references - help to write them

[joko]

i have to write references for a class of adults i tutored, and also i occasionally get asked by assistants ive hired etc too

can anyone give me some ideas? i dont want to be spending days tailoring them too individually, but want to generally state that i thought they were good and id be happy to hire them etc...but i want to write them 'nicely' and cleverly but dont want to just copy and paste for all!

can people suggest some phrases, 'one liners' etc please...
cheers

[york310]

What about terms like dependable, reliable, positive approach to work, adaptable, quick learner, ...

Look at Google images for 'sample references'. Probably loads to pick from

[PipinHull]

Just out of interest, did you really think they were all good, and would you really be happy to hire them? I've been asked to write references on a number of occasions but would rather write them as and when they are required, and when it is for a specific job so I can tailor it, instead of giving them a blanket reference to use over and over again - when I've recruited people I can usually tell which are the generic references and it doesn't look good. I understand that this would probably be very time intensive for you though. What sort of jobs are they going for or does it vary enormously?

[joko]

thnaks, well they were all adequate and some better than others...none i would say were bad...and i want to reflect that in the words i use...i would hire them all...but for diffrent things, depends on what i needed them for

i want to to give general refernces, and i see nothing wrong with that, because the jobs will all be the same sort of thing so no need really to tailor it to the job...if one asked me to write again because a job was more specific or unusual then i would, but generally its the same stuff

they are SFX makeup artists...probably freelancers with potentially a bit of salon work perhaps, but thats not my part....and i wil be commenting on their skills and attitude really.