How to Write a Reference Letter: Examples & Writing Guide

Meet Stu, the hiring manager. Stu just opened your reference letter. Three seconds later, he closed it again and clicked delete. A dozen rookie moves can sink a well-intentioned recommendation.

Your letter of reference can't just say, "Jane's great. Please hire her." It must do so much more. But once you know the simple rules of professional reference letter writing, the world's your oyster.

This guide will show you:

• Reference letter example better than 9 out of 10 examples out there.
• How to write a reference letter for jobs or internships.
• What to put in a letter of reference so it works like a Swiss watch.

Here's a sample reference letter made with our fast online business letter tool. Want to write your letter in 15 minutes? Use our templates and build your version here.

Create your reference letter now

Use this reference letter template

That reference letter template works because it's personal, passionate, and detailed.

What Is a Reference Letter?

A reference letter is a letter from a colleague or a supervisor confirming your qualifications for a job. The author of your reference letter should read the job ad you're applying for and describe your relevant work experience, skills, achievements, personal qualities, and/or academic performance. 

 

How to Ask for a Reference Letter?

Pick a person with a lot of clout who knows a lot about you. Then, share the job description with them. Show them the sample letter of reference in this guide to help them do it right.

 

How to Write a Reference Letter

Follow the steps below to create a professional reference letter for a job:

1. Choose the Best Reference Letter Format

Picture this: Someone hands you a big bag of those alphabet refrigerator magnets, then walks. That's how a poorly-formatted letter of professional reference feels.

The best letter of reference format does one thing: It puts the right elements in order to lock in the interview.

The most important are:

• A hook
• How you know the applicant
• An overview of her best qualities
• Details that fit the job description like a lifejacket

See how those work in this professional reference letter example:

Letter of Reference Template

Use this sample reference letter template to make your writing crackle:

Bingo. There's your simple reference letter template. Follow it, and your applicant is on the way to gainful employment.

If you use the above reference letter template in MS Word, add 1 inch margins. Also use single spacing and a clear font like Arial or Cambria.

Next, I'll show you how to work each of those references letter elements to make it shine.

Pro Tip: Already got references and have no idea how to list them on your resume? Can you even do that when most experts tell you not to? We've got the answers: Resume References: When and How to List References on a Resume

2. Start Your Professional Reference Letter With a Hook

Let's sneak up behind the hiring manager. She's behind on seven deadlines. She's got 387 unread emails. She just used her tablet pen to stir her moccachino.

Now she gets a resume, a cover letter, and three letters of reference. Glance, glance, glance, and into the pile of despair it goes.

Make her stop and read your letter.

Look at this reference letter sample hook:

Reference Letter Example [The Hook]

The typical reference letter starts out in a generic, unengaging way:

That's not awful, but it's a grey suit in a crowd of others, all alike.

How do you begin a letter of reference so it cracks the manager's attention like a whip?

That sample reference letter opening stops the bustle and drowns out the ringing phone.

Can't say something quite that glowing?

A hook for a letter of reference can be anything eye-grabbing, including:

• How you feel in general about the applicant's qualities.
• A stunning fact about the applicant.
• An award the candidate won.
• Anything that gets attention.

Pro Tip: Is someone writing a reference letter for you? Don't forget to send a thank you letter in return. They'll remember the gesture, and that's networking 101.

A letter of reference is very similar to a cover letter. Get more tips here: How To Write A Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples]

3. Write a Compelling Reference Letter Second Paragraph

Let's assume you've written a great hook. You've got to keep that interest rolling. Of course the next step is to say how you know the applicant. But do it wrong, and the manager's busy life will kidnap her again.

The best reference letters combine "how you know" with "why she's great." They also add details.

Reference Letter Example [2nd Paragraph]

Spot the difference in these two reference letter examples:

That gets the job done, and it's short. But it's as generic as a box of supermarket cornflakes.

Give it the five star treatment, as in this next referral letter sample:

That shows how to write a reference letter for a student that works like an electromagnet. It's detailed and intensifies the interest.

If you can't crow quite that much. don't worry. Just make sure to:

• Share details about how you know the applicant.
• Add a fact that shows why you think highly of him.

Pro Tip: Don't have time to fit your letter of reference to the job offer? Ask to see the applicant's resume. It should be chock-full of tailored achievements and skills.

Need some good things to say in a professional reference letter? They're the same as what you'd say in a resume. See this guide: Achievements to Put on Resume - Complete Guide (+30 Examples)

4. Make Sure Your Reference Letter Fits the Job Description

You get the nagging feeling nobody will read your letter of professional reference. You're probably right. Generic references letters get a glance, if that.

You know how to write a reference letter that gets read once you add the right details. So, ask to read the job description. Then lock your letter of reference to it like something from Escape from Alcatraz.

Letters of Reference Examples [How to Customize]

Look at these two very different sample reference letter pieces:

Steven sounds okay, doesn't he? But this position likely has 300+ applicants all bumping elbows. They won't hire "okay."

Now check out this next job letter of reference example:

Now that's how to write a reference letter for a student that lands the interview.

Does your letter have to be so grandiose? Of course not. But include at least these elements:

• Name specific ways the applicant has helped you.
• Match the achievements in your letter to requirements in the job offer.
• Include a detail about why the applicant is passionate about the job.

Pro Tip: Your letter of reference's middle can be one paragraph or three. It can include bullet points or a table. The format isn't as important as the right details.

Almost one fifth of all new hires come from referrals, yet only 3% of applicants use them. See more in our guide: Recruiting and Hiring Stats

5. End Your Reference Letter With a Request

Bad news: Your applicant didn't get the job. Now she's crying to her Facebook friends about how hopeless everything seems. She was so close. If you'd known how to write a letter of reference ending, she'd be set.

To seal the deal, end your letter with a request.

Reference Letter from Employer Samples [Request]

What is a letter of professional reference without a request? Take a look at these two reference letter examples:

That's polite, right? Inoffensive. So is an antique Edsel with the engine taken out. But neither one will get you to the beach.

But look at this next example of how to write a reference letter for an employee:

Can you see how that would boost the chances of an interview?

First, it shows you respect the applicant enough to share your time. That's guaranteed to shake and wake the hiring manager.

Next, it creates an opportunity to take the conversation further.

Don't feel comfortable offering to talk? You probably won't have to. The offer alone pumps up your letter's stock price.

Pro Tip: Not sure how to address a references letter? Use "Dear" and a first name, or "Mr." or "Ms." and a last name. "Ms." works regardless of marital status.

Ending a letter of reference is similar to ending a cover letter. See this guide: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, our easy resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

How to Write a Character Reference Letter

Here's the good news:

If you know how to write a letter of reference for a job, you also know how to write a character reference letter.

It should include:

• How you know the applicant.
• Her shining qualities.
• How she's helped you (or others).
• A request.

Use the sample character reference letter template below.

Character Reference Letter Sample

This personal reference works as a character reference letter for court, for a friend, or for immigration or landlord use.

That's the bare bones of how to write a personal reference letter.

Now, stuff that letter of character reference skeleton with these details:

In Part 1, be as specific as possible. The more interaction you can cite, the more powerful the reference.

In Part 2, list positive qualities and specific ways the person has shown character. Honesty, a strong work ethic, and competence are all in-bounds.

Part 3 can be as simple as, "I give Tim my highest possible recommendation for character, work ethic, and dependability."

Looking for a job, an internship, or other position? You'll do better with the tailored reference letter for employment at the top.

Pro Tip: Writing a character reference letter for a friend? Include your title if it ups your credibility (i.e. Officer, Doctor, Judge, Town Selectman).

Avoid boring language in your letter of reference. See this guide: 80 Examples of Resume Action Words for Every Profession

Key Takeaway

Knowing how to write a reference letter can be the difference between success and failure. Follow these key tips to do it right:

• Give details for how you know the applicant. The closer you've worked with her, the stronger your reference letter.
• Paint the picture of why you recommend the candidate. Measurable achievements make a letter of reference sparkle.
• Offer to talk more with the addressee. Chances are you won't have to, but an offer puts the icing on the reference letter cake.

Want to know more about how to make a letter of reference? Maybe you have a perfect reference letter template? Give us a shout in the comments! We love to help!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.