ClauseryFree employment reference letter template (Word)
A reference letter for a former employee or colleague with their role, dates, responsibilities, a list of strengths and an optional recommendation for a specific role.
No sign-up. Your answers stay in your browser. Who it is for: Managers asked to write references, and HR teams who want them consistent.
Updated · Word (.docx) · Free to use and adapt
Need more than one? Download all 87 templates as one .zip file.
What is in the reference letter
- Candidate, role and dates
- How you know the candidate
- Main responsibilities
- Optional list of strengths
- Optional recommendation for a target role
- Your contact details
Read the full template
This is the complete wording. [Labels] are filled in from your answers, and highlighted text only appears when it applies; hover over it to see when.
LETTER OF REFERENCE
[Letter date]
To whom it may concern,
I am pleased to provide this reference for [Candidate name], who worked with me at [Company name] as [Job title] from [Start date] to [End date]. I was [Relationship] during this time.
[Candidate first name]'s main responsibilities included [Responsibilities].
In my experience, [Candidate first name]'s particular strengths are:
Repeated for each strength
- [Strength]
I recommend [Candidate first name] without reservation for [Target role].
Please feel free to contact me at [Referee email] or [Referee phone] if you would like to discuss this further.
Yours faithfully,
[Referee name]
[Referee title], [Company name]
The questions you answer
Clausery turns the template into a short questionnaire. Optional parts only appear when they apply.
| Question | Type | Asked when |
|---|---|---|
| Letter date | Date | Always |
| Candidate name | Short text | Always |
| Company name | Short text | Always |
| Job title | Short text | Always |
| Start date | Date | Always |
| End date | Date | Always |
| Relationship | Short text | Always |
| Candidate first name | Short text | Always |
| Responsibilities | Long text | Always |
| Has strengths | Yes / no | Always |
| Strengths For each item: Strength | Repeating group | Always |
| Include recommendation | Yes / no | Always |
| Target role | Short text | If “Include recommendation” is yes |
| Referee email | Always | |
| Has phone | Yes / no | Always |
| Referee phone | Phone | If “Has phone” is yes |
| Referee name | Short text | Always |
| Referee title | Short text | Always |
How to use it
Open it
Click Fill it in now. The template opens in Clausery with its questionnaire ready.
Answer the questions
Work through the sections. Drafts save as you type, on your device.
Download the document
Get a finished Word file with your formatting intact, or print it to PDF.
Prefer to start from your own wording? Download the Word file, edit it, keep the {tags}, and upload it to Clausery. See the template syntax.
Questions
What should a reference include?
Facts you can stand behind: dates, role, responsibilities and strengths you observed. Keep opinions fair and accurate.
Can I list several strengths?
Yes. Add as many as you like and each becomes a bullet point.
Is it really free?
Yes. The download is free, and filling it in with the Clausery app is free too, with unlimited documents. Library templates never count towards a plan limit, and no account or card is needed.
Is my information uploaded anywhere?
No. Clausery runs entirely in your browser. Your answers and the finished document are created and stored on your own device.
Is this legal advice?
No. These are general samples. Laws differ between countries and states, so have the wording reviewed for your situation before you rely on it.
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This template is a general sample and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction; have it reviewed before use.