Wie kann ich mein Arbeitszeugnis selber schreiben?
How can I write my own reference?
If you have requested a reference from your employer and they tell you that you should write it yourself and submit it to them for signature, this is a unique opportunity for you to receive a reference that accurately reflects and values your working style and commitment. But beware, it is not as easy as you might think to create a professional reference. There are a few points you should pay attention to. Start the letter with an introductory sentence that includes your name, date of birth and length of employment. Then write about your career within the company and describe the tasks and activities you most recently carried out. Then describe your achievements, which should include the following points:
- Willingness (commitment, sense of duty, diligence, extra work, determination,...)
- Ability (organizational talent, flexibility, perseverance, judgment, resilience, creativity,...)
- Professional knowledge and continuing education, further training (application, content, initiative, certificates, educational successes,...)
- Working methods (reliability, initiative, planning, methodology, conscientiousness,...)
- Work success (speed, intensity, accuracy, target achievement, quality, return on investment, quantity, etc.)
- Performance summary
Your conduct should then be analyzed, i.e. your ability to work in a team, popularity, cooperation and management style within the company or your conduct towards customers, business partners and suppliers based on corresponding characteristics such as customer satisfaction, negotiating strength, demeanor, etc. A sentence on your other behavior and special features, followed by a closing sentence, thank-you phrase and wishes for the future, concludes the reference.
