However, providing a positive reference isn’t just a matter of saying good things about your employee. There are certain steps you need to take to ensure that your reference is effective and professional.
Here are some tips for providing positive references for your employees:
1. Start by gathering information
Before you can provide a positive reference for an employee, you need to have all the information you need. This includes information about the employee’s skills, experience, and work ethic. Take some time to review the employee’s resume and any performance reviews or evaluations they have received. Talk to other managers or supervisors who have worked with the employee and ask for their input.
2. Be honest
While you want to provide a glowing reference for your employee, it’s important to be honest. If your employee has areas where they need to improve, be honest about it. However, make sure to frame your feedback in a positive light. For example, you might say something like, “While Jane struggled with time management in the past, she has worked hard to develop her skills in this area and has made significant progress.”
3. Focus on the positive
When providing a reference, it’s important to focus on the positive. Talk about the employee’s strengths, accomplishments, and positive qualities. For example, you might say something like, “John is a great team player who always goes above and beyond to help his colleagues. He has excellent communication skills and is always willing to take on new challenges.”
4. Keep it professional
When providing a reference, it’s important to keep things professional. Avoid sharing personal information about the employee and stick to discussing their job-related skills and qualities. Be respectful and courteous in your language, and make sure to avoid any comments that could be considered discriminatory or offensive.
5. Be specific
When providing a reference, be specific about what the employee has accomplished or what their strengths are. For example, you might say something like, “Sara was instrumental in developing our new marketing strategy, which led to a 15% increase in revenue.” Being specific like this can help to paint a clear picture of the employee’s abilities and achievements.
6. Get permission
Before providing a reference, make sure to get the employee’s permission. Some employees may prefer not to have references provided, and it’s important to respect their wishes. Additionally, make sure that you have the employee’s most up-to-date contact information so that the prospective employer can get in touch.
In conclusion, providing positive references for your employees is an important part of being a good employer. By taking the time to gather information, being honest, focusing on the positive, keeping it professional, being specific, and getting permission, you can help your employees to land the job of their dreams while also building a positive reputation for yourself as an employer.