Checking Your Swiss Reference Letter: The Most Important Tips
In Switzerland, a reference letter (Arbeitszeugnis) remains one of the most important documents when looking for a job. It not only confirms your duration of employment but also gives a new employer deep insight into your performance and conduct. However, critical messages are often hidden behind benevolent phrasing.
The Truth Behind the Codes
In Switzerland, the principle is that reference letters must be formulated in a "truthful and benevolent" manner. This means that open criticism is rarely expressed directly. Instead, employers use so-called "reference codes". If it says you completed tasks "to our satisfaction" ("zu unserer Zufriedenheit"), this often corresponds only to a satisfactory (passing) grade. "Always to our fullest satisfaction" ("stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit"), on the other hand, is a clear "excellent".
Also watch out for missing information. If a project manager's ability to work well in a team is not mentioned, that is a loud silence.
Key Points You Must Check
When you receive your reference letter, you should critically check the following points:
- Personal details and dates: Are your name, date of birth, place of origin (Heimatort), and the exact dates of employment correct?
- Job description: Are your most important activities and responsibilities fully listed?
- Performance and conduct evaluation: How was your performance rated? Are there hidden negative codes?
- Closing sentence: Does the closing sentence include the reason for leaving the company, thanks for the work performed, and good wishes for the future? A lack of gratitude is a strong negative signal.
If you feel that your reference letter is not fair, you have the right to request a correction. First, seek a conversation with the HR department.
Well Prepared for Your Next Application
With a reviewed and strong reference letter, you are ready for the next step. To perfect your overall presentation, you should also bring your CV and cover letter up to date.
The PARAT application tool helps you create a professional CV according to Swiss standards in no time. This way, your entire application dossier will perfectly match your excellent reference letter. You can find more tips on optimizing your CV in our article on the application photo according to Swiss standards.
