5 Tips for Writing a Powerful Employment Personal Reference Letter

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Table of Contents

This video provides a sample recommendation letter for an employee. It is a great resource for anyone who needs to write a recommendation letter for a job application.

Introduction

A personal reference letter is a written statement from someone who knows you well that can be used to support your job application. It can be a valuable asset to your application, as it can provide the hiring manager with insights into your character, skills, and work ethic that they may not be able to get from your resume or cover letter.

In this article, we will discuss five tips for writing a powerful employment personal reference letter.

Tip #1: Be Specific

When writing a personal reference letter, it is important to be specific about your knowledge of the applicant. This means providing specific examples of their skills, accomplishments, and contributions.

For example, instead of saying “The applicant is a hard worker,” you could say “The applicant consistently exceeded sales goals by 15%.”

Here are some specific examples you can include in your letter:

Specific skills and abilities the applicant has
Specific accomplishments the applicant has achieved
Specific contributions the applicant has made to their previous employers

By providing specific examples, you will help the hiring manager get a better understanding of the applicant’s skills and abilities, and why they would be a good fit for the position.

Tip #2: Be Credible

The hiring manager will want to know that the person writing the reference letter is credible. This means that you should be someone who knows the applicant well and can speak to their skills and abilities firsthand.

If you are not sure if you are the right person to write the reference letter, you can always ask the applicant if they have any other suggestions.

Here are some tips for writing a credible reference letter:

Get to know the applicant. The more you know about the applicant, the more credible your letter will be. Take the time to talk to them about their work experience, skills, and abilities.
Be specific. Don’t just say that the applicant is a “hard worker” or a “team player.” Provide specific examples of their work ethic and teamwork skills.
Be honest. Don’t exaggerate the applicant’s skills or abilities. Be honest about their strengths and weaknesses.
Proofread your letter. Before you send your letter, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors.

By following these tips, you can write a credible reference letter that will help the applicant stand out from the competition.

Tip #3: Be Positive

The purpose of a personal reference letter is to help the applicant get the job. Therefore, it is important to be positive in your letter.

This does not mean that you have to sugarcoat things, but you should focus on the applicant’s strengths and accomplishments.

Here are some tips for writing a positive personal reference letter:

Start with a strong introduction. Introduce the applicant and explain how you know them.
Highlight the applicant’s strengths. What are the applicant’s best qualities? What are they good at?
Provide specific examples. Don’t just say that the applicant is a hard worker. Give specific examples of times when they went above and beyond.
Be enthusiastic. Your enthusiasm for the applicant will come through in your writing.
Proofread your letter carefully. Make sure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

By following these tips, you can write a positive personal reference letter that will help the applicant get the job.

Tip #4: Be Professional

When writing a personal reference letter, it is important to maintain a professional tone. This means avoiding slang, humor, and personal attacks.

It is also important to proofread your letter carefully before submitting it.

Here are some tips for writing a professional personal reference letter:

Use formal language and avoid slang or informal expressions.
Avoid using humor, as this can be misinterpreted.
Do not make personal attacks or negative comments about the person you are writing about.
Be specific and provide examples of the person’s skills and accomplishments.
Proofread your letter carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.

By following these tips, you can write a professional personal reference letter that will help the person you are writing about get the job they want.

Tip #5: Be Timely

When asked to write a personal reference letter, it is important to submit it as soon as possible. The hiring manager may be looking for letters quickly, and a timely submission will show that you are supportive of the applicant and that you take their job search seriously.

If you are unable to submit the letter on time, you should let the applicant know as soon as possible. This will give them the opportunity to find another reference or to contact the hiring manager to explain the delay.

Here are some tips for writing a timely personal reference letter:

Set a deadline for yourself. When the applicant asks you to write a letter, set a deadline for yourself to have it completed. This will help you stay on track and avoid procrastination.
Gather your information. Before you start writing, gather all of the information you will need to include in the letter. This may include the applicant’s resume, job description, and any other relevant information.
Start writing early. Don’t wait until the last minute to start writing. Give yourself plenty of time to draft and revise your letter.
Proofread your letter carefully. Before you submit your letter, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.

By following these tips, you can write a timely and well-written personal reference letter that will help the applicant land their dream job.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a strong employment personal reference letter can be a valuable way to help a friend or colleague get the job they want. By following the tips in this blog post, you can write a letter that is clear, concise, and persuasive.

Here are a few key things to remember when writing an employment personal reference letter:

Start by stating your relationship to the applicant.
Highlight the applicant’s skills and experience.
Provide specific examples of the applicant’s work ethic and accomplishments.
Be enthusiastic and positive in your assessment of the applicant.
Proofread your letter carefully before submitting it.

By following these tips, you can write an employment personal reference letter that will help the applicant stand out from the competition.

Bonus Tip: Use Images

Images can be a great way to add visual interest to your reference letter and make it more memorable for the hiring manager. You can use images to illustrate the applicant’s skills, accomplishments, or work ethic.

For example, if the applicant is a graphic designer, you could include an image of one of their designs.

Here are some tips for using images in your reference letter:

Choose high-quality images that accurately represent the applicant’s skills and experience.
Make sure the images are relevant to the applicant’s job application.
Place the images in strategic locations throughout the letter.
Use captions to explain the images and provide additional context.

By following these tips, you can use images to create a more visually appealing and persuasive reference letter.

References

Here are some helpful resources on how to write an employment personal reference letter:

These resources provide detailed instructions on how to format your letter, what information to include, and how to write a strong recommendation.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when writing an employment personal reference letter:

Be specific. Don’t just say that the person is a “hard worker” or a “good employee.” Instead, provide specific examples of their work ethic, skills, and accomplishments.
Be honest. Don’t exaggerate or oversell the person’s qualifications. Just be honest about their strengths and weaknesses.
Be brief. A personal reference letter should be no more than one page long.
Proofread your letter carefully. Typos and grammatical errors will make you look unprofessional.

I hope these resources help you write a strong employment personal reference letter!

Lora Turner

Lora Turner is an Experienced HR professional worked with the large organizations and holding 15 years of experience dealing with employee benefits. She holds expertise in simplifying the leave for the employee benefits. Contact us at: [email protected]