If you’ve worked with a great employee who is applying for a new job, writing a referral letter can help them stand out among other candidates. A referral letter is a document that recommends a job candidate to a potential employer. It’s a way for you to vouch for the candidate’s qualifications and work ethic. In this article, we’ll provide tips and examples for how to write a letter for referral for an employee.
Tips for Writing a Letter for Referral for an Employee
Before we get into the examples, here are some tips to keep in mind when writing a letter for referral for an employee:
- Be specific: Provide concrete examples of the candidate’s skills and accomplishments.
- Be concise: Keep your letter to one or two pages.
- Use a professional tone: Your letter should be written in a formal, business-like style.
- Highlight the candidate’s strengths: Emphasize the skills and qualities that make the candidate a good fit for the job.
- Include your contact information: Make it easy for the potential employer to follow up with you if they have any questions.
Examples of Letters for Referral for an Employee
Letter for Referral for a Sales Manager
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend John Doe for the position of Sales Manager at your company. I had the pleasure of working with John for two years at XYZ Corp, where he was a top-performing sales representative. As his team leader, I was consistently impressed with his ability to exceed his sales targets and motivate his team to do the same.
John has excellent communication skills and is able to build strong relationships with clients. He is also a strategic thinker who is able to identify new opportunities for growth. I am confident that he would be an asset to your sales team and would excel in the role of Sales Manager.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require further information.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
Director of Sales, XYZ Corp
Letter for Referral for a Graphic Designer
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Sarah Lee for the position of Graphic Designer at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Sarah for three years at ABC Design, where she was an integral member of our creative team. Her passion for design and attention to detail were evident in all of her work, and she consistently produced high-quality designs that exceeded our clients’ expectations.
Sarah is an excellent communicator who is able to work collaboratively with clients and team members. She is also proficient in a variety of design software, including Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch. I am confident that she would thrive in the role of Graphic Designer at your company and would be a valuable asset to your team.
If you require any further information, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Tom Wong
Creative Director, ABC Design
Letter for Referral for a Customer Service Representative
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Emily Chen for the position of Customer Service Representative at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Emily for two years at XYZ Services, where she consistently provided exceptional customer service to our clients. Her friendly and professional demeanor helped to build strong relationships with our clients and contributed to our high customer satisfaction ratings.
Emily is an excellent problem-solver who is able to handle difficult situations with ease. She is also highly organized and able to prioritize her workload effectively. I am confident that she would be an asset to your customer service team and would excel in the role of Customer Service Representative.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require further information.
Best regards,
John Kim
Customer Service Manager, XYZ Services
Letter for Referral for a Software Engineer
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Alex Chen for the position of Software Engineer at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Alex for three years at DEF Tech, where he was an integral member of our software development team. His expertise in coding and programming languages helped to develop high-quality software that met our clients’ needs.
Alex is an excellent team player who is able to work collaboratively with his colleagues on complex projects. He is also a quick learner who is able to adapt to new technologies and software. I am confident that he would be an asset to your software development team and would excel in the role of Software Engineer.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Best regards,
Christine Lee
Software Development Manager, DEF Tech
Letter for Referral for a Marketing Director
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Sarah Kim for the position of Marketing Director at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Sarah for four years at GHI Marketing, where she was a top-performing marketing manager. Her strategic thinking and creative ideas helped to launch successful marketing campaigns that met our clients’ goals.
Sarah is an experienced leader who is able to motivate her team to achieve their goals. She is also an excellent communicator who is able to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. I am confident that she would be an asset to your marketing team and would excel in the role of Marketing Director.
If you require any further information or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
David Lee
Vice President of Marketing, GHI Marketing
Letter for Referral for an Accountant
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend James Park for the position of Accountant at your company. I had the pleasure of working with James for two years at JKL Accounting, where he was a diligent and detail-oriented accountant. His expertise in financial analysis and accounting software helped to maintain accurate financial records for our clients.
James is a reliable team player who is able to work collaboratively with his colleagues on complex projects. He is also highly organized and able to prioritize his workload effectively. I am confident that he would be an asset to your accounting team and would excel in the role of Accountant.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or have any questions.
Best regards,
Grace Yoo
Partner, JKL Accounting
Letter for Referral for a Human Resources Manager
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Michael Kim for the position of Human Resources Manager at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Michael for five years at MNO Corp, where he was a dedicated and knowledgeable HR specialist. His expertise in compensation and benefits, employee relations, and performance management helped to create a positive workplace culture for our employees.
Michael is an excellent communicator who is able to build strong relationships with employees at all levels of the organization. He is also a strategic thinker who is able to develop and implement effective HR policies and procedures. I am confident that he would be an asset to your HR team and would excel in the role of Human Resources Manager.
If you require any further information or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Emily Lee
Director of Human Resources, MNO Corp
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a referral letter?
A referral letter is a document that recommends a job candidate to a potential employer. It’s a way for you to vouch for the candidate’s qualifications and work ethic.
What should I include in a referral letter?
Be specific and highlight the candidate’s strengths. Provide concrete examples of the candidate’s skills and accomplishments. Keep your letter to one or two pages and use a professional tone.
How do I address the letter?
Address the letter to the hiring manager or to the person specified in the job posting. If you don’t have a name, use a generic greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager”.
How long should the letter be?
Keep your letter to one or two pages.
Can I use a template for the letter?
Yes, you can find examples of referral letters online and edit them as needed to fit your specific circumstances.
Should I include my contact information?
Yes, include your contact information so the potential employer can follow up with you if they have any questions.
What if I don’t feel comfortable writing a referral letter?
If you don’t feel comfortable writing a referral letter, it’s okay to politely decline. It’s important to only recommend candidates that you feel confident about.
Conclusion
Writing a letter for referral for an employee is a great way to help a job candidate stand out among other applicants. By following the tips and examples in this article, you can write a compelling letter that highlights the candidate’s strengths and qualifications. Remember to be specific, concise, and professional in your letter, and to include your contact information so the potential employer can follow up with you if they have any questions.