„stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit erfüllt und unsere Erwartungen oft übertroffen“
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)
“...always fulfilled to our fullest satisfaction and often exceeded our expectations...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
This indicates outstanding, far above-average performance corresponding to top grade 6.0.
Hidden rating
Excellent (top grade 6.0)
German rating: Hervorragend (Bestnote 6.0)
What it means in detail
Combining superlative language ("vollsten Zufriedenheit") with exceeding expectations represents the highest performance rating in Swiss HR practice. Under art. 330a CO, such phrasing unambiguously signals an exemplary employee. It leaves no room for negative interpretation.
How to fix it
No change required as this is an exceptionally positive formulation.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Keine Anpassung erforderlich. Dies ist eine überdurchschnittlich positive Formulierung.
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 „stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit erfüllt und unsere Erwartungen oft übertroffen“