How to Write an Authentic Employee Testimonial
Somewhere out there is a job applicant who is searching for information on a potential employer. A 2018 MRNI Reputation Management Survey involving 400 respondents, found that jobseekers frequently “conduct due diligence” on companies. Meanwhile, 28 per cent of job applicants rely on employee testimonials.
At some point in your professional life, you were either one of those jobseekers who benefited from an employee testimonial or something who wished they did. This article teaches you how to write a company review to help other job hunters. Learning to evaluate a previous employer well will also benefit your former firm.
What Is an Employee Testimonial?
An employee testimonial is a short review written by current and past workers. It usually comprises the pros and cons of working on the job. It may also include details such as the company culture, descriptions of the work environment, team dynamics, and salary range.
Why Are Employee Testimonials Important for Jobseekers?
In the same manner employers conduct background checks on job candidates, you can (and should) perform a background check on your future employer. Study the performance and stability of the company, but also check if the job fits how you want to work – especially if you are seeking long-term employment. Read up on its culture, ethics, and work environment. These considerations sometimes take a backseat during the job-seeking and hiring process but are essential if you want to thrive at work.
While employee testimonials can be hard to find, some sites provide authentic assessments, such as JobStreet.
Apart from breaking down your thoughts into "The good things" and "The challenges," JobStreet also lets employees leave ratings so you can see how the company stacks up against other companies in the same industry.
What Should Be in a Testimonial?
What should you include when composing a testimonial? Recall your time as a jobseeker. What information were you looking for that would make you sign the hiring sheet or, at least, send in a resume?
Employees usually share what they like about working in the company, such as high salary rates or a conducive and motivating working environment. You might also want to share the challenges you regularly experience, such as poor resources, management concerns, or working overtime.
What Do You Get From Reading Employee Testimonials?
Authentic company reviews allow you to make better decisions about your employment. Below are the specific benefits of writing a professional and credible evaluation:
Discover what satisfies and disappoints employees.
Reviews are a great way to learn if a company's employees are happy or not. Knowing how satisfied employees are would give you an idea of how contented you would be if you were to work there.
Check concerns that matter to you.
Are you particularly worried about rendering overtime work or getting time off when you need it? Or how fast employees get promoted? Employee testimonials can enlighten you on how the company handles these aspects of the job. You can then evaluate if their practices align with your ideals.
Bring up relevant questions during the interview process.
Hirers usually ask whether or not you have any questions during job interviews. While some candidates decline this opportunity, coming prepared with carefully considered inquiries about the company is an effective way to show your interest and enthusiasm. Read up on employee testimonials before the interview to impress upon your interviewer that you did your due diligence. Clarify any comments you saw in a review, particularly about company culture and work environment.
However, take care not to challenge the hirer about negative reviews. Remember, you are the one being interviewed – it's not an inquisition on the company. Phrase your questions professionally. For example, if you read that the company demands a lot of overtime, you can ask: "How often is overtime expected? What are the policies for overtime?"
Get the inside scoop.
Get insider information about downsizing, management changes, or even a company’s plans. Employees can give you the lowdown on insider news that are not readily available to the public.
Help Other Jobseekers by Writing an Employee Testimonial or Company Review
If employee testimonials helped you when you were looking for employment, return the favour by writing an objective evaluation of your current or past employers.
Start crafting your testimonial today with these tips.
Be professional.
Make sure not to see an employee testimonial as a way to rant. You will want others to see your testimonial as authentic and credible, after all. Keep your emotions in check. Write it objectively and with concrete examples. State your length of employment and what department you are from.
Example:
I worked in the Marketing department for 5 years. During my employment…
Be objective.
Writing with objectivity is part of presenting yourself as a professional. Keep your emotions in check, and do not get carried away. Back your opinions with examples instead of merely stating your feelings. Have a friend or colleague read the review to see if you have the proper tone of voice.
For example, instead of saying, "I hated working on a project my senior gave me at the last minute," you can phrase it as, "My senior assigned me a last-minute project that required two days of overtime. The time frame was not conducive to me doing my best."
Emotions may cloud your testimonial as biased and personal. Let the facts speak for themselves and allow the reading jobseeker to form their conclusions.
Be accurate.
Get the details right. Nothing would undermine a testimonial worse than erroneous information. Even incorrectly stating the title of the office will make readers think that you never actually worked there.
Be fair.
Make it balanced. If you write with honesty and fairness, your testimonial will be perceived as more credible.
How Do You Begin Writing an Employee Testimonial?
Here are some examples to get you started.
- Since starting at the xxx company, I have learned…
- The best part about working for xxx company is…
- I enjoyed…
- One way xxx company can improve is by…
- What makes the job challenging is…
Need more help? JobStreet makes it easy to write employee testimonials.
Check out this infographic for a detailed guide!
You can also find other examples of employee testimonials here.
Are You Allowed to Write a Negative Testimonial?
As with all things, writing a negative testimonial can have consequences so you must have a very valid reason for writing one. Think about what it will accomplish and if this is what you want. While testimonials are about your personal experience, the consequences are far-reaching and may affect the company's current and future employment prospects.
If you feel the need to write a negative testimonial, here are some things to consider:
- First, ask yourself what your purpose is in wanting to write a negative testimonial. Testimonials are not vehicles for revenge, they are meant to help a jobseeker make an informed decision. Testimonials also tell companies how to improve. Thus, if you want to share unsavoury experiences, write them in a way that is constructive and helpful.
- Stay on course, don’t make it personal. In the same vein as making sure that your testimonial is helpful to jobseekers and employers, keep personal emotions out of it. You don’t know who will be reading your public post. It may very well be a potential employer who might not want to be at the receiving end of your criticism in the future. Write your testimonial with level-headedness and professionalism.
- Don’t name names. There's no need to risk libel charges. You can tell your story without maligning or embarrassing anyone.
- Stick to facts. You may be called on to provide evidence later on.
- Before posting, make sure the testimonial is something you can commit to. Your testimonial has the potential to affect the company you are reviewing and its employees, so do not take it lightly.
Employee testimonials help job applicants gauge whether or not a job is the right fit for them. Employee feedback also helps companies improve. So when you write your employee testimonial, strive to be authentic, professional, and helpful.
Now that you’ve checked out company review examples and know how to write an employee testimonial, write about your experiences on JobStreet. Have you not signed up yet? Create or update your JobStreet profile today. Download the app from Apple or Google Play. When you’re ready to #SEEKBetter, drop by our Career Resources page for more tips.
