How To Write a Reference Letter for a Laid-Off Colleague in 5 Steps

For many, the news of being laid off can be quite difficult to process. Not only is this news emotionally challenging, but it can also present practical implications with implications for future job opportunities. For example, a reference letter from a former employer can be invaluable in the job search and application process. As such, it is important to approach the task of obtaining a reference letter from a former employer after being laid off with a professional demeanor. This blog post will discuss the importance of a reference letter from a former employer and provide guidance on how to go about obtaining one after being laid off. It will cover specific tips for making a request for a reference letter, discussing the importance of crafting a formal request, maintaining a professional tone, and emphasizing the value of a positive relationship. Additionally, it will provide steps for following up with former employers and other best practices to ensure that requests are efficiently handled.

What does a layoff reference letter include?

While the specifics of a reference letter for a laid-off worker may vary depending on the candidate’s credentials and the kinds of positions they intend to pursue, the following topics are frequently covered in these letters:

What is a layoff reference letter?

A former boss or coworker may provide a layoff reference letter on behalf of a person who has lost their job, outlining their professional background, aptitudes, and work ethics. When applying for a new job, submitting a reference letter along with the application may give the applicant a competitive edge. While reference letters and recommendation letters both attest to a candidate’s qualifications, a letter of recommendation typically focuses on a particular job application while a reference letter provides a more general description of the candidate’s qualifications.

Layoff reference letter template

Here is a sample letter of recommendation for a worker who has been laid off:

[Your name]
[Your position]
[Company name]
[Company city and state]
[Phone number]
[Email address]

[Date]

Dear [addressee name or “Hiring manager”]

This letter serves as an employment reference for [candidate name]. From [start date] to [end date], [candidate name] worked for [company name]. In [his/her] work as a [candidates former position] at that time, [he/she] demonstrated [summarize key qualities]. Unfortunately, [candidate name] was fired as a result of [brief explanation, if appropriate]. I was [his/her] [insert relationship between yourself and candidate] while [he/she] was working at [company name].

[Explain the candidates’ strong points, mentioning any important roles they played and noteworthy projects or accomplishments]

I heartily endorse [applicant name] for any position or career they may choose. They may contribute to any organization and have the [critical skills] needed to succeed in their professional careers, in my opinion.

Please call me at [phone number] or send me an email at [email address] if you have any questions. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your title]

How to write a reference letter for a laid-off colleague

Here’s a five-step process for writing a recommendation letter for a coworker who was laid off:

1. Get approval and review materials

Ask your manager or HR team whether current employees are permitted to write references for former coworkers if a laid-off worker requests one from you. If you’re given the go-ahead to write the letter, request that your former coworker send you copies of both their most recent resume and a sample job description for the position they want. You can write a beneficial letter to the employee by having an understanding of the kinds of jobs they hope to get. Additionally, you can refer to records of performance evaluations, work samples, and your own assessments of an employee’s abilities and working style.

2. Create a list of points

Make a list of the important qualifications you want to include before you start drafting. Include details about the candidates’ duties in previous positions and any noteworthy accomplishments they may have made while working for the business. If the applicant worked as a sales representative, for instance, you might point out how frequently they exceeded their monthly or quarterly quotas or any records they set. Additionally, you can make observations about the candidate, depending on how well you get along with them at work. For instance, if you were a teammate, you might mention their capacity for cooperation or support for their teammates.

3. Write a first draft of the letter

Include all of your contact information in the letter, along with any knowledge you may have regarding the recipient. You may address the reference letter to “Hiring manager” rather than a specific person because reference letters don’t always focus on a single job application. Next, write a few paragraphs outlining the candidate’s credentials for a professional position. You can alter the letter to fit the job if the applicant provided information regarding the positions they hope to pursue. Lastly, include your contact information and a request to talk more about the candidate.

4. Edit and proofread your letter

After finishing the letter, read it again and make any necessary revisions. You can identify areas for improvement by reading the letter aloud to yourself or by reading each sentence backwards. To fix grammar mistakes and enhance your word choice, think about using grammar checker software. You can also ask your manager or another coworker to read the letter and offer comments on tone, language use, and structure if the candidate gives you their permission first.

5. Send the letter

The candidate may give you the recipient address if the reference letter is for a particular position or course of study. Print the reference letter on professional paper and mail it to the specified address to send to a physical address. You might receive an email address from the applicant where you can send a digital copy of the reference letter. Consider saving the letter as a PDF and sending it as an attachment to an email if you want to email a reference letter. You could send the applicant a PDF of a general reference letter so they can add it to their applications.

Layoff reference letter example

Here is a sample of a letter that could be used as a template when creating your own:

Wallace Gordon
Software Sales Lead
GHIJ Software
Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 444-4444
[email protected]

December 19, 2021

Dear Hiring Manager,

This letter serves as an employment reference for Sheila Goodwin. Sheila worked for GHIJ Software between June 2018 and December 2021. She demonstrated outstanding leadership, exceptional communication abilities, and dedication to her work as a Software Sales Representative during that time. Sadly, Sheila was let go as a result of a merger between GHIJ Software and another company, which led to a restructuring of the business. I was her team leader while she worked at GHIJ Software, so I trained and coached her throughout her career in software sales.

Sheila has consistently impressed me with her commitment to doing her best work. During her tenure at GHIJ Software, she consistently delivered strong sales numbers, surpassing her monthly quota 70% of the time She also set a record for her region’s monthly software subscription sales. When Sheila oversaw an internal project to enhance GHIJ Software’s cold call sales script, she added project management to her repertoire of abilities. Her new script improved the sales teams conversion rate for cold calls by 30%

I would strongly advise Sheila to pursue any position or career she chooses. She might be a benefit to any company because I think she has the tenacity and capacity for lifelong learning needed to succeed in her professional endeavors.

Please get in touch with me at (404) 444-4444 or wallace if you have any questions. gordon@email. com. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Wallace Gordon
Sales Lead

Tips for writing a layoff reference letter

You can use the following advice to make your reference letter for a layoff effective:

Describe the layoff reason concisely

It can be useful to mention the reason in your letter if a candidate was fired due to administrative or financial issues. By explaining what transpired, a candidate can convince a hiring manager that they can still contribute significantly to their company despite having been laid off in the past. When you provide a layoff reason, be specific but brief. As an illustration, you might mention that departmental cuts were made as a result of the company’s budget shortfall. Include more details about the candidates’ strengths and the contributions they made to the company during their employment after describing the reason for the layoff.

Include specific examples

You can give specifics about the projects the candidate oversaw or the objectives they attained while employed when describing the candidate’s qualifications. A hiring manager can better understand a candidate’s strengths and see how the candidate can benefit their business by receiving concrete examples. If the applicant was employed by the company in a logistics position at the time you worked with them, for instance, you could highlight the amount of inventory they moved, the supply chain management tools they used, or the advancements they made to the warehouse system.

Emphasize soft skills

Indicating a candidate’s soft skills can help them land a job in a variety of fields because they may use a reference letter for multiple jobs. Soft skills are character traits that can make a person successful at their job. Examples include communication, prioritization and problem-solving skills. Include information about the applicant’s soft skills and how they applied them to their job responsibilities in your reference letter. For instance, in a reference letter for a customer service representative who was laid off, you might discuss how they utilized their interpersonal and communication abilities to address client concerns.

6 Common Character Reference Letter Mistakes

FAQ

How do you ask for a reference after layoff?

1. Threaten the offender with a libel lawsuit and confront them
2. Obtain a second company employee to act as your reference.
3. Tell potential employers to call human resources for a reference.

How do you write a letter for a laid off employee?

1. Address the letter directly to the employee. …
2. Be direct and concise about the layoff. …
3. Thank the employee for their contributions. …
4. Provide guidance for benefits and pay. …
5. List relevant resources for the employee. …
6. Include your name, title and contact info.

Should you mention being laid off?

Explaining a Layoff in Your Cover Letter If, rather than a performance-related issue, your termination was the result of a layoff, you might want to mention it in your cover letter. As you may have read, (company name) announced a round of layoffs, and my position was eliminated as a result.

What to tell employees when someone is laid off?

“Get straight to the point, be sincere, and avoid small talk.” Stybel advises saying, “I have some bad news to deliver today,’ because it emotionally prepares the person for the conversation.