  Here we present linear and circular polarized soft x-ray absorption
spectroscopy (XAS) data at the Ce $M_{4,5}$ edges of the electron (Ir) and
hole-doped (Re) Kondo semiconductor CeOs$_2$Al$_{10}$. Both substitutions have
a strong impact on the unusual high N$\acute{e}$el temperature, $T_N$=28.5\,K,
and also the direction of the ordered moment in case of Ir. The substitution
dependence of the linear dichroism is weak thus validating the crystal-field
description of CeOs$_2$Al$_{10}$ being representative for the Re and Ir
substituted compounds. The impact of electron- and hole-doping on the
hybridization between conduction and 4$f$ electrons is related to the amount of
$f^0$ in the ground state and reduction of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. A
relationship of $cf$-hybridization strength and enhanced $T_N$ is discussed.
The direction and doping dependence of the circular dichroism is in agreement
with strong Kondo screening along the crystallographic $a$ direction.
