Short Answer
Requesting a formal interim reference letter locks in your current performance evaluation before organizational changes occur.
Securing this document prevents an incoming supervisor from unilaterally downgrading your established track record.
What Most Expats Don't Realize
You spent three years delivering exceptional project results under a manager who verbally promised you a promotion. Your manager unexpectedly resigned, and you failed to request an official interim reference letter before their final departure date. The replacement department head did not value your past achievements and issued a mediocre final assessment, costing you a €5,000 annual salary increase and ruining your external application profile.
What To Do
- Email your direct supervisor the morning they announce their departure to request a formal performance evaluation.
- Print a detailed list of your completed corporate projects and structural milestones from the past twelve months.
- "Ich bitte um die Ausstellung eines qualifizierten Zwischenzeugnisses aufgrund des bevorstehenden Vorgesetztenwechsels." (I request the issuance of a qualified interim reference due to the impending change of supervisor.) — send this written demand to HR to anchor your professional grades.
The Truth
German managers change frequently. A "Zwischenzeugnis" is your insurance policy; it prevents a new, mean boss from ruining years of your hard work with one bad final reference.