Decoding German Arbeitszeugnis References
Learn how to read and audit your German employment reference letters. Understand the hidden codes HR uses and avoid red flags.
If you’ve spent any time in the German tech scene, you know that the Arbeitszeugnis (Employment Reference) is a weird, bureaucratic beast. In most countries, a reference is a quick phone call or a LinkedIn “recommendation.” In Germany, it’s a legal document that every developer is entitled to when they leave a job.
German law requires these letters to be “benevolent” (wohlwollend), meaning an employer isn’t allowed to say anything that ruins your future career. To get around this, HR departments developed a “coded” language. What looks like a compliment to you might actually be a Grade 4 (Fail) to a German recruiter.
Here is how to audit your own reference letter before you attach it to your next application.
The “Standard Scale” Secret
Recruiters scan for specific phrases that map directly to the German grading system (1-5). If your letter doesn’t use these exact words, it’s a red flag.
| Phrase in your letter | The Actual Grade | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| …stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit. | 1 (Very Good) | You were a rockstar. |
| …zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit. | 2 (Good) | You did a great job. |
| …stets zu unserer Zufriedenheit. | 3 (Satisfactory) | You were “fine,” but didn’t go above and beyond. |
| …zu unserer Zufriedenheit. | 4 (Sufficient) | You did the bare minimum. |
| …im Großen und Ganzen zu unserer Zufriedenheit. | 5 (Deficient) | You were a nightmare to work with. |
Pro Tip: Look for the word “stets” (always). If it’s missing, it implies your performance was inconsistent.
The “Social Conduct” Trap
There is a specific order in which people are listed when describing how you got along with the team.
The Good Version: “His/her behavior towards superiors, colleagues, and customers was always exemplary.”
The Red Flag Version: “His/her behavior towards colleagues and superiors was good.”
Why does this matter? If “colleagues” comes before “superiors,” it often implies you were a “rebel” - someone who got along with the team but had issues with authority. If “customers” is missing entirely and you were in a client-facing role, it’s a sign you shouldn’t be put in front of a client again.
The “Closing Formula” (The Real MVP)
The end of the letter is where the employer expresses their “regret” over you leaving. This is often the most telling part.
A “Grade 1” Ending: “We regret his departure very much and thank him for his excellent cooperation. We wish him all the best for the future.”
A “Grade 4” Ending: “He is leaving us. We wish him luck for the future.” (Notice the lack of “regret” or “thanks”).
If the letter doesn’t say they are sorry to see you go, it basically tells the next recruiter: “We’re glad this person is finally someone else’s problem.”
Technical Skills: Don’t Let HR Be Too Generic
If you’re a Senior DevOps Engineer and your letter just says you “worked with computers,” it’s useless.
When you leave a company, you usually get to see a draft of your Zeugnis. This is your chance to push back. Make sure they list your specific stack: “Expertise in Kubernetes, Terraform, and scaling high-availability microservices.”
If HR is too lazy to include the tech, offer to write that bullet point for them. Most HR people will thank you for doing their job.
Evidence From The Field
A study published by Haufe HR confirms that over 70% of German HR professionals consider the Arbeitszeugnis the most important document for verifying a candidate’s “social competence” and “willingness to perform.”
Furthermore, research by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg into vocational psychology suggests that even in modern tech hubs like Berlin, the absence of a “Very Good” (Grade 1) reference can lead to a significant drop in interview invitations for senior-level roles.
Summary: The “Bugs” To Look For
- Missing “Stets”: Implies you were “sometimes” good.
- Missing “Vollsten”: Drops you from a Grade 1 to a Grade 2.
- Missing “Regret” at the end: The biggest red flag of all.
What You Should Do Next
Take out your most recent Arbeitszeugnis and check it against these criteria. If you spot any red flags, you may want to request a correction from your former employer - German law entitles you to a fair and accurate reference.
If you need help analyzing your reference or want feedback on your application materials, feel free to send us your documents for a free review.