field / métier
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field
A field of expertise, profession, or area of activity in which someone has special knowledge and skills and knows their way around well.
Die Programmierung von Datenbanken ist sein Metier.
Database programming is his field.
'Metier' (field/métier) is a loanword from French ('métier'). This explains its pronunciation and why it differs from typical German words. It often gives a statement an educated tone.
Er beherrscht sein Metier wie kaum ein anderer.
He has mastered his field like almost no one else.
The word is almost always used in the construction '[something] ist [jemandes] Metier' ([something] is [someone's] field). It is preceded by a possessive pronoun (mein, dein, sein) or a genitive (des Bäckers).
Die Organisation von großen Veranstaltungen ist genau ihr Metier.
Organizing large events is exactly her field.
The negative expression 'Das ist nicht mein Metier' (That is not my field) is especially common. It is used to politely express that you know nothing about a particular topic.
Frag mich bitte nicht nach Computern, das ist absolut nicht mein Metier.
Please don't ask me about computers; that is absolutely not my field.
profession / occupation
'der Beruf' and 'das Metier' can both refer to an area in which someone works or has expertise. 'der Beruf' is the normal word for the work someone does to earn money. 'das Metier' sounds a bit more special and emphasizes skill, experience, and a field of expertise. It is often used when someone is really confident in an area, for example in art, a craft, or a specialized area of work. The words can be confused because they overlap. In practical terms: for official or everyday work, 'Beruf' usually fits best; for the area someone is especially good at, 'Metier' fits well.
Gute Texte zu schreiben ist ihr Metier.
Writing good texts is her field.
Der Beruf als Elektriker verlangt viel Genauigkeit.
The occupation of electrician requires a lot of precision.