Whether you need a letter of employment verification for a new job or other situation, it is often intimidating to approach your former employer and ask for the letter. Letters of employment verification are different from letters of recommendation. While a recommendation letter talks about your personality and skill level, a letter of employment verification discusses your time employed with a company, your former position, promotions and more.

Contact your former boss, supervisor or the human resources department. Call the company or send a letter stating that you need a verification letter for the position or positions in which you worked while employed with the company.

Discuss what information is needed in your verification letter. Before you contact your former employer, know exactly what you need included in your verification letter. While one situation may only require you to have your former position, salary and time of employment, another letter may require further information, such as detailed information on job duties performed and whether you were a full-time or part-time employee.

Be professional and respectful when you contact the company. Whether you talk on the phone or write a letter, you need to maintain your professionalism. Get to the point of your call or letter. Talking or writing about situations and information that does not pertain to the matter at hand does nothing but waste your time and your former employer's time.

Tell your former employer when the verification letter is needed. You can have the employer send the letter to you in a sealed envelope, or the former employer can send the letter to the place that requires the information.