For professional reference letters, how specific does the job position or company does the reference writer ,?

Question

need to know? I need two professional reference letters, and I wonder other than confirming that they can write a good reference for me and have good knowledge about my working abilitiy that do they need to specifically address the letter to a specific company or employer or tailor it to the type of position? Aren't reference letters supposed to be versatile enough to use for any job or school you apply for within your fields of work?

Answer 1

Reference letters for schools, yes, should be "generic" or versatile enough to be sent to multiple schools. It's understood that you're applying to more than one college or university.

Reference letters for professional positions, should be somewhat tailored to the position you're seeking, but not so much so that it couldn't be used for a separate position sought within the same industry. This particular type of reference letter should be tailored to your specific skill sets and abilities applicable to the position you're applying for. However, if you've moved from one field to another within your career path, it might be beneficial to have a sampling of reference letters written within each field, tailored to that specific field.

It's within your cover letter that you get specific. Highlight your skills and qualifications, and how they make you the correct candidate for the position you're applying for. There is nothing worse than a generic cover letter.

When I was in HR, I wouldn't even look at a resume if the attached cover letter was bland or generic. If it was, it signaled that the applicant was more than likely applying to multiple companies for multiple positions. If they couldn't even take the time to properly write a cover letter that addressed my company and our advertised position specifically, then how serious were they about the getting the job?

The cover letter in the first impression (it's where your professional personality is expressed), the resume is second, references are third.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

You're correct, both ways... they can be generic or specific. Some employers will give a transitioning employee a letter of reference, saying that they are a good employee, person, blah blah blah. Others, say someone that you've done some sort of special project with, may write something to the effect that your skills would be great for XYZ company, in the ABC position. It really has a lot to do with how well you are acquainted with your reference and how willing they are to help you.
Good luck

Answer 3

They are giving you a refernce for your past performance - it is not tailored to a position you could expect to get unless there are specific skills you want mentioned. Otherwise, these letters talk more about what kind of work you performed and what skills you used to do it.

You are correct in that you use these letters as a reference for any and all positions.

Answer 4

regularly companies in basic terms follow via with references in the event that they heavily are thinking you for that place. They actual does no longer try this verify purely out of interest - it would serve no purpose. i might individually enable the business company to flow forward with following the references via. you will possibly desire to constantly innovations-set your present day enterprise....HR or your boss and clarify that they might hear from yet another business company soliciting for a reference. You business company might coach an interest as to why that's beneficial to leave yet on an identical time they might desire to (if professional) comprehend you should extra your profession and could % to head onto something extra ideal be that place or earnings. i'm confident each little thing would be positive, do no longer concern. good success!