„arbeitete sehr selbstständig“
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)
“...worked very independently...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
This denotes a good level of independence on the job (grade 5).
Hidden rating
Good
German rating: Gut
What it means in detail
It confirms that the employee was capable of managing duties without requiring constant supervision.
How to fix it
Can be enhanced to "stets äusserst selbstständig und zielorientiert" for a grade 6.0.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Kann durch "stets äusserst selbstständig und zielorientiert" (6.0) gesteigert werden.
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 freeRight to a full reference letter
BGE 129 III 177
The leading Federal Supreme Court decision on the employee’s statutory right to a full (qualified) reference letter: it must address both performance and conduct.
Read the full decision (German)„Ein qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis (Art. 330a Abs. 1 OR) muss sich sowohl zu den Leistungen wie auch zum Verhalten des Arbeitnehmers aussprechen.“
Unofficial translation: “A qualified reference letter (Art. 330a para. 1 CO) must address both the performance and the conduct of the employee.”
Related phrases
Decode your entire reference letter
Upload your Arbeitszeugnis and get your overall Swiss grade, the number of issues found and a short legal assessment – explained in English.
Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „arbeitete sehr selbstständig“