Format of Reference Letter

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Format of Reference Letter
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Salutation Dear (Name of employer or
University official) Or TO WHOM
IT MAY CONCERN,
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PARAGRAPH 1

• IF WRITTEN TO
• A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER
• OR EDUCATOR

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• I am writing this reference at the
• request of (student) who is
• applying for (job title, graduate
• program, etc) with (company,
• school, etc.)

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• If written
• To Whom It May
• Concern,

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• I am writing this reference at the
• request of (student). She has asked
• me to provide this general letter
• that she may show to any
• Prospective (employer, school, etc.)
• who asks her/him for references.

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• If the reference is
• confidential

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• This is a confidential letter and should
• be shared only with individuals in
• your organization who are directly
• involved in the selection decision. This
• letter should not be shown to (student)
• who waived the right to see the letter.

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Paragraph 2

• I have known (student) for (length of time) in my
  
• capacity as (your job title) at (your
  organization).
• (student) took (names of courses) from me and
• earned (grades) in those cases. Based on
  (students )
• grades,(excellent, good, etc) attendance and
  class
• participation, I would rate (students) academic
• performance in my class as(rating). OR (student)
• worked for me as (job title). OR (student)
  belonged
• to the (organization) for which I advised.

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Paragraph 3

• (student) has a number of strengths to
• offer (an employer, a graduate
• program)... (To list qualities here
• supporting each one with examples,
• focusing on qualities relevant to the
• opportunity the student is seeking.

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Paragraph 4

• In conclusion, I could (highly) recommend
• (student). If her/his performance in (my
• class, name of position, organization) is any
• indication of how she/hed perform in (your
• position,your graduate program, etc),
• (student) will be a positive addition to your
• (organization, university, etc).

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Personal Reference Check

• Your Business
• Street Address
• City, State and Zip Code
• Date
• Reference
• Street Address
• City,State and Zip Code

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• Re Reference for Applicant
• Social Security Number
• Provide information supplied
• by applicant for identification
• purposes.

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Dear Reference

• The above-named individual has applied
• for employment with our business and
• has named you as a reference. In order
• to make an informed hiring decision, we
• need to know the applicants work /
• educational history and personal
• qualifications or fitness for employment.

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A release permitting you to provide the following
information has been signed by the applicant and
a copy is attached. Any information that you give
will be held in the strictest confidence. Please
verify by answering the following question.
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• How long have you known applicant?
• -------------------------------------------------

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• What is the nature of your relationship?
• -------------------------------------------------

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• Why do you think Applicant would be a good
  choice for this position?
• --------------------------------------------------
  -----

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• Do you know of any reasons that
• could prevent Applicant from
• performing the functions of the
• position?
• --------------------------------------------

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• Information furnished by
• -------------------------------------------

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• Signature
• -------------------------------------

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• Date
• ----------------------------------------
• Thank you for your cooperation
• and prompt response.
• Sincerely.