Work certificate, job reference, and letter of recommendation

Video transcript:

Work certificate, job reference, and letter of recommendation

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Diana has resigned from her job. In order to have better chances when applying for a new job, she thinks it’s good to be able to show a job reference. But how can she get one? And is it the same as a work certificate? How does it differentiate from a letter of recommendation?

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Don’t worry! Let’s have a look at the three types of documents one after the other!

Work certificate

A work certificate is a letter in which the employer explains that Diana is currently or has been employed by him or her. It includes Diana’s name, her address, and the extent of their employment (full-time, part-time, and minimal).

You need a work certificate if you become unemployed in order for the job centre to see if they have a claim to the jobseeker’s allowances.

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Job reference

A job reference usually includes the following information: general information about the employee, the exact name of the employer, the length of the employment relationship, and the type of activities.

The description of the activities gives a clear picture of what activities were undertaken by the employee and usually includes detailed information such as if an employee switches positions within the company. 

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Letter of recommendation

A letter of recommendation is an informal letter written by a person, who is usually in a position of responsibility, recommending you to a potential employer. A letter of recommendation is always subjective. It includes a description of the author’s work experience with you and his/her assessment mainly of your character and social skills, as well as your professional skills. A letter of recommendation may be written by a person with whom you have worked in the past such as a former manager or teacher but cannot be from a friend or relative.

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Now Diana knows the difference between a work certificate, a job reference, and a letter of recommendation and how she can receive each of these documents.