When writing a reference letter, it’s important to include the reason for leaving. This helps potential employers understand the candidate’s work history and why they left their previous job. In this article, we’ll provide tips for writing a reference letter reason for leaving and provide examples that you can edit as needed.
Tips for Writing Reference Letter Reason for Leaving
When writing a reference letter reason for leaving, keep the following tips in mind:
- Be honest: It’s important to be truthful about why the employee left their previous job. Employers may contact the previous employer to verify the information.
- Focus on the positive: Even if the employee left on negative terms, try to focus on their positive contributions while they were there.
- Mention any relevant skills: If the reason for leaving is related to the employee’s skills, highlight those skills in the reference letter.
- Keep it brief: Your reference letter should be no more than one page. Keep the reason for leaving section to one or two sentences.
You can find examples of reference letters reason for leaving below. Feel free to edit them as needed to fit your specific situation.
Examples of Reference Letter Reason for Leaving
Relocation
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for three years as a marketing specialist before moving out of state for personal reasons. During [Employee Name]’s time with our company, they made significant contributions to our marketing efforts, including developing several successful campaigns that resulted in increased sales. [Employee Name] is a talented marketer with a strong work ethic, and I highly recommend them for any marketing position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Job Dissatisfaction
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for two years as an accountant before leaving due to job dissatisfaction. Although [Employee Name] was not happy with their role, they always performed their duties to the best of their ability and never let their personal feelings affect their work. [Employee Name] is a talented accountant with strong attention to detail and would be an asset to any accounting team. I highly recommend [Employee Name] for any accounting position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Layoff
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for five years as a software engineer before being laid off due to budget cuts. While [Employee Name] was with our company, they were an integral part of our engineering team and made significant contributions to several important projects. [Employee Name] is a skilled software engineer with a strong work ethic and would be an asset to any engineering team. I highly recommend [Employee Name] for any software engineering position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Career Change
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for three years as a sales representative before leaving to pursue a career in healthcare. While [Employee Name] was with our company, they consistently exceeded their sales quotas and developed strong relationships with many of our clients. [Employee Name] is a hard-working and dedicated employee with excellent communication skills. I am confident that [Employee Name] would excel in any healthcare position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Personal Reasons
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for four years as an administrative assistant before leaving for personal reasons. During [Employee Name]’s time with our company, they performed their duties with professionalism and dedication. [Employee Name] is a reliable and detail-oriented employee who would be an asset to any administrative team. I highly recommend [Employee Name] for any administrative position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Retirement
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for ten years as a project manager before retiring. During [Employee Name]’s time with our company, they successfully managed several complex projects and mentored many of our junior project managers. [Employee Name] is a skilled project manager with excellent leadership abilities. I highly recommend [Employee Name] for any project management position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Termination
Dear [Employer Name],
I am writing to recommend [Employee Name] for any future employment opportunities. [Employee Name] worked for our company for one year as a customer service representative before being terminated for violating company policy. Despite this, [Employee Name] was a hard-working and dedicated employee who consistently provided excellent customer service. [Employee Name] is an excellent communicator with strong problem-solving skills. I highly recommend [Employee Name] for any customer service position they may be applying for.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Include in a Reference Letter Reason for Leaving?
A reference letter reason for leaving should include the reason why the employee left their previous job. It should be brief and honest, and focus on the positive contributions the employee made while they were there.
Should I Mention Negative Reasons for Leaving?
It’s best to focus on the positive contributions the employee made while they were there. However, if the reason for leaving was negative, you should be truthful about it while still focusing on the employee’s positive attributes.
What Should I Do if I Don’t Know the Reason for Leaving?
If you don’t know the reason for leaving, you can simply state that the employee left for personal reasons.
Should I be Specific About the Reason for Leaving?
You should be specific about the reason for leaving, but keep it brief and professional.
Can I Write a Reference Letter if the Employee was Terminated?
Yes, you can still write a reference letter if the employee was terminated. However, you should be truthful about the reason for termination while still focusing on the employee’s positive attributes.
Can I Refuse to Write a Reference Letter Reason for Leaving?
Yes, you have the right to refuse to write a reference letter for any reason. However, if you do agree to write one, it’s important to be truthful and professional.
Conclusion
Writing a reference letter reason for leaving is an important part of the hiring process. By being truthful and focusing on the employee’s positive attributes, you can help them secure their next job. Use the tips and examples in this article to create a reference letter that will impress potential employers.