What does "verstand es, sich durchzusetzen" mean in a Swiss Arbeitszeugnis?

An indication of an egotistical or uncompromising character (grade 3.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale). While this sounds positive at first glance, it is often a code for someone who refused to engage in teamwork and rode roughshod over others.

Which Swiss grade does "verstand es, sich durchzusetzen" correspond to?

It corresponds to a Swiss reference-letter grade of 3.5 on the 1–6 scale (Insufficient).

How can "verstand es, sich durchzusetzen" be corrected?

Rephrase to: "...war durchsetzungsstark, bewahrte aber stets den Konsens im Team" (grade 5.0). Suggested German wording: Umformulieren in: "...war durchsetzungsstark, bewahrte aber stets den Konsens im Team." (5.0)

Swiss reference letter code

„verstand es, sich durchzusetzen“

What this German phrase in your Swiss Arbeitszeugnis (employment reference letter) really says about you – and which grade it hides.

Literal translation (what DeepL tells you)

“...knew how to assert himself/herself...”

What Swiss HR actually reads

An indication of an egotistical or uncompromising character (grade 3.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).

Hidden rating

Insufficient

German rating: Ungenügend

3.5

Swiss grade (1–6, 6 = best)

What it means in detail

While this sounds positive at first glance, it is often a code for someone who refused to engage in teamwork and rode roughshod over others.

How to fix it

Rephrase to: "...war durchsetzungsstark, bewahrte aber stets den Konsens im Team" (grade 5.0).

Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)

Umformulieren in: "...war durchsetzungsstark, bewahrte aber stets den Konsens im Team." (5.0)

Hidden criticism detected (grade 3.5)

Under Art. 330a of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), a reference letter must be true but benevolent. Coded downgrades rarely come alone – the same letter often contains further codes or omissions.

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Relevant court decision

Telling 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.

„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.”

Read the full decision (German)

Related phrases

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