ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by Oyibo:4363189

Originally Posted by Rod924

My daughter recently moved back to Germany in order to find work and sort her life out. However, she is struggling to get the correct translation for her schooling and qualifications, and, as she informs me, without them she can`t apply for jobs!!! Erm, really???

Anyway, she is bi-lingual in German/English. Has 11 GCE`s (2 a stars, 3 a`s, 3 b`s and 3 c grades) and 3 A Levels (German A, English B and French C)

So how do these translate in the German Employment market. How is it phrased on her CV (zeugnis) and what else is needed???

Someone out there knows having been through this so your help and guidance is most welcome.

Rod,

I'm no expert on this having only lived in Switzerland for a short time (I assume the zeugnis is the same, or similar, in Germany & Switzerland), but from what I have gathered the zeugnis is a real minefield - the mines being the wording of the document. Apparently there are key phrases used in the zeugnis that are well known among HR types in this part of the world as being innocuous to the layman - think od CRs where one gets 'Satisfactory' in the military: we all now that means effing apalling, but not quite bad enough to sack the person.

The link below is a fascinating insight into the zeugnis:

Zeugnis [reference letter] - Q&A thread - English Forum Switzerland

Thanks for that, will forward that to her too. Really appreciate your input

Or this, which should help:

[url=http://www.enic-naric.net/]ENIC-NARIC.net - Your Gateway to Recognition[/url]

Or here:

[url=http://www.euraxess.de/portal/higher_education_qualifications_in.html]EURAXESS - Higher Education Qualifications[/url] (some good links at the bottom)

Originally Posted by PrinceAlbert:4363202

There is lots of information on the German schooling system here:

Germany Guide: Qualifications, German university degrees and doctorates: There are essentially three types of

Now that`s better Will forward this too many ta`s

[QUOTE=Rod924;4363216]Now that`s better :-) Will forward this too many ta`s[/QUOTE]

Blow it out your arrse ;)

You're better off with this website though: [URL="http://www.enic-naric.net/"]ENIC-NARIC.net - Your Gateway to Recognition[/URL]

Originally Posted by Rod924

Now that`s better Will forward this too many ta`s

Rod, if you need any further help or information, PM me. I do this stuff for a living as a professional translator.

MsG

Originally Posted by BugzDaMick

Rod, if you need any further help or information, PM me. I do this stuff for a living as a professional translator.

MsG

Bugz - no disrespect to your language abilities, but are you conversant with coded phrases in a zeugnitz? German speakers in Switzerland get legal advice on the matter.

Originally Posted by Oyibo

Bugz - no disrespect to your language abilities, but are you conversant with coded phrases in a zeugnitz? German speakers in Switzerland get legal advice on the matter.

For example:

From my interpretation this is, as you suggest, a mediocre reference. Its not a bad reference,has some good elements, but I'd be wanting more.

	Quote:	Zombiekiller
	Zombiekiller erbrachte stets gute Leistungen, die unseren Erwartungen und Anforderungen in jeder Hinsicht entsprachen.

This is saying that, in all aspects, you simply did your job, nothing less but nothing more. The fact that the Zeugnis fails to mention that you had initiative or new ideas, tends to give the impression you simply clock on, work, clock off...nothing more. There is also no comment on your level of motivation of leadership /management skills (if applicable).

	Quote:	Zombiekiller
	Zombiekiller überzeugte durch angenehme Umgangsformen, ein sicheres und sympathisches Auftreten sowie ihre Hilfsbereitschaft. Kunden, Vorgesetzte und Mitarbeiter schätzten ihre freundliche und zuvorkommende Art.

Not really sure how to rate this...maybe someone else can help. but it lacks the clear positive adjectives that a Zeugnis needs.

	Quote:	Zombiekiller
	Zombiekiller verlässt uns heute auf eigenen Wunsch. Wir danken ihr für die Mitarbeit und wünschen ihr für die Zukunft viel Erfolg und alles Gute."

This says you resigned on your own. In a GOOD reference the firm would express their regret / disappointment at your departure (" mit Bedauern"). The fact that this is not mentioned is often taken by many HR people that this company was not upset to lose you, so you weren't valuable to them.

Unfortunately, even if you take the reference to court, you cannot force them to put regret /disappointment in the last paragraph.