„Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war vorbildlich“
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)
“...behaviour towards superiors and colleagues was exemplary...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Internal conduct was flawless, but total silence regarding clients in a client-facing role reveals severe shortcomings in client relations (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
While the rating for internal behaviour is strong, omitting client contact when the job description requires it is a form of eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'). HR professionals evaluating a client-facing role will conclude that external relationships were problematic.
How to fix it
To achieve the highest grade (6.0), the statement can be strengthened and expanded, for example by adding "stets" or "jederzeit hervorragend" and explicitly including clients.
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
- Ihr Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war stets vorbildlichGood (grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war jederzeit vorbildlichGood (Grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war stets vorbildlichGood (grade 5.0)5.0
- Ihr Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war jederzeit vorbildlich und loyalGood (Grade 5.0)5.0
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 „Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war vorbildlich“