„jederzeit absolut vorbildlich und loyal“
What this German phrase in your Swiss Arbeitszeugnis (employment reference letter) really says about you – and which grade it hides.
Literal translation vs. real meaning
Literal translation (what DeepL tells you)
“...at all times absolutely exemplary and loyal...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The employee demonstrated very good, faultless conduct towards all hierarchical levels, corresponding to a strong rating (grade 5.0 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Good (Grade 5.0)
German rating: Gut (Note 5.0)
What it means in detail
This phrase reflects very positive interpersonal behavior and loyalty within the organisation. While it signifies clear, flawless conduct across all levels, Swiss HR benchmarks evaluate top marks (grade 6.0) against specific superlative combinations. It remains a distinctly positive evaluation under art. 330a CO standards.
How to fix it
To upgrade the reference to the top mark (grade 6.0), the wording can be strengthened by inserting adverbs such as "stets" or "jederzeit hervorragend".
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Zur Aufwertung auf die Bestnote (6.0) kann die Formulierung verstärkt werden, z.B. durch Einfügen von „stets“ oder „jederzeit hervorragend“.
One good phrase ≠ a good certificate
Swiss employers often hide weaknesses elsewhere – in the conduct section, in the closing statement or through omissions (“telling silence”). Check whether the rest of your letter keeps up.
Check your whole certificate freeTelling silence & social conduct
Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365 vom 9. Mai 2020, E. 2.4
The Administrative Court of the Canton of Zurich describes the practice of “telling silence” (beredtes Schweigen): if a quality that would normally be mentioned is left out, the reader concludes that it is missing. Leaving out one group of people when describing conduct (e.g. superiors) is generally read as a hint at negative behaviour.
Read the full decision (German)„Darunter gehört, wenn etwa bei der Verhaltensbeurteilung nur das Verhalten zu Mitarbeitern und Kunden erwähnt wird, nicht aber jenes zu Vorgesetzten.“
Unofficial translation: “This includes, for example, a conduct assessment that mentions behaviour towards co-workers and customers, but not towards superiors.”
Related phrases
Decode your entire reference letter
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „jederzeit absolut vorbildlich und loyal“