„Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten war jederzeit 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 was exemplary at all times...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Swiss HR notes good upward conduct, but the deliberate omission of colleagues suggests significant team conflicts or unpopularity among peers (grade 5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Good (grade 5.0)
German rating: Gut (Note 5.0)
What it means in detail
In a standard Swiss 'Arbeitszeugnis', conduct statements typically list superiors, colleagues, and external partners together. Leaving out colleagues represents eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), signaling friction within the team. While the relationship with management was praised, the overall impression is tarnished by this selective omission.
How to fix it
To upgrade the reference to the top grade (6.0), the phrasing can be reinforced by inserting words like "stets" or "jederzeit hervorragend" alongside mentions of all relevant groups.
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
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war jederzeit vorbildlichGood (Grade 5.0)5.0
- Ihr Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war jederzeit vorbildlich und loyalGood (Grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten, Kollegen und Agenturpartnern ist jederzeit vorbildlichGood (Grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten, Kollegen und Kunden war jederzeit vorbildlichGood (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 war jederzeit vorbildlich“