Job reference letter to ask for an employment reference and to ask someone to be your reference.
If you want to ask someone to act as a reference and write an employment reference letter for you, this sample letter and email can easily be adapted for your own use.
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
Your Contact numbers
Your E-mail
Date
Reference Name
Title/Position
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr Jones
I am currently involved in searching for a new position and would appreciate your help. I would like to include you in my list of references as someone who has a good knowledge of my skills and abilities.
If you are willing to act as one of my references I will include your name, title and contact details on my reference list and I will keep you updated about possible contact from a potential employer.
At this point, I would be grateful if you would write a letter of recommendation for me to include with my job search documents. I would appreciate it if you could outline my responsibilities while at XYZ Company and attest to the skills and abilities I demonstrated in the job.
Please let me know if you are comfortable with this request and if there is any information I can provide in connection with this.
Sincerely,
John Candidate
Dear Susan
I am applying for a new position and would like to include you as a reference. Having worked together for some time I regard you as someone who has a good knowledge of my work abilities and performance and who will provide a valid employment reference.
I need a job
reference letter to include with my application and I would be grateful
if you would write an employment reference for me. The application
closing date is Date and I can either collect the letter or you can email it to me before this date.
Please let me know if if there is any information I can provide in connection with this.
Thank you for your assistance.
Jane Jobseeker
You will also need to provide the names and contact details of individuals that will provide a verbal reference to a prospective employer. It is essential that these people are asked if they are prepared to provide a verbal reference and are not caught unawares when receiving a call from the employer. This sample email requesting a verbal reference is easy to adapt for your own use.
What is a professional reference and who can I ask to provide a reference?
It is important to politely thank your reference for the recommendation either by email or letter. This ensure that you maintain your professional connections and are well set up for future requests for a reference.
Use this sample employment reference letter to see what a professional letter of reference should include.
Be prepared for the reference and background checks employers typically conduct on job candidates.
Job candidates with little or no work experience may need to use character references. Find out more here.
Need a job reference letter after a layoff? These sample reference letters will help with this.
Having good references can be the deciding factor in getting the job you want.
Plan ahead and make sure you get the recommendation letter you need.