How to Request and Give Great References

If you expect to advance your career, it is essential that you understand how to ask for work references from your colleagues and supervisors. You should also understand how to write great references for your employees, as there is a good chance someone will ask you for a reference when applying for a promotion or seeking employment with another company. Use these tips when requesting or writing references, and you will have an easier time maintaining professional relationships and building a successful career.

There is a right way and a wrong way to go about selecting which people you will ask for work references. Anne Fisher, a contributor to CNN Money, says you should ask for work references from your colleagues, supervisors, and managers. These are the people who are most familiar with your achievements, so it makes sense to ask them to write letters recommending you for promotions or lateral moves. People outside of your department may not fully understand your responsibilities and skills, so avoid asking them for work references whenever possible.

If you have a number of professional contacts who would be happy to write work references for you, ask the ones who have had the opportunity to supervise you in some capacity. The person you choose should also be able to evaluate your skills and communicate in a way that convinces prospective employers that those skills are valuable to any organization. Once you have identified the best people for the job, ask them if they feel comfortable writing detailed work references that highlight your skills and achievements. If they respond favorably, offer to send a copy of your current resume or other professional materials so they have enough information to write detailed letters of reference.

Because it is likely that employees will ask you for work references during your tenure with a company, writing reference letters is an art that managers and business professionals should master early in their careers. If you refer someone for a specific job at another company, you should indicate your referral in the opening of the letter. When writing a simple reference letter rather than a referral, use the first line of the work reference to make a strong statement about why the person is a good candidate for the position. Avoid making vague statements, as they can raise red flags for recruiters. Include detailed information about the employee's accomplishments, skills, and personal attributes. This information will help the recruiter determine if the employee is potentially a good fit for the position.

Knowing the right way to request work references and write them for others is an essential skill for managers. When you are requesting references from others, make sure they are qualified to comment on your achievements and skills, as vague reference letters will not help you make a good impression on prospective employers. If your employees ask you for work references, be sure to write letters that comment on their performance in detail.

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