Employer reference for an employee: reference letter example
When to use it
The formal reference a manager or company writes for a current or former employee applying for a new job.
The full letter
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
[Date]
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to recommend [Candidate's full name], who worked at [Company name] as [job title] from [start date] to [end date or "the present"]. I was [his/her/their] direct manager throughout this time.
[Candidate's first name] carried out [main responsibilities] with real ownership. One of [his/her/their] standout achievements was [specific achievement — e.g. "introducing a new reporting system that halved the time to produce reports"]. [He/She/They] stands out for [professional quality 1 — e.g. analytical thinking] and [professional quality 2].
On a personal level, [Candidate's first name] is reliable, well organised and easy to work with. [He/She/They] stays calm under pressure and is always ready to help colleagues.
I recommend [Candidate's first name] without hesitation for any role in [new role or field]. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.
Sincerely, [Your full name] [Your title], [Company name] [Phone] · [Email]
Replace the parts [in square brackets] with your own details. Cut generic phrases; add specific facts and numbers.
💡 Expert tips
- 1Print it on company letterhead and sign it — an official look builds trust.
- 2Replace vague praise like "a good employee" with one or two concrete achievements.
- 3Include a phone number — employers often call to confirm a reference.