Reference letter templates

Diddums · 15 Apr 2016 at 14:27

Anyone know where I can get any? The sites I've found all want cash to get templates and I'm not interested in paying as it's a one off.

Diddums · 15 Apr 2016 at 14:49

Right, nevermind folks. I just nicked one from somewhere else

To Whom it May Concern:

Joel xxxxx was employed as a multi skilled maintenance engineer (electrical bias) with CBRE at a London flagship building (Woolgate Exchange) for two weeks. During his employment, Joel demonstrated his abilities as an electrician and all round multi skilled engineer with great spirit and motivation. Joel showed great initiative by jumping on tasks that needed doing and helping the other engineers when necessary. Joel was always early, blended in well with the team on site and communicated well, both to the engineering team and client facing. Joel is well presented and very well mannered.

I am happy to act as a reference for Joel and will vouch for his excellent standard of workmanship and teamwork.

Sincerely,

dowie · 15 Apr 2016 at 19:03

Are you writing your own reference that a colleague can then later use for you?

Diddums · 15 Apr 2016 at 21:48

I doubt I'll ever get a reference like that

Edrof · 16 Apr 2016 at 10:33

To whom it may concern should be closed with yours faithfully, not sincerely.

Diddums · 16 Apr 2016 at 11:44

Really?

Is this an actual thing or what? Never heard of that one before!

dowie · 16 Apr 2016 at 13:17

yup, you don't write 'Sincerely' to someone unknown, in fact that is an Americanism anyway - it should be 'Yours sincerely' in the UK when the person is known

Edrof · 17 Apr 2016 at 14:38

Indeed, as Dowie says, use faithfully if you don't know the recipient and sincerely if you do. Valedictions like kind regards are only for the more informal letters where you know the recipient very well.

Diddums · 18 Apr 2016 at 11:54

I wasn't aware of that, thanks for pointing it out!

Diddums · 19 Apr 2016 at 17:14

Christ, this is an actual reference that's been put in front of me today:

“xxxx was a very good very reliable candidate. He would never grumble when asked to do something and would get his head down and get on with his work.

He had a good electrical knowledge and wouldn’t moan about assisting mechanical guys or doing something that was out of his remit.

I would not hesitate to recommend xxxx to any employer. I would like to of kept him on myself however we just didn’t have enough work to keep him on.”

Unbelievable.

mattyfez · 19 Apr 2016 at 20:27

I think a sincere reference would speak volumes, no matter how badly worded.. Most companies simply confirm employment due to potential legal issues.. And a cv/agency type template reference would stick out like a sore thumb.

regulus · 21 Apr 2016 at 18:38

Diddums said:
Christ, this is an actual reference that's been put in front of me today:

Unbelievable.

Does that take away from his work ethic or abilities? Or did you want a CV/cover letter draped in $10 worded highly generic business waffle?

CVs are perhaps the most dangerous things ever in the hands of the inexperienced.