf is masculine, and the dative of mein (my) is meinem. Quick guide for dative with “mein”:

masculine/neuter: meinem
feminine: meiner
plural: meinen (+ usually an -n on the noun: z. B. zu meinen Lebensläufen)

Could I use "zum" here?

Only when it’s zu dem. For example, zum Lebenslauf = zu dem Lebenslauf. You can’t contract zu meinem; so zu meinem Lebenslauf is correct as is.

Is "auf meinen Lebenslauf" acceptable?

Generally no for feedback. Auf is common with Antwort/Reaktion on something (e.g., Antwort auf meine Frage), and with Bewerbung many say Rückmeldung auf meine Bewerbung. But for Lebenslauf, Rückmeldung zu meinem Lebenslauf is the idiomatic choice. Auf meinen Lebenslauf tends to be read literally (“on top of my CV”).

Do I need a comma after "Nach dem Probetag"?

No comma is needed. Don’t confuse nach dem (preposition + article) with nachdem (subordinating conjunction), which does take a comma and sends the verb to the end: Nachdem der Probetag vorbei ist, bekomme ich …

Why are "Probetag," "Rückmeldung," and "Lebenslauf" capitalized?

All German nouns are capitalized. Adjectives like freundliche are lowercase unless they are part of a proper name or used as nouns.

Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky sounds here?

Rück-: the ü is like French “u” [y], not “oo.”
nach: the ch is the harsh (like Scottish “loch”).
Tag: final g is devoiced, sounding like [k].
-lauf: diphthong au like “ow” in “cow.”

Can I move "zu meinem Lebenslauf" earlier in the sentence?

Yes, word order is flexible for emphasis: Nach dem Probetag bekomme ich zu meinem Lebenslauf eine freundliche Rückmeldung. The most neutral flow keeps it at the end. Just maintain the verb-second rule.