Letters of reference / performance evaluation practices

Upon termination of the employment relationship or for other individual reasons (e.g., application purposes), employees are entitled to a written reference specifying the nature and duration of their occupation.

Legal regulations on job references are set forth in Section 35 TV-L (PDF, in German only)

Qualified and unqualified references must be distinguished:

• Unqualified references provide only personal details, what type of position you held, and the start and end date of your employment.
• Qualified references also provide an evaluation of your performance.

A professional reference puts the employee’s skills and abilities into perspective.

We assist superiors and supervisors in writing references for their staff. Our guidelines on writing references (Leitfaden zur Erstellung von Arbeitszeugnissen, in German only) provide a concise description of the structure and contents of a reference letter. Furthermore, samples illustrate wording suitable for references.

Use our reference template for technical, administrative and library staff. References for academic staff are written on the responsible superior’s or supervisor’s official letterhead.

Please find further information on "Beurteilungswesen" (evaluation practices) here.