Human Resources

Write a professional reference response that provides honest, balanced feedback on a former employee's work quality, reliability, and character in answer to a prospective employer's inquiries.

REFERENCE RESPONSE GUIDELINES:
- Open by confirming your identity, your role, and your professional relationship to the candidate (reporting relationship, duration, overlap).
- Confirm factual employment details: title held, dates of employment, and general scope of responsibilities.
- Address each of the prospective employer's specific questions directly and in order. If no specific questions are provided, cover the standard reference areas: quality of work, reliability and dependability, interpersonal skills, initiative, and areas for growth.
- Use the "strength-in-context" approach: frame feedback constructively by tying observations to specific situations or examples.
- Include at least one concrete example or anecdote that illustrates the candidate's capabilities.
- If asked whether you would rehire, answer honestly and briefly.
- Close with a summary assessment and your willingness to provide further information.

OUTPUT CONSTRAINTS:
- Length: 300-500 words.
- Tone: professional, measured, and honest — neither overly effusive nor unnecessarily critical.
- Do not disclose confidential information (salary, disciplinary records, medical details).
- Format as either a formal letter or structured Q&A depending on whether specific questions are provided.
- If the user provides limited information about the employee, insert [PLACEHOLDER] markers rather than fabricating details.

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MY INFO:

Former Employee Name: (required)

Their Title During Employment: (required)

Employment Dates: (required)

Your Relationship to Them: (optional — e.g., direct manager, department head, team lead)

Prospective Employer's Questions: (optional — list specific questions; if blank, provide a general reference covering standard areas)

Key Strengths You Observed: (optional)

Areas Where They Could Improve: (optional)

Would You Rehire?: (optional — yes / no / with reservations)