So you’ve been asked to write a reference letter for someone! Congratulations. This is a sign that the person who asked you trusts your judgement enough for you to write such a letter for him or her. It may seem like a daunting task to those who never wrote one before but it’s not as difficult as one would think. Below are some links that will get you started.
For writing reference letters for a fellow co-worker I recommend reading the article “How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for a Co-Worker” by Jen Hubley Luckwaldt. For writing reference letters for a former employee a good article that outlines some important things to include, an article titled “Writing a Reference Letter (With Examples)” written by Ali Hale is an excellent resource.
Regardless if you’re a former co-worker or employer, the basics apply. Be honest and straight forward. Whomever the letter is intended to be read from is in the business of hiring and reviewing potential candidates and there is a good chance you will get a phone call from them as part of the review process of the candidate. Honestly goes a long way and being straight forward saves a lot of time for writer and the reader.
