1. Asking for a reference:
Dear Mr/s. ……….. ……………..,
When I left the office, you said that you would give me a letter of recommendation if I were to need one.
I need one now as I have been offered the sort of job that I want, and a satisfactory reference is needed.
Thanks for doing this for me.
Sincerely yours,
Reply to previous letter:
Dear ……….. ……………..,
I was pleased to hear the good news, and wish you all the luck in the world in your new job.
If the reference I have enclosed is not complete enough for your new employer, have him get in touch with me.
Stop in to see me if you have a chance.
2. Checking on a reference:
Dear Mr/s. ……….. ……………..,
Mr. ……….. …………….., has applied for the position of Marketing Manager for this firm.
His application listed your firm as one of his past employers; so we would appreciate your opinion of Mr. ……………..’s ability and character, and details of the kind of work that he did when he was with you.
We will keep all information you supply to us confidential.
Sincerely yours,
Reply to previous letter:
Dear Mr/s. ………… ……………..,
Mr/s. ……….. …………….., about whom you asked in your letter of November 13th, was employed by our firm from ……….. to ……….. . For the last three months, he was our Marketing Manager and did a fine job.
He had to move to your vicinity due to his wife’s ill health, or he would be with us now. We were sorry to lose him.
……….. …………….., is energetic, hard working, and entirely trustworthy. He has plenty of initiative, and knows how to handle a large staff. He will make your firm an excellent Marketing Manager.
Sincerely yours,
Alternative Reply to letter:
Dear Mr/s. ……….. ……………..,
Mr/s. ……….. …………….., about whom you asked in your letter of October 12th, was employed by our firm from … to …. For the last three months he was our Marketing Manager.
We found him entirely honest and trust-worthy, but were forced to end his employment with us due to repeated differences of opinion between him and his superiors.
I must, therefore, confine my reference to his character, which was beyond reproach.
Sincerely yours,
3. Asking for reference:
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your order of December 10th
Before we can ship this merchandise on open account, we must have satisfactory credit references.
This is a routine request, and we are sure you will send us this information at once.
Very truly yours,
Reply to previous letter:
Dear Sir:
Below are the references that you requested in your letter of December 12th:
……………………, Inc.
(Address)
………………………& Co.
(Address)
If these are not sufficient references please let us know at once.
Very truly yours,
4. Checking references:
Dear Sir:
__________ &Co. wants to open an account with us and has given your name as reference.
Would you please let us know if you consider them a good enough risk to give them credit up to $500.00.
Thank you for your help. We will keep your answer confidential.
Very truly yours.
Reply to previous letter:
Dear Sir:
In your letter of December 14th, you asked us to give you reference for ………. &Co.
They have been doing business with us for the past ten years, and our experience with them has always been good.
Since they have never failed to discount their bills, we are sure that you will be safe in giving them credit up to $500.00.
Very truly yours,
Alternative reply to letter No. 4
Dear Sir:
In your letter of December 14th, you asked for reference on ……………… &Co.
At times we have waited from 90 to 120 days before receiving payment and recently were forced to put them on a cash basis.
Very truly yours.