What’s an employment reference letter?

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An employment reference letter confirms employment details and highlights positive professional qualities. It should be written in formal language and include specific dates and job titles. It can be written by a boss, co-worker, or supervisor who has worked closely with the candidate.

An employment reference letter is a letter written to an individual’s future employer. Most reference letters help confirm an employee’s employment details with a company, as well as highlight their positive professional qualities. This type of business letter should be written by a professional acquaintance of a prospective employee.

When a candidate is trying to secure a new job, it is recommended that they have at least one employment reference letter. This letter must be written like a business letter. The return address and contact information along with the date must be printed across the top. If known, the recipient address must be entered just below the return address.

Unlike a personal letter, a job reference letter must be written in formal language. Slang expressions and humor, for example, should be avoided. Generally, this type of letter should be written to a specific person at a potential new employer. If the letter writer is unsure of a contact person’s name, he should use a general salutation such as “To Whom It May Concern.”

One purpose of an employment reference letter is to confirm that an individual has worked for the letter writer’s company. Specific dates the individual worked at the company should be included, along with their title or job title. Some employment reference letters may also include salary information.

Another purpose of a job reference letter is to highlight an individual’s skills and strengths. A letter writer might include information about a candidate’s positive attitude or their work ethic. Specific examples of a former employee’s strengths should also be included, if possible. For example, if a former employee helped to reduce a company’s costs, this should be explained briefly in an employment reference letter.

An employment reference letter should not be written by anyone. While a reference letter written by a boss is impressive, one written by a co-worker or supervisor will also work. It is usually best for a job reference letter to be written by someone with whom the candidate has worked closely. This type of letter should also be written by someone with a high opinion of the candidate.

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