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• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Write a reference
• Method 2 of 2: Provide an oral reference

It is not always easy to find a job. A positive and enthusiastic reference from a colleague can then make the difference. If you want to give a positive reference for a colleague or a former colleague, think carefully about how you describe them. What you say about your colleague, and how you say it, can help your colleague get his or her dream job.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Write a reference

1. Offer to write a positive letter. If someone approaches you to provide a reference, consider whether you really want to do that. If you have had good experiences with that person and you can say things about them that will help them get the job, offer to write a positive letter.
   • Don't offer to write a letter if you can't write anything positive. You do not want to reduce the chances of the other.
   • Only offer to provide a reference if you have worked with that person for a longer period of time. It is difficult to judge what someone is like if you have only worked with them for a short time.
   • Make sure you are the right person to provide the reference. Check whether there are rules within your company about giving a reference for colleagues.
2. Gather information to include in your letter. Ask the person for whom you are writing the letter, what kind of job the letter is for and what characteristics are important for it. Also list what you know about the person for whom you are writing the letter and what suits the job.
   • Ask the person for whom you are writing the letter what kind of job it is. Which activities are part of the job? Which skills are important for this? Which personal characteristics?
   • Read your emails again with the other to see what the other person's method is.What shows his or her professionalism and suitability for the new job? If you can access it, you can also use assessment reports.
3. Draw up a letter in draft. Include all the information you have collected in a letter. That doesn't have to be a perfect letter. Put the main points on paper. That way you don't forget the most important things. Write the letter in a positive way.
   • A reference is one or two pages long. If you make the letter longer, chances are that the future employer will not read the entire letter. It can then miss important information.
   • Start your letter with a brief introduction. It states the name of the person you are writing the letter for, the job they are applying for, and that you are recommending them for that job. For example, you can write: “I would like to recommend Chris Smit for the position of product manager. Chris has been a great contributor to my work / this company and I think he will be very valuable to your team. ”
   • Then, in one to three paragraphs, explain how long you've known the person, what role you worked together, what that person's most important skills are, and how the new employer can benefit from those skills. Explain why the person is the best candidate for the job.
   • You can describe the character of the person in the letter, but it is preferable not to include personal information. Personal information is often very subjective. If you still want to record something, discuss it with the person for whom you are writing the letter.
   • End your letter with a paragraph summarizing that you heartily recommend the person. Also indicate in this paragraph that you are available to answer any questions the prospective employer may have. For example, write: “Based on my experiences with Chris Smit, I heartily recommend him for the position of product manager at Product Management B.V. If you have any questions regarding this letter, you can reach me on telephone number 012-3456789 or e-mail address [email protected]. ”
4. Use positive and active words. Make sure to use positive language and active verbs to describe the person you're writing the letter for. That helps paint a more attractive picture of that person.
   • Use verbs such as collaborate, achieve, and promote.
   • Use nouns such as team player, asset, and responsibility.
   • Use adjectives such as trustworthy, intelligent, and likeable.
   • You can use these words together in a sentence such as, “Chris and I worked together in a marketing project and he has been instrumental in acquiring multiple new customers. He has a strong sense of responsibility and is a sympathetic team player who will have a positive impact on your company. ”
5. Be honest and don't overdo it. You want to present the candidate as well as possible and not give the impression that you are just making up something. The line between being honest and exaggerating is thin.
   • You don't have to say the person is great if that's not true. Choose positive qualities that the person actually has. For example, "Chris is one of the most responsible and collegial colleagues I know." When describing someone's technical skills, you could use something like "Chris is in the top 5% of product managers I've worked with."
6. Update and check your letter. As soon as you have the letter ready in draft, you can start fine-tuning your letter. Make sure that sentences run smoothly, that the structure is logical and see if there are any things you want to include that are missing. Also check for spelling mistakes and grammar. It is important that your letter looks neat.
   • Make sure your revised version is properly structured, with an introduction, main content and a closing. Also make sure that your language is business-like, sincere and positive and that you present the candidate as well as possible.
   • Consider reading the letter aloud to help you spot any mistakes and make sure the letter sounds professional.
   • Make sure the information you include in the letter is specific to the new job.
7. Format your letter. Before you can send the letter, you must ensure that it is properly formatted. Your letter will then be taken seriously by the potential future employer more quickly.
   • If you are writing the letter from your position, use the letterhead of your company for the letter.
   • If you're using company letterhead, the sender's address will already be on the letter. If you are using blank stationery, start with your address at the top.
   • Under your address is the address of the addressee, i.e. the employer with whom the person for whom you are writing the letter is applying. If the letter is more general and the person for whom you are writing the letter would like to use it for more applications (or if they are not going to apply yet, but would like a reference in advance), you can omit the address. Keep in mind in your letter that the content must also be more neutral.
   • Then write down the place (city) where you write the letter and the date. Below that there will be a subject line, in which you mention something like “Regarding: Reference Chris Smit for vacancy product manager”.
   • Below that is the salutation, the content of the letter, and the closing. You can enter your position and contact details (telephone and / or e-mail address) under your name. Make sure to leave space for your signature above your name.
8. Read the letter again carefully. Read it again carefully before sending the letter. Preferably a day or two after you have written the letter. You then look at it with a fresh look, and you may see mistakes that you did not see before.

Method 2 of 2: Provide an oral reference

1. Check whether there are rules within your company about giving a reference for colleagues. Some companies do not allow you to talk indefinitely about someone's work. Certain activities may be confidential. Check what you can and cannot tell before agreeing to provide an oral reference.
2. Agree to provide an oral reference. If an employee or colleague asks you to provide a reference, only do so if you can provide a positive reference. If you have good experiences with the other person and feel that they are indeed suitable for the job, agree to provide a reference.
   • Don't offer to be a sponsor if you don't have a positive story about the other person. You do not want to reduce the chances of the other on the job.
   • Only agree to talk to a prospective employer if you have worked with the other for a longer period of time. It is difficult to answer questions about how the other person works and what they are good at when you have only known each other for a few months.
   • Make sure you are the right person to provide the reference. Perhaps a colleague who has worked with the other for longer is much more suitable.
3. Ask the person for whom you are giving the reference for information. Ask the other person for what kind of job the reference is, and which characteristics are important for it.
   • Request information about the vacancy. What kind of position is it, what is the culture at the company, and how does the person for whom you provide the reference think that his or her experience is a good match for that position?
   • Consider your own experiences with the other. In which projects have you worked together, which positive qualities do you see in the other? If you can access it, you can also use assessment reports.
   • Read your emails again with the other to see what the other person's method is. What shows his or her professionalism and suitability for the new job?
4. Schedule a telephone appointment. Most oral references are given over the phone. Schedule a telephone appointment with the potential future employer of the person for whom you are providing the reference. Scheduling an appointment instead of just calling, gives you the chance to call at a quiet moment, without distraction. That way you can better provide a coherent, positive reference.
   • Ask the person for whom you provide the reference for contact information of the prospective employer, or ask them to provide your contact information to that employer.
   • Make sure to schedule the appointment by phone at a time when you really have time. Such a telephone conversation is often only short (10 to 15 minutes), but plan plenty of time to be on the safe side.
5. Take notes for the phone call. Once you have scheduled an appointment, you can list what information you want to provide. Put the most important things (digitally) on paper. That way you make sure you don't forget anything during the conversation.
   • Because you do not know which questions the future employer will ask, it is best to list all the important information. Both about the personality of the person for whom you are referring, and about his or her skills. But also in which roles you have worked together and how long you have worked together.
6. Answer questions thoroughly and honestly. By giving honest and complete answers, you give a good picture of the candidate. He or she can then just get the job he or she wants.
   • Don't overdo it. You really don't have to say that whoever you're referring to is "the greatest coworker ever." To say that the person "is one of the best colleagues you have ever worked with" sounds a lot more convincing.
   • Know that if you are noticeably insecure when answering questions, it will appear as if you are being dishonest. If you don't have a correct answer to a question, don't come up with something. Rather, say you didn't work that way with your coworker.
7. Use positive and descriptive words. If you answer questions from the future employer, you want to put the person for whom you give the reference in the most positive light possible. This allows them to get just that little bit ahead of other candidates for the job.
   • There are many verbs, nouns and adjectives that are suitable for describing who you are writing the reference for. The more concrete you can be, the better.
   • For example, you could say something like "Chris is creative and solution-oriented" or "He communicates his ideas clearly."
   • Make sure to identify the skills that the person will need in the new job.
8. Avoid personal topics. Only talk about things that matter to how the other person will perform the new job. For example about excellent leadership qualities or how good he or she is at creating a team. Don't talk about the private life of the person you're referring to, as it will make you and them both seem less professional.
   • Do not discuss private matters such as religion, marital status, age or health.
   • Providing personal information can reduce the other person's chances of getting the job. Providing personal information can result in a hefty fine for your company.
9. Wrap up the conversation. As soon as you have answered all questions from the future employer, you complete the telephone conversation. Ask if your conversation partner has any questions, and offer that he or she can call you again if there are any questions later. Finally, thank your conversation partner for the conversation.