Formulations in job references – where are they explained?

For a job application, good references are often half the battle – but the wording in your references must also be right. Since a few years, you not only have the right to a reference, it also has to be worded “favourably”. But behind the many positive phrases, a negative evaluation can often be hidden. On the following websites you can check the phrases for their true meaning and find various tips on what makes a particularly good reference.

Website Arbeitszeugnisse goes abroad and into detail

The website Arbeitszeugnisse knows almost all the tricks of the trade when it comes to references and evaluations and, in addition to the basics in performance appraisals, also offers other extras: apart from the preparation of references and a personal check, all services are free of charge.

• The secret code system is demonstrated using 40 typical formulations as examples. Most of the codes are now no longer unknown and can even be challenged in court.

• Special coding options, such as restrictive wording, invalidations and ambiguities, are also presented in detail using various practical examples – they provide the finishing touches to the employer’s reference. Ambiguous statements in particular, which cannot be precisely classified as positive or negative and are often formulated in the passive voice, give a bad picture of the employee. For example, if an executive secretary’s independent work is not appreciated, this does not reflect well on the employee.

• Furthermore, there is a separate soft skills corner where clever phrases from “resilience” to “reliability” are assessed.

• Special highlight. There are many tips on international job references.