Reference Letter Template
A professional reference letter template with structured sections for your relationship, the candidate's achievements, character endorsement, and a strong closing recommendation — ready to customize and send.
LETTER OF REFERENCE
Date: [Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
1. Introduction & Relationship
[I am writing to recommend [Candidate Name] for [position/opportunity]. I have known [him/her/them] for [duration] in my capacity as [your title] at [Company]. During this time, [he/she/they] served as [their role] and reported directly to me.]
2. Skills & Achievements
[Describe 2-3 specific accomplishments with measurable results, e.g., "She led the migration to a new CRM, training 40 team members and increasing pipeline visibility by 60% within the first quarter."]
3. Character & Work Ethic
[Describe their character traits: reliability, initiative, collaboration, leadership under pressure. Use a specific anecdote to illustrate, e.g., "When our largest client threatened to churn, [Name] personally orchestrated a recovery plan that retained the account and expanded the contract by 25%."]
4. Recommendation
[I give [Candidate Name] my highest/strong recommendation for [role/opportunity]. [He/She/They] would be a tremendous asset to any team. Please feel free to contact me at [email/phone] if you have any questions.]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title] | [Company]
[Email] | [Phone]
How to Use This Template
Establish your credibility
Open with your title, company, and how long you have worked with the candidate. This gives your recommendation weight and context.
Use specific examples
Replace general praise with concrete accomplishments and numbers. "Increased sales by 35%" is far more persuasive than "great salesperson."
Include a character anecdote
Tell one short story that shows who this person is under pressure, in collaboration, or during a challenge. Stories stick; adjectives do not.
Close with conviction
State your recommendation clearly: "highest recommendation," "without reservation," or "among the top 5% I have managed." Weak closes undermine strong letters.
Customize in Dewx
Inside Dewx, tell Dew: "Write a reference letter for Sarah Chen for a VP of Marketing role." Provide a few bullet points about her strengths and Dew generates a polished, personalized letter with specific examples and professional formatting. Export as PDF or send directly from the CX Hub.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should a reference letter include?
A strong reference letter includes your relationship to the candidate and how long you have known them, specific examples of their skills and achievements, their character traits relevant to the role, a comparison to peers if appropriate, and a clear, enthusiastic recommendation. Specificity is what separates a memorable letter from a forgettable one.
How long should a reference letter be?
Keep it to one page, approximately 300-500 words. Open with your credentials and relationship, dedicate two paragraphs to specific accomplishments and qualities, and close with a strong endorsement. Hiring managers read dozens of these — concise and specific beats long and generic every time.
Can I decline to write a reference letter?
Yes, and you should if you cannot write a genuinely positive one. A lukewarm reference does more harm than no reference at all. If you cannot give a strong recommendation, politely explain that someone else may be better positioned to speak to their qualifications. Honesty protects both your reputation and the candidate.
How does Dewx help write reference letters?
Inside Dewx, tell Dew: "Write a reference letter for [Name] for a [Role] position." Provide a few bullet points about their strengths and Dew generates a professional, personalized letter. Review, adjust the tone, and export as a polished document from the CX Hub.
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