What You Need to Know About References

If you’re fortunate enough to be made a job offer to work on one of the Islands, it will be contingent on obtaining satisfactory professional references from your current/past employers. For work permit application purposes, you are likely to need to provide personal references too. This brief post provides guidance as to the format of typical references; if needed, they can be used as starting points for references of your own.

Professional references

At a minimum, these will need to need to state the position you held at your last company and the dates you worked there. It must be signed by either a manager to whom you reported or by human resources. Ideally, it will also provide some favourable feedback on your work ethic and integrity, and be printed on company letterhead. A professional reference may therefore look something like the following:

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Sir or Madam

Re: Employment reference for Ms Julie Townshend

I have known Julie professionally since she joined the Company in September 2012 as a trainee in the assurance department, a role in which she performed audit engagements and prepared statutory accounts for a variety of our office’s major clients.

I have always found Julie to be professional, reliable and motivated in her work. She is a good team player as well as being able to work independently. In April Julie’s hard work and exam success were recognised when she was promoted to Audit Senior. I recommend her unreservedly to any future employer.

Do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.

Yours sincerely

Referee Name & Job Title

Personal references

A personal reference will need to come from a non-relative and preferably from somebody who has known you for a number of years. It will be a short statement confirming your good character and personal integrity. If the letter can be issued by a qualified doctor, accountant, lawyer or similar then so much the better (it’s not a requirement but it looks impressive).

A personal reference may therefore look something like the following:

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Sir or Madam

Re: Personal reference for Mr John Richards

Please accept this letter as a personal reference for Mr John Richards. I have known John for approximately 10 years, having lived in the same town.

During this time, I have found John to be a conscientious and honest individual with an outgoing personality who conducts his affairs with complete integrity. I recommend his character unreservedly as an asset to any company that may seek to employ him.

Do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.

Yours sincerely

Referee Name

If you are a lawyer or chartered accountant and interested in working in the Bermuda/Caribbean region, visit our jobs portal to see the latest vacancies. Our site also includes a downloadable All You Need to Know guide which will tell you all you need to know about living and working offshore.