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Writing Referrals and Testimonials

A common duty of employers is to write referrals for previous employees and collecting and displaying testimonials for increasing their business. In most cases, there are simple tasks, only requiring the time to sit down and produce the glowing report that the employee deserves or listening to a satisfied customer.

Here are some guidelines for giving employee references—whether for future schooling or another position:

  • Be honest—the worst thing that you can do for a previous employee and their prospective employer is to give false information. Although it might seem like a good idea to ‘help’ the employee out, it may set them up for larger future problems.
  • Be specific—you need to make sure that your reference sounds as though you knew the employee or applicant well.
  • Avoid giving personal feelings
  • Give relevant information
  • Do not give any information that might indicate race, age, disability status, religion, sex, marital status, or ethnic origin.
  • Have documentation—if you are describing a situation, make sure that you have documentation to support the claim.

For phone references or references via mail, the same guidelines apply. If you are called upon to give a reference for a prospective college applicant over the phone without the applicant discussing it with you beforehand, know that you need to have the college applicant’s permission. Be sure to speak with the applicant prior to giving a verbal reference and have them send you a written confirmation of this permission just to keep all your bases covered.

Another thing that you may be called upon to do as an employer is to produce customer testimonials. These are basically references from customers about the quality and services of your company. These testimonials will build trust and gain you new clients. But many people have thought that testimonials are manufactured, so they have been falling out of practice for some businesses. You can use this to your advantage. Testimonials are a great tool for increasing your business credibility.

When you’re beginning to compile testimonials:

  • Find customers or clients that have expressed their satisfaction—most will be glad to write a testimonial for you
  • If customers have made comments about your website—ask if you can use their words in print
  • Find your average customer and try to find out specific details as to how they were pleased with your product and/or service

The point is to get those good reviews out wherever you can. Put them in presentations, on advertising, on your website—anywhere that a potential customer or client might visit is a good place for a testimonial. And for continuing your successful business, writing testimonials can be a great way to draw in new clients and provide credibility to the services and products that you provide.

Julie-Ann Amos is a professional freelance writer, coach/facilitator and consultant, working internationally.  She has worked in the military, public and private sectors, for small and large organisations.  She is the author of a number of books on management topics, and lives in London, UK.  For more information, visit www.hackingreality.com, or her writing website at www.ExquisiteWriting.com

Coming soon - our e-course on writing testimonials.  Email me for further details.