de-arbeitszeugnis-decoder

name: de-arbeitszeugnis-decoderdescription: "Decode a German employment reference (Arbeitszeugnis): translate the coded phrases into the grade they signal, check the structure and the closing formula, spot omissions and hidden negatives, and draft a correction request. Use when asked was bedeutet mein Arbeitszeugnis, decode my German reference letter, welche Note hat mein Zeugnis, is 'stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit' good, or how do I ask for my Zeugnis to be corrected. Produces a sentence-by-sentence reading with implied grades, an overall grade estimate, a list of missing or damaging elements, suggested replacement wording and a polite correction letter in German. Not legal advice."version: 1.0.0

Arbeitszeugnis Decoder (Germany)

A German reference must be both truthful and benevolent, so criticism is expressed through a settled code: what is praised, how strongly, in what order, and what is left out. A sentence that reads as praise to an outsider can signal a mediocre grade to a recruiter. This skill reads the reference the way a German HR reader does. It explains conventions; it does not give legal advice, and grading conventions are customary, not statutory.

What This Skill Produces

• A sentence-by-sentence reading: the phrase, what it signals, the implied school grade from 1 (very good) to 5 (poor)
• An overall grade estimate with the reasoning
• A structure check: are all expected sections present and in the usual order?
• Omissions and phrases that readers treat as warnings
• Replacement wording for the weak points
• A correction request to the employer, in German

Required Inputs

Ask for these if not provided:

• The full text of the reference, in German
• Whether it is a simple reference (einfaches Zeugnis: role and duration only) or a qualified one (qualifiziertes Zeugnis: performance and conduct)
• Role, seniority and length of service
• How the employment ended and who initiated it
• What grade the employee believes is fair, and any performance reviews supporting it
• Whether an interim reference (Zwischenzeugnis) exists

Framework

1. Expected structure. Heading; introduction with name, role and dates; job description; performance assessment (knowledge, working style, results, for managers also leadership); summary performance grade; conduct towards superiors, colleagues and clients; reason for leaving; closing formula with regret, thanks and good wishes; place, date and signature.
2. The satisfaction scale (summary performance sentence):
   • "stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit": 1
   • "stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit": 2
   • "zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit": 3
   • "zu unserer Zufriedenheit": 4
   • "im Großen und Ganzen zu unserer Zufriedenheit" or "hat sich bemüht": 5 or worse
3. Intensifiers carry the grade. "stets", "jederzeit", "in jeder Hinsicht", "außerordentlich" lift a sentence; their absence lowers it.
4. Conduct order. Superiors are normally named first, then colleagues, then clients. A changed order or a missing group is read as a problem with that group.
5. Omissions speak. No mention of an obviously central duty, of honesty for a cashier, or of leadership for a manager is a negative signal.
6. Closing formula. Regret at the departure, thanks, and wishes for the future signal a good parting. A bare or missing closing lowers the overall impression. Courts have held there is generally no enforceable claim to a closing formula; say so and tell the user to check the current position.
7. Warning phrases. Praise for trivial matters, "gesellig", "verstand es, seine Interessen durchzusetzen", passive constructions around results, and double negatives such as "nicht unerheblich".
8. Formalities. Company letterhead, issue date close to the last day, signature by a person senior to the employee, no spelling errors, no marks or emphasis.
9. Correction. The employee can ask for a correction and, failing that, bring a claim; contractual and collective-agreement cut-off periods can be short. Advise acting promptly and checking the contract.

Output Format

Zeugnis reading: [role], [employer]

Type: [simple / qualified]. Overall estimate: grade [x] ([label]), because [reason].

Structure check

Problems

• [omission or warning phrase and why it matters]

Suggested wording

Correction request (German)

[Polite letter naming the passages, proposing wording, and setting a reasonable date.]

Assumptions and gaps

• [Context assumed about role or ending]
• [What supporting evidence would strengthen the request]

An interpretation of customary reference language, not legal advice. For a dispute, consult a specialist employment lawyer or a union.

Quality Checks

• The summary performance sentence is identified and graded on the scale
• Conduct sentence order and completeness are checked
• The closing formula's three elements are checked separately
• Each problem cites the exact wording
• Proposed wording stays truthful to the role
• The correction letter is in German and courteous

Anti-Patterns

• Do not read German reference phrases literally.
• Do not promise a legal right to a specific grade or closing formula.
• Do not propose wording that claims duties the employee never had.
• Do not ignore formal defects such as a wrong date or missing signature.
• Do not grade from one sentence. Weigh the whole document.

Example Trigger Phrases

• "Was bedeutet 'zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit' in meinem Zeugnis?"
• "Decode this Arbeitszeugnis and tell me what grade it is."
• "There is no closing sentence wishing me well. Is that bad?"
• "Write a letter asking HR to correct my Zeugnis to a grade 2."

Run this skill in your browser: https://mohitagw15856.github.io/pm-claude-skills/skill/de-arbeitszeugnis-decoder.html