The Take Your Skills guides

Practical advice for the moments that matter in a team.

The right words, the right gift and the right tone, whether they chose to go or not.

• Retirement gift ideas for a colleague: 15 ideas and 12 card messagesWhat to give a colleague who's retiring: 15 gift ideas for their hobbies, plans and career, how to organise a group gift, and 12 card messages to copy.Updated on 9 November 2026Read
• Announcing an employee leaving: 16 email templates for managersHow to announce that someone in your team is leaving: agreeing it first, timing, what not to say, and 16 emails to copy for staff and clients.Updated on 9 November 2026Read
• Leaving book for a colleague: ideas and 20 messages to writeHow to put together a leaving book for a colleague: paper or online, keeping it secret, handing it over, and 20 messages to write inside.Updated on 5 November 2026Read
• Leaving messages for an intern: 30 examples to copy30 leaving messages for an intern or placement student: from the team, from their supervisor, short lines for the card, and a goodbye email for interns.Updated on 15 October 2026Read
• Virtual leaving party: 12 ideas for a remote colleagueHow to say goodbye to a remote colleague: running a leaving party on video, 12 ideas, a card and a gift that travel, and 8 messages to copy.Updated on 13 October 2026Read
• Leaving gift for your boss: 10 ideas and 12 card messagesWhat to get your boss when they leave without it looking like flattery: 10 gift ideas, how to organise it as a team, and 12 card messages to copy.Updated on 12 October 2026Read
• Online group leaving card: how to get the whole team to signHow to make an online group leaving card for a colleague: your options, the steps, keeping it secret, handing it over, and 16 short messages to copy.Updated on 15 October 2026Read
• Leaving collection for a colleague: how to run it, with 20 messagesHow to run a leaving collection for a colleague: a free collection of recommendations, the money pot, choosing the gift, and 20 messages to copy.Updated on 8 October 2026Read
• How to organise a leaving do or farewell party, with 24 invitationsOrganising a leaving do? Pub drinks, team lunch or office send-off, the money pot, the card, speeches, remote colleagues, and 24 invitations to copy.Updated on 12 October 2026Read
• Retirement speech for a colleague: 14 lines to say and writeA retirement speech for a colleague that does a whole career justice: a simple structure, 14 lines and card messages to use, and what to steer clear of.Updated on 1 October 2026Read
• Colleague made redundant? What to say and how to help (13 examples)A colleague's been made redundant or let go? What to say, what to avoid, 13 example messages and practical ways to help with the job search.Updated on 27 September 2026Read
• Leaving gift ideas for a colleague: 21 that actually land21 leaving gift ideas for a colleague, cheap or generous, plus how to run the money pot and how to hand the present over at the leaving party.Updated on 25 September 2026Read
• What to write in a leaving card: 67 farewell messages for a colleagueStuck on a leaving card? Get three messages in thirty seconds with our free generator, or pick from 67 for a close friend, your manager or a retirement.Updated on 1 October 2026Read
• Farewell speech for a colleague: a structure and 30 lines to sayHow to give a farewell speech for a colleague: a five-part structure, 30 lines you can say as they are, and the right words for every kind of leaving.Updated on 1 October 2026Read

The right words for a birthday, a new baby, a promotion, a new starter or a thank you.

• Thank you message for a colleague: 40 examples to copy40 ways to thank a colleague for their help at work: quick favours, crunch weeks, cover while you were off, mentors, your manager and the whole team.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• Congratulations on your promotion: 45 messages for a colleague45 promotion messages for a colleague: a close friend, someone you barely know, a peer who's now your line manager, a group card or a public comment.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• Welcome message for a new colleague: 40 examples to use40 welcome messages for a new colleague: from the team, the line manager, an all-staff email, a remote starter, an intern, and how to introduce yourself.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• Maternity leave card messages: 40 ideas for a colleagueWhat to say to a colleague going on maternity leave: 40 card messages for a close friend, your manager or a group card, plus gentle humour.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• Birthday messages for a colleague: 50 ideas for the card50 birthday messages for a colleague: close friends, your line manager, the office card, funny lines that won't offend, remote colleagues and belated wishes.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• New baby messages for a colleague: 45 card messages to copyWhat to write in a new baby card for a colleague: 45 messages for someone close, your line manager, a group card, twins, adoption and a team gift.Updated on 3 October 2026Read

How to ask for, write and use the recommendations that make a difference.

• How to write a testimonial for a freelancer: 24 examplesWriting a testimonial or recommendation for a freelancer you've hired: what to include, a simple structure and 24 examples by type of work to copy.Updated on 22 October 2026Read
• LinkedIn recommendation examples: 30 to copy and adapt30 LinkedIn recommendation examples for a colleague, your manager, an intern, a client or a freelancer, plus how to write one and how to ask for one.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• Reference letter template: how to write one, with 30 examplesA reference letter template for an employee you can copy, plus 30 example paragraphs, openings and sign-offs, and how UK references usually work.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• Reference for an intern: a template and 30 example paragraphsHow to write a reference for an intern, placement student or apprentice: a full template and 30 example paragraphs for jobs, graduate schemes and courses.Updated on 3 October 2026Read
• How to ask for a reference: 13 messages you can send todayHow to ask for a reference or recommendation: who to ask, when, what to give your referee, and 13 ready-to-send emails and messages to adapt.Updated on 25 September 2026Read
• Employment references: 15 questions employers ask your refereesWhat employers ask your referees in a UK reference check: 15 typical questions, what a reference can say, and what to do if your last employer lets you down.Updated on 25 September 2026Read
• How to ask for a client testimonial: 12 messages for freelancersHow to ask a client for a testimonial as a freelancer: when to ask, what to get them to write, where to show it, and 12 messages ready to send.Updated on 25 September 2026Read

Preparing for an appraisal, changing careers, understanding how you work.

• Will AI take my job? 8 soft skills it can't replaceWill AI take your job? 8 soft skills that stay human, soft skills examples by job, and how to show them on your CV.Updated on 25 September 2026Read
• Career change: find your transferable skills, with 12 examplesChanging careers? How to spot your transferable skills, put them in your new field's language and prove them on your CV and at interview, with 12 examples.Updated on 25 September 2026Read
• Self-appraisal examples: 30 phrases to use in your annual reviewHow to prepare for your appraisal: review your year, write your self-assessment with 30 example phrases, then raise training, progression and pay calmly.Updated on 25 September 2026Read
• Personality test for work: what it can tell you, and what it can'tWhat a personality test for work can tell you, where it stops, how to read your result, and why it's worth setting beside what your colleagues say.Updated on 25 September 2026Read

What sets the best apart in each role, and how to show it.

• What makes a great product manager? Skills and 8 example referencesWhat sets great product managers apart, what engineers and clients really notice, common mistakes, and 8 example references you can adapt.Updated on 2 October 2026Read
• What makes a great software developer: 8 reference examplesThe qualities that set great software developers apart, what colleagues and hiring managers notice, and 8 reference examples you can adapt.Updated on 2 October 2026Read
• What makes a great project manager? 8 reference examplesWhat separates a good project manager from a great one: the skills colleagues notice, common mistakes, and 8 reference examples to adapt.Updated on 2 October 2026Read
• What makes a great salesperson? Skills and 8 recommendation examplesThe qualities that set a great salesperson apart, what clients and hiring managers really notice, and 8 recommendation examples you can adapt.Updated on 2 October 2026Read