Professional Letter of Reference

The letter of reference is an important tool of business communication and is also one of the most difficult letters to write, as maintaining good language and tone is of absolute essence. Another very important aspect of a reference letter is appreciating. The language of the reference letter thus becomes extremely crucial, as one has to appreciate the person whom you are referring, and also at the same time maintain a third person approach to the reference. Most of the time the reference letter is furnished by an employee who is in the process of leaving an organization. In some cases this letter is also furnished to the employees on request. There have also been cases where former employers have given the professional reference letters directly to the prospective employer.

One of the most conventional forms of letter of reference is issued when one businessman wants to purchase goods form another on credit basis. In this scenario, a third businessman who has conducted business with the businessman who wants the credit purchase furnishes a letter of reference.

In some cases a letter of reference is also issued for domestic purposes, such a letter given by the Human Resource Department to an employee so that he can give it to a landlord in order to get boarding.

Here's a sample professional reference letter that would help you to understand how to write one.

You can also follow some of the tips that are given as below:

• Appreciate: First and foremost appreciate. The key to write a really good letter of reference is to appreciate. Appreciating the person in a balanced manner is also a very important aspect. The appreciation must sound proper and genuine.
• Identity: Through the letter, establish the identity of the person whom you are referring. The reader of the letter must immediately understand about the professional capabilities of the person and also personal and behavioral characteristics.
• Notable Features: It would be good to mention the notable features and qualities of the person in the letter.
• Goodwill: It is also very useful to preserve the goodwill of the person whom you are referring, as it tends to boost your goodwill.

Sample Professional Letter of Reference
The following sample would help better illustrate the above points and help you write one easily.

Your Name Your Designation Name of Your Organization To, Whom so ever it may concern. I am writing this letter as a reference for my former colleague and friend Sarah. Sarah worked in may audit team for about 2 years. Her sincerity and determination to excel in her task always left all of us spellbound. She also has very commendable educational qualifications that are backed by her ability to grasp knowledge and learn things quickly. She is also a very avid reader and possesses a vast vocabulary. Apart from her professional merits I would like to comment on her love for punctuality and her skill of excellent time management. She was also always conscious about her behavior and had a polite approach for any fact that was not agreed upon. I certainly considered her to be an asset to any organization that she joins. May God bless her! Thanking you, Yours Truly, Your Name and Signature

Writing reference letter can be a beneficial practice, as it indirectly increases your goodwill and you would hear the people whom you furnished the letter with, attach the phrase 'he is a good man' after your name.