Employee Reference Letter Templates

Need to write an employee letter of recommendation? Find our Employee Reference Templates for outlining the best qualities of your employees. 

Links to Employee Reference Templates

Employee Reference Letter Template

Dear [Employer/HR Manager],

I am writing this letter to provide a reference for [employee’s name], who worked at [company name] from [employment start date] to [employment end date] as a [position/title]. During their employment at our organization, [employee’s name] exhibited a high degree of professionalism, dedication, and expertise in their work.

[Employee’s name] was responsible for [brief description of their job responsibilities]. They demonstrated excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and was able to effectively collaborate with their colleagues to achieve our team’s goals. They consistently met or exceeded their performance targets and demonstrated a strong work ethic and attention to detail.

One of the things that impressed me the most about [employee’s name] was their ability to adapt to new situations and learn quickly. They were always willing to take on new responsibilities and go above and beyond what was required of them. They also demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, and I frequently relied on their expertise to help me navigate complex issues.

[Employee’s name] was a valuable member of our team, and their contributions were greatly appreciated. They consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and was well-liked by their colleagues. I believe that [employee’s name] would be a great asset to any organization, and I highly recommend them for any position they may be pursuing.

If you have any further questions regarding [employee’s name] or their employment with us, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Company Name]

[Signature]

Employee Letter of Recommendation

[Your Name] 

[Your Job Title] 

[Your Company Name] 

[Your Company Address] 

[City, State ZIP Code] 

[Your Email] 

[Today’s Date] 

To Whom It May Concern, 

This letter serves as a reference for [Employee Name], who worked for [Your Company Name] from [Employment Start Date] to [Employment End Date] as a [Employee’s Job Title]. 

[Employee Name] has continually shown excellent work ethics, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work independently or as a member of a team throughout his/her tenure. He or she was a crucial member of our team, and we were able to accomplish our goals and objectives thanks to his or her efforts. 

Quick to pick up new skills, [Employee Name] is always eager to take on new duties. He or she is meticulous, excellent at prioritizing duties, and excellent at managing their workload. Additionally, he or she possesses excellent communication skills, which have enabled him or her to forge close bonds with stakeholders, coworkers, and customers.  

I have no reservations about suggesting [Employee Name] for any position that may be available. He or she is a dependable, competent, and committed worker who would be a benefit to any company. I have no doubt that he or she will succeed in all of his or her future undertakings. 

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you need any additional details. 

Sincerely, 

(Your Name) 

FAQ

How do you write a strong employee reference letter?

A former employee who produces an effective letter of recommendation for another person can get a better job or progress in their career. Here are some pointers for creating a solid letter of recommendation for a worker:

  • Strong Opening: Start the letter with a compliment about the employee and your working connection.
  • Include Specific Examples: To emphasize the employee's abilities, accomplishments, and strengths, use specific examples. To substantiate your assertions, provide statistics, metrics, or other quantifiable information.
  • Focus on Relevant Skills: Highlight the employee's relevant skills for the job they are applying for and explain why they make them a strong candidate.
  • Be Honest: Be truthful in your evaluation of the employee while emphasizing their favorable traits. It is preferable to decline an offer if you are unable to offer a favorable recommendation than to do the opposite.
  • Keep it Professional: Avoid overly emotional language in the message and keep the tone objective and professional.
  • Highlight Cultural Fit: Mention in the letter whether the employee was a strong cultural fit for your company, as this could be a selling point for the new employer.
  • Strong suggestion at the End: End the letter with a strong suggestion for the employee and a promise to provide more details upon request.

Make sure the letter is written professionally and remember to proofread it for typos and grammar mistakes. By using the advice in this article, you can create an effective letter of recommendation for a former employee that will help them advance their careers.

What should you not say in an employee reference letter?

Avoid making certain claims in your employee reference letter that might make it more difficult for the employee to get a new position. What not to state in an employer reference letter includes the following:

  • Negative Comments: Avoid making any unfavorable remarks about the employee's work or demeanor. Even if the employee had some flaws, it is preferable to highlight their accomplishments.
  • Personal Opinions: Personal biases or viewpoints that are not backed up by factual or statistical evidence should be avoided. Be professional and stick to the facts when writing the message.
  • Confidential Information: No confidential information about the employee, such as their pay or job reviews, should be included.
  • False Information: The recommendation letter must not contain any fabrications. Falsely representing an applicant's abilities or accomplishments could reduce their chances of landing a position and put them in legal hot water.
  • Criticism of Previous companies: Avoid making disparaging remarks about the employee's prior companies' work environments. This might give the employee a bad impression and imply that they are not a team member.
  • Negative Language: Refrain from using words that portray the employee as unqualified for or incapable of fulfilling the duties of the new position.

Keep in mind that it is your duty as the author of the recommendation letter to give a truthful and unbiased evaluation of the worker's abilities and performance. To help the employee land the new job, it's crucial to find a balance between being truthful and emphasizing their strong points.

What strengths should I include in employee reference letters?

The employee's attributes and accomplishments should be emphasized when composing an employee reference letter. You can highlight the following qualities in a job reference letter:

  • Work Ethic: Emphasize the employee's willingness to put in a lot of effort and endure in trying circumstances.
  • Leadership: If the worker displayed leadership qualities, mention it in the message. Emphasize their capacity for managing teams, as well as their success at motivating others.
  • Communication Skills: If the employee possesses effective communication skills, state it in the letter. This might include their capacity for producing quality writing, making thoughts come across clearly, or paying attention.
  • Problem-Solving: Mention in the letter if the employee showed good problem-solving abilities. Give instances of the complex problems they were able to solve, the innovative solutions they found, or the initiative they showed in resolving problems.
  • Adaptability: If the worker demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, mention it in the message. Emphasize their capacity to adapt to new circumstances, collaborate with diverse individuals, and welcome change.
  • Technical abilities: If the applicant possesses particular technical abilities that are pertinent to the position for which they are seeking, mention them in the cover letter. Describe how they used their knowledge of a particular tool or piece of software to accomplish results.
  • Teamwork: If the worker performed admirably in a collaborative setting, note it in the letter. Emphasize their capacity for cooperation, idea sharing, and teamwork.

Remember to back up your assertions about the employee's strengths with concrete examples and data. This will help the employee stick out from other applicants and strengthen the persuasiveness of your reference letter.