'References and Arbeitszeugnis in Germany: What Kinds of Recommendations

When looking for a job in Germany, the term Referenzen refers to professional references: contacts or documents that confirm your experience, reliability, and the quality of your work. These should not be confused with a cover letter. A cover letter explains your motivation for a specific job opening, while references help the employer verify your past work performance.

In German job applications, references can take various forms: an Arbeitszeugnis from a former employer, a separate letter of recommendation, or a list of people the recruiter can contact with your permission. Not every job opening requires references right away, but for many positions, they strengthen your application and help you advance to the final stage of the selection process.

How References Differ from a Cover Letter

The cover letter (Anschreiben) is part of your application. In it, you explain why you’re interested in the position, which of your skills match the requirements, and why you want to work for this particular company. The letter is usually about one page long and should not simply repeat the information in your resume.

References serve a different purpose. They confirm your professional reputation from an outside perspective: that you have indeed performed similar tasks, worked as part of a team, honored agreements, taken responsibility, and achieved results.

In short, the difference is as follows:

Document	Who prepares it	What is it for
Resume	Candidate	Highlight experience, education, skills, and career progression
Cover Letter	Candidate	Explain your motivation and how you’re a good fit for the specific job
Arbeitszeugnis	Former employer	Describe the period of employment, responsibilities, results, and work conduct
References	Former supervisor, colleague, client, or instructor	To confirm your competencies and provide the employer with additional verification

What Is an Arbeitszeugnis?

Arbeitszeugnis is a German employment certificate or reference issued by an employer upon termination of employment. According to § 109 of the Gewerbeordnung, an employee in Germany is entitled to a written employment certificate. At a minimum, it describes the type and duration of employment. Upon the employee’s request, the document must also include an evaluation of their work and conduct; this version is usually referred to as a qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis.

It is the Arbeitszeugnis that often serves as the primary reference in a German application package. If you have previously worked in Germany and have such documents from past employers, it’s usually a good idea to include them with your application if the job posting requests a complete set of documents or if Zeugnisse are relevant to your profession.

If you haven’t been issued a reference, you can contact HR or your former employer and request one in writing. For your current job, you may sometimes be asked to provide a Zwischenzeugnis—an interim evaluation—for example, when there’s a change in management, an internal transfer, or when preparing for an internal or external application.

What types of references can you use if you don’t have an Arbeitszeugnis?

New immigrants, recent graduates, and professionals who have not previously worked in Germany may not have a German Arbeitszeugnis. This is normal. In such cases, you can use other forms of verification:

• a letter of recommendation from a former supervisor;
• contact information for a former manager or team lead who is willing to provide a reference;
• a recommendation from a client, if your work was project-based;
• a reference from a professor, academic advisor, or internship coordinator;
• Certificates, portfolios, and project results should be provided as supplements, not as substitutes for references.

If a reference is not written in German or English, some employers may require a translation. For a standard application, an English version is often sufficient, but for regulated professions, government agencies, and formal procedures, the requirements may be stricter.

When to Send References to an Employer

You don’t always need to include your references’ contact information right away. If the job posting specifies vollständige Bewerbungsunterlagen, the employer may expect a resume, cover letter, diplomas, certificates, and Zeugnisse. If references aren’t explicitly requested, you can include a neutral phrase in your resume or cover letter such as: Referenzen auf Anfrage — references upon request.

It’s good practice not to disclose your references’ personal phone numbers or email addresses unless necessary. First, obtain the person’s consent, clarify which language they’re comfortable communicating in, and let them know which position you’re applying for. This way, the reference will be more accurate and won’t compromise trust.

Who Is Suitable as a Reference

Recommendations from people who have actually seen you work and can speak to your performance in detail are most effective. Job title is important, but not in and of itself. A strong recommendation from your direct supervisor is usually more helpful than a formal letter from someone with a high-ranking title who has hardly worked with you.

Suitable options:

• a former direct supervisor;
• project manager;
• a senior colleague who supervised your work;
• a client or customer for freelance and consulting work;
• a teacher or internship coordinator for entry-level positions.

You should not list relatives, friends with no professional connection, or people who are not familiar with the details of your work. German employers value specifics: tasks, responsibilities, the quality of your work, communication style, and reliability.

How to Prepare a List of References

If an employer asks for contact information, prepare a separate short document or a neat section at the end of your resume. Usually, two or three people are sufficient.

For each reference, please provide:

• first and last name;
• your job title and the company you worked for at the time;
• your professional connections;
• email or phone number, if the person has agreed;
• language of communication;
• a brief note indicating which projects or tasks they can confirm.

Don’t exaggerate your relationship with the person providing the reference. If someone was your supervisor for only one short project, state that clearly. Honest, specific details make a stronger impression than grandiose but vague statements.

Common Mistakes

The most common issues with references when looking for a job in Germany:

• confusing Anschreiben and Referenzen;
• sending people’s contact information without their consent;
• attaching too many irrelevant letters;
• Use references that are not related to the specific job you’re applying for;
• hiding the fact that you don’t have a German Arbeitszeugnis instead of providing alternative proof;
• translating the document so freely that the meaning of the evaluation changes.

If you have several documents, choose the ones that best demonstrate the requirements of the specific job opening. For a technical role, projects and the quality of your work are more important; for a leadership role, people management, accountability, and team results are key; and for a client-facing role, communication and reliability are essential.

Mini-Checklist Before Submitting Your Application

Before submitting your documents, check the following:

• whether the job posting asks for Arbeitszeugnisse, Referenzen, or vollständige Bewerbungsunterlagen;
• Do you have permission from your references to be contacted?
• Do the references align with the experience listed on your resume?
• Are the job titles, companies, and dates clear to a foreign employer?
• Do you need a translation of the document?
• Are you sending unnecessary personal information?

FAQ

Is it possible to look for a job in Germany without references?

Yes. Many candidates apply without a separate list of references. References may be requested later, especially as the selection process nears its final stage. If you don’t have a German Arbeitszeugnis, emphasize your resume, relevant projects, diplomas, certificates, and your willingness to provide contact information upon request.

Do you need to include all your old Arbeitszeugnisse?

Not always. For an experienced professional, it’s best to select documents that are relevant to the target position and cover key stages of your career. If the employer requests a complete set of documents, follow the instructions in the job posting.

Can I use LinkedIn recommendations?

They can serve as an additional bonus, but they rarely replace an Arbeitszeugnis or contact information for an actual reference. For a German job application, documents and people who can confirm your specific experience are more important.

What should you do if your former employer abroad isn’t familiar with the German format?

Ask for a standard letter of recommendation describing your role, the duration of your employment, your responsibilities, your achievements, and your strengths. The German format is helpful, but for international experience, employers generally understand that documents may vary.