German Arbeitszeugnis: How to Decode Reference Codes

Under German labor law (§ 109 GewO), employers must write reference letters (Arbeitszeugnisse) that are benevolent and do not harm the employee’s future career. Because companies cannot write openly negative reviews, German HR departments developed a codified language. Every sentence sounds polite, yet experienced recruiters immediately recognize whether an employee received an A or a D.

If you apply for jobs in Germany, recruiters expect you to attach these references to your application. Here is how to read between the lines.

The Grade Scale in Standard Formulas

The heart of any German reference letter is the overall performance rating (Leistungsbeurteilung). A single missing adjective changes the meaning entirely:

• Very Good (Grade 1): “Er/Sie erledigte die Aufgaben stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit.” (Both stets / always and vollsten / fullest are present).
• Good (Grade 2): “Er/Sie erledigte die Aufgaben stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit” or “zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit.” (One superlative is missing).
• Satisfactory (Grade 3): “Er/Sie erledigte die Aufgaben zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit.” (Average performance. Solid, but without special praise).
• Adequate / Barely Passing (Grade 4): “Er/Sie erledigte die Aufgaben zu unserer Zufriedenheit.” (The minimum required performance).
• Unsatisfactory (Grade 5): “Er/Sie war bemüht, die Aufgaben zu unserer Zufriedenheit zu erledigen.” (War bemüht is the classic phrase meaning the employee tried, but failed).

The Order of People in the Social Behavior Section

Pay close attention to the conduct section (Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten, Kollegen und Kunden). The order of mention matters:

1. Correct order: “Das Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten, Kollegen und Kunden war stets vorbildlich.” (Supervisors come first, colleagues second, external parties third).
2. Warning sign: “Das Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen und Vorgesetzten war einwandfrei.” If colleagues are mentioned before managers, it signals tension or conflict with leadership.
3. Severe warning sign: If managers or customers are omitted completely, hiring managers assume there were serious relationship issues with that specific group.

The Closing Paragraph Matters Most

The final paragraph of an Arbeitszeugnis reveals the true sentiment of your employer. A strong closing must contain four distinct elements:

• Reason for leaving: Voluntary resignation (auf eigenen Wunsch) vs. mutual agreement (im besten gegenseitigen Einvernehmen).
• Regret: Expression of regret regarding your departure (Wir bedauern sein/ihr Ausscheiden sehr).
• Gratitude: Thanks for your collaboration (Wir danken für die stets sehr gute Zusammenarbeit).
• Future wishes: Best wishes for both professional and personal success (Wir wünschen für den weiteren Berufs- und Lebensweg weiterhin viel Erfolg und alles Gute).

If the closing line only wishes you success “für die Zukunft” without expressing regret or thanks, recruiters read it as Grade 4 or 5.

What to Do If Your Reference Is Weak

German labor courts consistently rule that employees have a right to an accurate, fair reference letter (usually Grade 2 by default unless the employer can prove poor performance). If you spot problematic phrasing, contact your former HR department within a few weeks and ask for an adjusted draft. Most employers agree to polite corrections rather than risking legal disputes.

When you score your application in Zusaga, your resume and credentials are checked against German employer expectations before you submit.