Ask a former manager to be your referee, or write a reference for someone who worked for you. Answer a few questions and the builder writes it, in plain UK wording that sticks to the facts. Free, with nothing to sign up for.
Ask before you give their name to an employer, and choose someone who knows your work well, usually a recent manager. Tell them the job you are applying for, send them the job description and your CV, and say when they might be contacted. Thank them, and let them say no.
Writing a reference for an employee
A reference must be true, accurate and fair. You can't leave out things in a way that gives a misleading picture, and the person can challenge a reference that is unfair or inaccurate. There is no general legal duty to give a reference, though some regulated jobs require one.
Many employers give only the facts: job title and dates of employment. That is allowed, and the builder can write a facts-only reference too.
Job title and dates.
What they were responsible for.
Real examples of their work.
Whether you recommend them, if your policy allows.
Reference letter examples
Asking a former manager for a reference
With the job and what they could speak about.
21 October 2026
Dear Sarah,
Reference request
I hope you are well. I am applying for the role of Operations Manager at Northgate Energy, and I would be very grateful if you would agree to be one of my referees.
You know my work well from my time as your team's operations coordinator, from 2021 to 2024, and I think you are well placed to speak about how I ran the office move and the new booking system.
If you agree, Northgate Energy may contact you. I am happy to send you the job description and my CV so you know what the role involves.
Thank you for considering this. If you would rather not, I will completely understand.
Kind regards,
Alex Morgan
Reference for a former employee
Dates, duties, examples and a recommendation.
21 October 2026
Dear Sir or Madam,
Reference for Aisha Khan
I am writing to provide a reference for Aisha Khan, who worked at Northbank Services as Customer Service Adviser from March 2021 to September 2026.
In this role, Aisha was responsible for handling customer complaints and training new advisers.
She was our highest-rated adviser for customer satisfaction in 2024. When our booking system changed, she wrote the guide the whole team used.
I recommend Aisha for the role of Operations Manager without hesitation.
I am happy to be contacted if you need any more information.
Yours faithfully,
Sarah Jones Operations Manager Northbank Services
Facts-only reference
Job title and dates only, as many employers' policy is.
21 October 2026
Dear Sir or Madam,
Reference for Aisha Khan
I am writing to provide a reference for Aisha Khan, who worked at Northbank Services as Customer Service Adviser from March 2021 to September 2026.
It is Northbank Services's policy to confirm only job titles and dates of employment in references.
I am happy to be contacted if you need any more information.
Yours faithfully,
Sarah Jones Operations Manager Northbank Services
Questions people ask
Does an employer have to give a reference?
Usually not: there is no general legal duty, except in some regulated jobs. If they do give one, it must be true, accurate and fair.
Can a reference be bad?
It can include negative facts if they are true and fair, but it must not be misleading. Many employers confirm only job titles and dates to avoid disputes.
Who should I ask to be my referee?
A recent manager who knows your work well. For a first job, a teacher, tutor or volunteer leader can give a character reference instead.
Can I see a reference written about me?
Not always. Data protection law exempts references given in confidence from a subject access request, for both the employer who wrote it and the one who received it, though many will share it if you ask.
More letters for work
Resignation letter: Notice to leave, with your last working day worked out.
Retirement letter: Formal notice that you're retiring, with your last day worked out.
Character reference: For a job, a tenancy or court, written from real examples.
Job offer letters: Accept, decline or ask for more, with your resign-by date.