[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-274782-105":53,"doc-detail-274782-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","reference-letters-purpose-types-and-what-to-include-274782","Reference Letters - Purpose, Types, and What to Include","","Reference letters, also known as recommendation letters, verify a candidate’s skills, character, experience, and achievements to support job applications. They are typically written by current or former supervisors, colleagues, clients, or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge. The material explains what should be included (writer introduction, employment facts, skill judgments, and positive recommendations), what to avoid (informal tone, irrelevant personal details, mistakes), and the difference between professional and character references, plus a sample letter.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/reference-letters-purpose-types-and-what-to-include-274782/274782/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/reference-letters-purpose-types-and-what-to-include-274782/274782.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Jiven","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-01","2026-09-15",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":35},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"Who typically writes reference letters for job applicants?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"Reference letters are usually written by current or former supervisors, co-workers, customers, clients, vendors, or other business professionals with first-hand knowledge of the applicant.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"What key elements should a reference letter include?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"A strong letter introduces the writer, explains the writer’s position and relationship to the candidate, confirms employment facts (title, status, dates), includes a judgment of skills and qualities, ends with a clear positive recommendation, and may include contact information.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What should be avoided when writing a reference letter?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"Avoid an informal tone (jokes, slang, casual language), include only relevant information (do not mention unrelated personal details such as age or health), and prevent spelling mistakes, sloppy writing, or typos to keep the letter professional.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},274782,1790224886,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":35,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":47,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":139,"read_time":73},1099513958607,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/100002390cf8733938c?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1778829742770036399","REFERENCE LETTERS  \nThese slides provide important information about the purpose of reference letters, the differences in the types of reference letters, and the information that should be included in reference letters. Good references can help you clinch a job offer so be sure to have a strong list of references who are willing to attest to your capabilities.  \n| WHAT ARE REFERENCE LETTERS AND WHEN ARE THEY USED?\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>A reference letter, also called a recommendation letter, is usually written to testify to a person’s skills, character, experience, and/or achievements. When a candidate applies for a job, he or she will submit reference letters to support his or her application. These letters may be written by current or former supervisors, co-workers, customers, or other business professionals who have first-hand knowledge about the applicant.\u003Cbr>WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A REFERENCE LETTER?\u003Cbr>As the candidate, you may want to send your résumé, transcript, curriculum vitae, or any other materials that will help the person writing the letter of reference accurately describe you. You may also include a description of the position for which you are applying and information about the company. A letter of recommendation should be more than one or two paragraphs; a letter this short suggests the author either does not know you well or does not fully endorse you. However, the letter should be concise and focus on a few key points so it does not have to be more than one page.\u003Cbr>It is often helpful for the writer to introduce himself/herself in the first couple of lines of the letter. Ina brief sentence or two, the writer should explain his/her position and relationship to the candidate. It is usually helpful to know how long the writer has worked with or known the candidate. The next sentences should confirm any facts about employment history such as:\u003Cbr>• The applicant’s job title and role within the company.\u003Cbr>• The status of the employment such as current, previous, full-time, part-time, temporary.\u003Cbr>• The dates of the person’s employment. |  |  |  |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |\n\n\n| The third paragraph should provide judgment upon the candidate’s skills and qualities (excellent communication skills, organization skills, etc.) and should single out any exceptional qualities that the candidate has – perhaps drive and enthusiasm, attention to detail, or ability to lead. It is important that the letter describes experience, qualities, and skills that relate to the specific job opportunity.\u003Cbr>Reference letters usually end on a positive note and clearly state that the candidate is recommended for the position. If the writer is willing to receive further correspondence about the candidate’s application, it is also important for the writer to include his/her contact information.\u003Cbr>WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN A REFERENCE LETTER?\u003Cbr>􀁸 Writing in an informal manner: Keep the letter business-like. Jokes, slang and casual language are not appropriate and may harm the candidate’s chances.\u003Cbr>􀁸 Including personal information not relevant to the application: Mentioning the candidate’s race, political stance, religion, nationality, marital status, age, or health is usually inappropriate.\u003Cbr>􀁸 Spelling mistakes, sloppy writing, or typos: This letter is hugely important and you should take care to make sure it looks professional.\u003Cbr>WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE AND A CHARACTER REFERENCE?\u003Cbr>Professional Reference\u003Cbr>A professional letter of reference should discuss your work performance and attest to the skills, experience, and abilities that you have which best qualify you for the job. While the reference may discuss the applicant’s personality, job performance, punctuality, teamwork, experience, and work ethic are necessary discussion ina professional letter of reference. A professional reference is typically a current or former employer, colleague, client, vendor, supervisor ","cbCaiakgTyXP4EP1","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiakgTyXP4EP1","pdf",551180,"English","# What Are Reference Letters and When Are They Used?\n# What Should Be Included in a Reference Letter?\n# What Should Be Avoided in a Reference Letter?\n# Difference Between a Professional and a Character Reference\n# Reference Letter Examples - Example of a Professional Reference Letter","[{\"question\":\"Who typically writes reference letters for job applicants?\",\"answer\":\"Reference letters are usually written by current or former supervisors, co-workers, customers, clients, vendors, or other business professionals with first-hand knowledge of the applicant.\"},{\"question\":\"What key elements should a reference letter include?\",\"answer\":\"A strong letter introduces the writer, explains the writer’s position and relationship to the candidate, confirms employment facts (title, status, dates), includes a judgment of skills and qualities, ends with a clear positive recommendation, and may include contact information.\"},{\"question\":\"What should be avoided when writing a reference letter?\",\"answer\":\"Avoid an informal tone (jokes, slang, casual language), include only relevant information (do not mention unrelated personal details such as age or health), and prevent spelling mistakes, sloppy writing, or typos to keep the letter professional.\"}]","Reference Letters - Purpose, Types, and What to Include | PDF",1789482913]