A business reference is a company associate, client, or vendor recommendation. Requesting the right person for the reference is essential in the job application process. Ask a trusted person for a business reference to secure a position in their organisation.
However, a job aspirant must know how to write a business reference letter. It should have the details like the referrer’s relation with you, and it’s important to remain professional when writing this letter.
Additionally, you must write the person’s skills and experience in the mentioned field in the business reference letter. There are also other details that you must include about the prospective employer. We will mention them and show you how to write a business reference with 2 easy examples.
Remember that a well-written and easy-to-understand business reference gives the employer a good impression of you. Besides, you can edge over other job seekers if the referral comes from a credible employee.
Let’s learn more about a business reference and how to write it professionally:
What is the Importance of a Business Reference?
A business reference enhances the chances of potential employees getting the position they are seeking. Moreover, a professional reference letter promotes a positive attitude, helping to crack the job interview.
In addition, requesting a former employee or supervisor for the reference will help you to know about the work environment. You can also build a healthy relationship with them. Are you tired of your job resume being rejected by HR executives? Ask your colleague for a business reference to get a job in your dream company.
Even your new client might ask you for a business reference letter from an old client to verify your company’s work quality. References are often required when a client, vendor, or supplier is signing up for a new contract.
Another purpose of a business reference in a job application is to check the prospective employer’s credibility and reputation in the previous workplace.
What are the Different Types of Business References?
There are generally 3 types of business references that you must be aware of. These business references are used in different contexts, and here we have explained them briefly:
1. Professional Reference
A reference that comes from an individual who knows about the prospective employee’s skills or expertise is known as a professional reference. This type of business reference generally comes from a supervisor or colleagues.
2. Employment Reference
Employment reference contains positive or negative comments about the person you refer to. Including the potential employee’s job performance, work ethic, skills, and achievements is essential in the reference letter. Human Resource executives, managers, and supervisors can write employee reference letters.
3. Character or Personal Reference
Character or personal references are generally recommended by a person who isn’t from the individual’s workplace. These business references often come from a friend or family member, and they verify the person’s qualities like integrity and reliability.
How Many Business Reference Letters Should You Include in Your Job Application?
Most companies hiring managers prefer to see at least one business reference letter. However, having 3-5 reference letters in your application will help you to get the job. Don’t add more than 5 recommendation letters to your application form. If an organisation only asks for 2 reference letters, submit only 2; don’t overdo it.
Whom Should You Request for a Business Reference?
Try to get a recommendation from a person with whom you have a positive professional relationship. Additionally, consider requesting an individual for the reference with whom you have worked. Your colleagues can easily vouch for your skills, professionalism, and experience in the specific area.
Here is the list of the persons who will be ideal to ask for a business reference for:
- Supervisors or HR employees from your past or current workplace
- Senior employees
- Professional mentors
- High-rank employees
Hence, having contact with your supervisors, mentors or senior employees is important. Your professional contact plays an imperative role in business references. It will help the employers to know that you were in a good relationship with the employees in your previous workplace.
How to Request Someone for a Business Reference:
You can simply call a person and ask them for a business reference. There are some etiquettes you must follow when requesting a recommendation letter. Consider asking your colleagues or supervisors about the reference properly.
Here are the steps prospective employees must follow when requesting a business reference:
1. Decide the Best Method to Contact the Person
Your relationship with the potential referrers determines the convenient method to contact them. However, we suggest asking your colleagues or supervisors in person rather than calling them.
You can discuss what to write in the recommendation letter thoroughly with a face-to-face conversation. There won’t be any miscommunication in this contact method. Did your manager go for a business tour? Compose an email stating the referral to the company where you want to work.
2. Contact the Referrer as Early as Possible
Try to approach the refer quickly and provide them with all the required information, such as your work experience or skills. Why should you contact the referrer quickly for the recommendation? It will give the person enough time to think about the positive traits and notable achievements.
The less time your referral has, the less time it will take to write the recommendation letter. Moreover, the person might miss out on the necessary details like your work quality or performance in the company. So, schedule a time to compose the email and send it right away to your senior employees or supervisor.
3. Share the Reference Requirements with the Referrer
Explain the type of business reference you need to the referrer. Do you need a verbal reference? Ensure to mention that to the referrer when contacting them in person or via mail. Ask the referrers when they are going to contact the potential employer and share the required details beforehand.
Do you need a written business reference letter? Contact your referrers and ask them how much time they need to write the recommendation letter. Don’t forget to ask them how and where you can collect the written letter. Express your gratitude when receiving the business reference letter from the referrer.
4. Share Your Current Job-related Details
Your referrer must have your job background information to craft the business reference letter. Writing a recommendation letter will be hard if the referrers don’t have the relevant details. They will demonstrate why you are suitable for the job role and which responsibilities you can handle in the company.
Here are the details you must provide to the referrer:
- Your current job position and which job role you want to apply for
- Information about the company or company mission
- Details about your previous job responsibilities
- Information about your skills or achievements
- Years of experience in the specific field or industry
5. Explain Your Referrer where You will use the Recommendation Letter
Clarify your referrer where you will use the recommendation letter, helping them to customise it better. Moreover, you must inform them whether you will use it for a specific or different company. Publish the business reference letter online if only your referrer grants permission to do it.
6. Thank the Referrers for Writing the Letter
Writing a business reference letter takes a lot of time and effort. Hence, you just thank the person who is referring you to their company or business to show your appreciation. Send a card, letter, or a message to express your gratitude if physically meeting the person is impossible. It will strengthen your relationship with the referrer, which will be useful in the future.
An Example to Write a Business Reference Letter
Writing a business reference letter is pretty easy if you have the required details. Haven’t written a recommendation letter before? We will give you an example of how to write it professionally.
Suppose, the prospective employee’s name is Michael Jordan, and he works at Studio Six. Here is how you will write the business reference letter:
James Allen
USA Clean Master
1133 Taft St, Rockville
Maryland, 20850, United States
Respected Sir/Madam or the Recipient Name,
I have been acquainted with Michael Jordan for 5 years, and I know his graphic designing and SEO skills. He has designed my eCommerce site and helped me to drive traffic and improve the site’s ranking. He is solely responsible for increasing profits in my online business.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need more information about him.
Best Regards,
Your Name
Your email address
Contact number
What are the Other Details You Must Include in the Business Reference Letter?
If you are writing the letter, you must include your contact details at the top of it. It will help the employer to find your phone number or email address easily.
Ensure to provide a relevant title on the business reference site. This will help the employers to understand the purpose of the letter.
The business reference letter won’t be too long. Add short and simple sentences in the recommendation letter. Don’t forget to add the potential employee’s current company name, email address, name and contact number.
