When an employee leaves a company, it is customary to provide them with a reference letter that they can use to secure future employment. A reference letter should provide a brief overview of the employee’s job responsibilities and accomplishments while working for the company. It is important to keep the letter professional and to the point. Here are some tips and examples to help you write a reference letter for an employee leaving your company.
Tips for Writing a Reference Letter for Employee Leaving
Before you start writing a reference letter for an employee leaving your company, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Use a formal, professional tone.
- Be concise and to the point. Avoid elaborate language.
- Include the employee’s job title, dates of employment, and a brief description of their job responsibilities.
- Provide examples of the employee’s accomplishments while working for the company.
- Be honest and truthful in your letter.
- Offer to provide additional information if needed.
- Allow the employee to review the letter before submitting it.
You can find examples of reference letters for employees leaving your company online that you can edit as needed to fit your specific situation. Here are some examples to get you started.
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Excellent Performance
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. During your tenure at our company, you consistently demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, dedication, and a strong work ethic. You were an outstanding [Job Title], and your contributions to the company are greatly appreciated.
You were an excellent team player and were always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. Your ability to work well under pressure and complete projects on time and within budget was exemplary. Your exceptional communication skills and positive attitude made you a valued member of our team, and we will miss you greatly.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and would be more than happy to provide any additional information or recommendation that you may need.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Good Performance
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. During your tenure at our company, you consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. You were a valued member of our team, and your contributions to the company are appreciated.
You were always punctual and responsible, and your attention to detail was exceptional. Your ability to work well under pressure and complete projects on time was commendable. Your positive attitude and willingness to help others made you a respected member of our team.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and am confident that you will be successful in your new role. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or recommendation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Average Performance
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. During your tenure at our company, you demonstrated a willingness to learn and improve your skills. While your performance was not outstanding, you were a valued member of our team, and your contributions to the company are appreciated.
You were always punctual and responsible, and you completed your work on time. You were a good team player and were willing to help others when needed. Your positive attitude and willingness to learn made you a respected member of our team.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that you will continue to improve your skills and knowledge. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or recommendation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Poor Performance
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. During your tenure at our company, you struggled to meet the expectations of your job responsibilities. While your performance was not satisfactory, you were a valued member of our team, and your contributions to the company are appreciated.
You were always punctual and responsible, but you struggled to complete your work on time and with accuracy. Your poor communication skills and lack of attention to detail were concerning. However, your willingness to learn and improve was commendable.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that you will take the lessons learned from our company and apply them to your next position. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or recommendation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Short Tenure
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. While your tenure at our company was short, you demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. You were a valued member of our team, and your contributions to the company are appreciated.
You were always punctual and responsible and completed your work on time. Your positive attitude and willingness to help others made you a respected member of our team. Your communication skills were excellent, and you were able to work well with others.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that you will apply the lessons learned from our company to your next position. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or recommendation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Manager Position
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. During your tenure at our company, you demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a strong work ethic. You were an outstanding manager, and your contributions to the company are greatly appreciated.
You were able to motivate your team to achieve their goals and exceed expectations. Your ability to work well under pressure and complete projects on time and within budget was exemplary. Your exceptional communication skills and positive attitude made you a respected leader, and we will miss you greatly.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and am confident that you will continue to be a successful leader. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or recommendation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Reference Letter for Employee Leaving – Non-Manager Position
Dear [Employee Name],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for you. During your tenure at our company, you consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. You were a valued member of our team, and your contributions to the company are appreciated.
You were always punctual and responsible and completed your work on time. Your ability to work well with others and your positive attitude made you a respected member of our team. Your attention to detail and communication skills were exceptional, and you were able to complete projects on time and within budget.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors and am confident that you will continue to be a successful employee. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information or recommendation.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in a reference letter for an employee leaving?
A reference letter for an employee leaving should include the employee’s job title, dates of employment, and a brief description of their job responsibilities. It should also provide examples of the employee’s accomplishments while working for the company. The letter should be professional, concise, and to the point.
How long should a reference letter for an employee leaving be?
A reference letter for an employee leaving should be no more than one page long. It should be concise and to the point, while still providing enough information to give a potential employer a good idea of the employee’s job responsibilities and accomplishments.
Can an employee review their reference letter before it is submitted?
Yes, it is customary to allow an employee to review their reference letter before it is submitted. This ensures that the employee is comfortable with the content of the letter and that there are no inaccuracies.
What should I do if I don’t feel comfortable writing a reference letter?
If you don’t feel comfortable writing a reference letter for an employee leaving, you can politely decline. It is better to decline than to write a letter that does not accurately reflect the employee’s job performance.
Can a reference letter for an employee leaving be used for multiple job applications?
Yes, a reference letter for an employee leaving can be used for multiple job applications. However, it is important to ensure that the letter is addressed to the correct person and company and that it is relevant to the job for which the employee is applying.
Can I provide additional information or recommendation if needed?
Yes, you can provide additional information or recommendation if needed. It is important to be honest and truthful in your letter and to offer to provide additional information if the potential employer requires it.
Conclusion
Writing a reference letter for an employee leaving your company can be a daunting task, but it is an important part of the employee’s transition to a new position. By following the tips and examples provided in this article, you can write a professional, concise, and effective reference letter that will help the employee secure future employment. Remember to be honest, truthful, and to the point, and to offer to provide additional information if needed.