Employment Reference Letter Sample

Most employers ask for references to consult with when they are considering hiring a new employee. Reference letters are also often requested for applications to college or other educational institutions.

If you need a reference letter for a potential employer, it can be helpful to see what exactly is expected from this kind of letter, especially if you've never written one before. To help structure a reference letter, you can look at an employment reference letter sample.

General Structure of a Reference Letter

A reference letter should start off with a brief introduction to its author, followed by an explanation of how the author knows you. This can include when he or she worked with you and in what capacity. Dates could be included here, as well as any other relevant facts about how the referrer knows about you, your history and your specific skills or work ethic.

The next section can go into specifics about your skills and knowledge and why the referrer would recommend you. If you worked for the referrer, for example, she could list all the duties you performed under her supervision. If the referrer is a teacher or professor, she could explain what kinds of projects you worked on together and how strong she feels your skills are.

The reference letter can wrap up with a summary and a statement of recommendation by the referrer. An employment reference letter sample from a reliable online source can help refine the structure.

Who Should You Ask for a Reference Letter?

Technically almost anyone you know could serve as a reference, but ideally you should pick referrers who can provide information about your strengths in areas that relate directly to the job or position you are applying for. A reference from your Kindergarten teacher won't carry as much weight as a reference from a college professor, for example, and a reference from your boss at Burger King won't carry much weight if you're applying for a job in computer engineering. So be sure to ask for relevant references that will help you get ahead in your job search.