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How To Write A Reference Letter
By Jason Taingahue
Learning and knowing how to write a reference letter could be the make or break for another. So i am going to give you a few details about how to write a reference letter.
When learning how to write a reference letter the first thing that must be decided, is what type of reference letter it is. There are 2 main types of reference letters that you can write, a character reference letter and a professional reference letter.
Being able to write an accurate reference letter is very important.
Character reference letter:
A character reference, is a letter you can write that tells someone the personal traits and qualities of a person. You must know this person well enough to be able to describe what type of person they are. Just as the title says you are providing a character reference and so this entails describing the character of the person that you are providing the reference for. Character references may be used by landlords, employers and or non-profit organizations to get an overall view of what type of person you are and the personal qualities and attributes that you will bring to their property, job or organization. Some employers or landlords may want to give you a phone call and talk one on one about the person you are providing the reference for, so be sure that if you are writing a character reference that you are available to also talk to someone about the person. Start the letter with the persons name and how long you have known them for. On the next paragraph write all the personal qualities that this person has shown you over the time you have known them. Don't' write down any examples at this time but at the end of the letter, leave an open invitation for them to call you and discuss the person that you have provided the reference for.
Professional reference letter:
This is probably the more widely used written reference. The professional reference is to let prospective employers know what type of worker the person you are providing the reference for is. In a professional reference you include the timeliness of the person, the quality of work that they produce and any professional attributes that they displayed whilst in your employment. Make sure you include any skills that they bought into the company and how they utilized them. A professional reference that you write, could be the difference between a person getting a job or missing out on the job. Be prepared for a prospective employer to give you a phone call to discuss the person that you provided the reference for. A professional reference should be started with the persons name, and how long the person was employed by you, or your company. The next paragraph should include the duties that the person performed whilst employed, and the way that they performed them. On the last paragraph, leave an open invitation for the prospective employer to give you a call to discuss the person further.
When you write a reference, regardless of whether they are character or professional, you need to be honest. They need to be factual and concise as well. Be prepared to field calls from people interested in the person that you have written the reference for, and be honest with them if they do call. Don't feel obligated to write a reference letter but rather wait for someone to ask you to do so. Do, however, remind your staff or friends that you will write a reference letter should they need one.
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