What should I write when emailing references to a potential employer?

Question

I was asked by a potential employer to send my references via email. Do I write a letter? Or do I just shoot a "Here are my references, thank you for the call"? I have never been asked to email references, I've always just attached them to my resume and given them at the interview. I am new to the email reference ettiquete.

Answer 1

Keep it short and simple.

Name
Company
Telephone Number
Email address

Nothing else.

Answer 2

Email Reference Letter

Answer 3

A business letter may be sent via email or FAX, and there are many styles to chose from. Use the same form as you would in a paper letter. Be professional. Don't be casual simply because it is an email.

The concern here is regarding your references. They may not want their information to be emailed or Faxed. Before sending their name, phone number and email address, get their permission first about exactly what you can provide a prospective employer via email or FAX. If they receive an abrupt inquiry from the third party, several bad things could happen. Their email system may scrap the incoming inquiry as spam, or they might just ignore it, or the person to whom you are referring may not use that email at present, or the fax number may be used by several people and the incoming inquiry about you may go to the wrong person, etc etc etc.

So, simplify the process by checking with the reference directly and finding out what you can send out in the email or FAX.

;-D It is one thing to be polite to the prospective employer, but you must guard your references!

Answer 4

An email is considered correspondence and should be written with the same business acumen as a stationary letter. It is not acceptable in business to send emails or chats that are not structurally or grammatically correct.

On the email subject line say something like:
Person's name (Mr/Ms Somebody), Email References, Job Title and number.

Within the email write a BRIEF introduction of who you are and what position you have applied for including title and number. Also mention that you are providing attached to this email the business references that have been requested of you. Include the format used for your references such as .jpg or .doc. End with a statement of how much you look forward to interviewing or working for them and how you can be easily contacted.

Finally, sign the email as you would a business letter with your salutation and formal name.

Good Luck on the new job!

Answer 5

Instead of giving out references, this is what you may want to do instead...

You never know exactly what the people you referred to may say about you. They can cost you a job. Instead, go to the people you are seeking reference and tell them you are in the middle of a career change and ask them if they would serve as reference to you. If the answer if yes, tell them you don't want to trouble them all the time by having strangers calling them. So ask them to just write one letter address to "To whom it may concern", and give that to you.

By doing that, you accomplished several things. You have a chance to look at the references first to make sure they are good. The person whose is writting it would not say anything bad knowing you will be reading it. When your prospective employer asks, you already have it on file and it shows you have your act together. More important, you control what the interviewer sees.

Answer 6

You can start with "Hi" or "Dear"; either is fine. Definitely use the first name though; do not address him as "Mr Smith" (or whatever his name may be). What you have suggested to write is absolutely fine. Don't feel that you need to use flowery language. However, remember to put CV in capital letters, and remember that the number two should be written as "two" and not as "2". However, I work in recruitment and I can assure you that it is NOT standard practice for employers to confirm receipt of applications. Sometimes you will only hear back at all if they will be progressing you to the next stage, and hear nothing at all if not. Otherwise you may get a standard rejection email.

Answer 7

Dear sir or maam,

Here are the references you requested pertaining to job ____

Thank you and I hope to hear from you in the near future.

I will contact you in the next few days to inquire about my interview/resume.

Sincerely, _________