Need a reference letter example?
In this reference letter example, the writer rates the employee very highly:
| Dear Mr Smith Thank you for your letter of 5 July. Jane Hodgson has been working for our company as an assistant product manager for the last three years. She is a very reliable and dedicated member of the team and her work has always been of a high standard. She has strong organisational skills and a good eye for detail. She has also successfully deputised for the product manager at several high-profile strategic meetings. Jane is always conscientious, a good team player and has an excellent character. We wish her every success, but we shall also be very sorry to lose her. Yours sincerely |
Notice that the letter is brief, to the point, and refers to specifics of the job role she has been offered, as well as information on her character and performance.
Example of a less favourable reference
If you are asked to supply a reference for someone whose performance is less exemplary, keep it general. Do not be rude or defamatory about the referee as this can cause problems – in some countries it is illegal.
Instead be cautious, and remember that the reader will be as just as aware of what you don’t say, as in the following reference letter example:
| Dear Mr Smith Thank you for your letter of 5 July. Jane Hodgson has been working for our company for the last three years and is a competent assistant product manager. She has always been hard-working and a good team-player. In response to your question over whether we would employ Jane again, I do not feel that this would be appropriate at present as we cannot give her the promotion she feels she deserves. However, we do understand her wish to advance her career, and wish her every success in the future. Yours sincerely
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