What is a professional reference letter, really?

April 30, 2007 12:13 PM

"Professional reference letter" from my current employer. What does it mean in this context? And how can I get this without them knowing I'm looking elsewhere?

A company, contracted by a potential employer, has contacted me as part of a pre-employment background check on me. They asked for numerous documents, including a "professional reference letter" on company letterhead, signed by my present employer.

I'm not sure whether they simply want a letter verifying the time period I've worked here and what my titles/job duties have been, or if they want a full recommendation. Anyone out there have any idea? I don't want to send them what looks like a non-recommendation from my boss if they're expecting a recommendation (i.e. just the facts with no kind words.)

The follow-up question: Do I have any options in this case if I prefer not to tip off my current employer that I'm close to taking a job elsewhere?

posted by gazole to Work & Money (9 answers total)

It's difficult not to tip off your current employer asking for this. The best option here is to tell your new prospective employer that your current employer does not know you're looking, and therefore you can't provide this letter, but it is likely you could provide one after giving notice.

Better if you can substitute some older letters instead if you have them.
posted by poppo at 12:31 PM on April 30, 2007

Also, a good way to grab professional references without seeming like you're getting ready to jump: Join one of the more business-oriented social networking sites, like LinkedIn. Ask your boss or colleague to write you a reference there. Done in a non-chalant manner, it should seem only like you are building up your LinkedIn profile, not necessary looking for another job.
posted by poppo at 12:34 PM on April 30, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks for the tips, poppo. One thing complicating this is that it's a third-party company doing the background check and I don't have a callback number for them.

One solution I'm considering, I should add, is a recently retired former boss - I can prepare the letter on letterhead, and have him sign it. When I had the background-check people on the phone, I did think to ask if that would be OK, and they said yes.

This still leaves unresolved the question about what should be in the letter, though.
posted by gazole at 12:45 PM on April 30, 2007

To me it sounds like just a letter confirming that you work there and other facts, as opposed to a "recommendation." Seems strange that you can't ask for clarification.

I asked my employer for such a letter, when I was thinking of sponsoring a family member overseas for a tourist visa to the US. It never occurred to me that they might think it was for job-hunting. I asked my HR person, not my direct boss. They gave it to me without question.

Without the ability of asking which they want, I'd go with just a letter with the facts of your employment or nothing at all, as opposed to risking either tipping your boss off to your job search or jury-rigging a letter from someone who no longer works there and risking looking sketchy that way.
posted by lampoil at 12:58 PM on April 30, 2007

If this is SecureHire doing the check, let me know.
posted by dr_dank at 1:21 PM on April 30, 2007

One solution I'm considering, I should add, is a recently retired former boss - I can prepare the letter on letterhead, and have him sign it. When I had the background-check people on the phone, I did think to ask if that would be OK, and they said yes.

This sounds like a really bad idea to me, bordering on fraud. The risk of getting caught is probably small, but the ramifications just aren't worth it.
posted by mkultra at 1:48 PM on April 30, 2007

I asked for a letter of employment when I was applying for my mortgage. I asked HR for it, and they just wrote a letter that said I've worked at the company from X till Y, and they didn't forsee me losing my job in the near future. I think a letter like this would work for your purposes.

I know someone else who needed a similar letter to get her car loan. Same process applied, and was a non-issue for HR.
posted by melissa at 1:54 PM on April 30, 2007

Yea, I needed this letter for a car loan as well. Seemed like a non-issue when I spoke with HR to get one.
posted by Lizc at 2:17 PM on April 30, 2007

Letter verifying employment, get it from HR, no problem. Actual refernce letter? Say No. Tell them that you'd be happy to provide references on receiving an offer. You have no idea who's doing the asking and they shouldn't ask you to do this until there's an offer.
posted by theora55 at 8:49 PM on April 30, 2007