A reference letter is a formal and concise document, and you usually won’t find extensive descriptions in it. A document has to contain certain elements to be considered valid. It must contain:
- The start date and end date of your employment with this employer
- The amount of hours per week you worked for this employer
- Your position in the company and the duties that came with it
In some cases the employer will add some more information to the letter. For example, they might discuss your performance, why you no longer work for them, and the circumstances under which your employment with them ended. Keep in mind that your employer has the right to criticise or negatively describe your performance in this document. If you didn’t leave your previous employer on amicable terms, it might be best not to ask for a reference letter.