Let's get your reference right

I want to write you a reference that actually helps you land the next thing — specific, honest, and in your own terms. Rather than guess, I'd rather you tell me. It takes about ten minutes.

Write in plain language, dot points are completely fine. Nothing here is a test — the more concrete you are, the better the letter I can write.

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Who you are

So the letter is addressed and spelled correctly, and I know where to send it.

Full name, as you'd like it written

What you go by (optional)

Email to send the reference to

Phone (optional)

LinkedIn or portfolio (optional)

City / country (optional)

The role

If your title changed over time, give me the most recent one — or both.

Your job title

Use the title you'd want a future employer to see, as long as it's a fair description of the work.

When you started

Month and year is plenty.

When you finished

What you actually did

This is the part that makes a reference useful rather than generic.

Your main responsibilities

The things you were relied on for, week in week out. Dot points are ideal.

Tools, software and technical skills you'd like named

Anything you want a future employer to see in writing — editing suites, helpdesk systems, languages, frameworks, platforms, accounting software.

Work you're proud of

Specific beats general. A project you led, a problem you solved, a number that moved, something you built that's still in use. Two or three is plenty.

How you'd like to come across

Tell me what to emphasise and I'll emphasise it.

Qualities or strengths you'd like mentioned

e.g. reliability, attention to detail, working across time zones, staying calm under pressure, training others.

What kind of role are you going for next? (optional)

If I know the target, I can angle the letter towards it.

Who should the letter be addressed to?

To Whom It May Concern A specific person or company

Anything you'd prefer I didn't mention (optional)

Anything else

Anything else you want me to know (optional)

Only I see these answers. They're used to write your reference and nothing else.

Your answers save in this browser as you type, so you can close the tab and come back.