A letter of recommendation is an important part of an application. It highlights the key characteristics and achievements of the candidate. It is also a great opportunity for recipients to see an applicant from another perspective. When writing one, make sure it is professional and appropriate.
A letter of recommendation can be a crucial component in the
hiring process. The information provided in these letters tells the recipient a
lot about the applicant. It can even inform them whether the applicant is
worthy of consideration.
If you’re in a leadership position, someone might ask for a
letter of recommendation to showcase their best qualities. Here is what to know
so that the letter has the right message, language, and formatting.
Letters of recommendation help recipients decide if
admitting or employing the applicant is a good idea. Since these letters are
recommendations based on work or academic performance, the information helps
recipients make a more informed decision.
Writing a letter of recommendation is intimidating because
you want to help the applicant obtain the position. Luckily, there are specific
factors to keep in mind while writing to make the process easier.
When writing, it’s key to remember the purpose and goal behind
the letter. It’s also key to be clear and specific throughout the letter.
Lastly, you should use formal and professional language.
Know the Purpose
A letter of recommendation must focus on the desired
position or role. Any qualities or attributes mentioned in the letter should
have the overall job or program requirements in mind.
The applicant can provide the writer with this information,
including:
- The
job or program description
- General
requirements
- Resume
- Related
skills or achievements
Take all of these factors into consideration while writing.
Be Specific
Include examples and details about the person. A template simplifies
organizing ideas, but the letter should still be personal to the applicant’s
skills and experiences.
Consider the information the reader might not know based on
the applicant’s resumé or application. As Rhona Barnett-Pierce,
founder of How To Level Up, says, “A recommendation
from a credible source could be the difference between you getting
hired or being moved to the rejection pile. Recruiters and hiring managers
[love] social proof. It helps ease the nerves of hiring a stranger. But you
want to make sure and have recommendations that are genuine and not the generic
ones everyone else has.” Even though this refers to obtaining LinkedIn
recommendations, this applies to most types of recommendations.
Avoid using general terms to ensure you come off as a
credible source. Focus on stronger, meaningful adjectives when describing the
applicant’s experience.
Use Formal and Concise Language
The language used in a letter of recommendation should
remain positive yet formal. Keep sentences short to get the point across
quickly.
The letter should be at least one page long. Additionally,
using a business
letter format is best. If you can use your organization’s letterhead,
this makes the letter more professional.
Since this is a professional letter, the formatting is
vital. Include all essential information first, including:
- Date
- Recipient
name and title
- Recipient
address
- Greeting
After these initial points, introduce yourself and provide
your recommendation.
You should convey who you are and how you know the
applicant. Introduce the applicant and discuss why you are offering a
recommendation. Katrina
Kibben, founder and CEO of Three Ears Media, explains, “Yes, something as
simple as how your team introduces
themselves to others matters. A lot.” Being inclusive and considering
the thoughts and feelings of the recipient will help your letter come across
more positively.
It may seem simple but introducing yourself in a way that
emphasizes why the recipient should care is essential.
Overview
This section can emphasize the main qualities of the
applicant, including leadership potential or integrity. Consider the characteristics
that the program or organization is looking for when writing about the
applicant.
Emphasize any of the hard or soft skills the applicant has.
Talk about their work ethic, ability to work on a team and any other valuable
assets.
Testimonials
Use this section to describe how the applicant has
previously performed or expressed excellence in areas related to the position.
This is an excellent opportunity to discuss leadership positions, achievements
and accolades.
Closing Remarks
Provide a brief overview of the recommendation.
Additionally, give the recipient an email address and phone number to follow up
if necessary.
End the letter with your signature.
Reviewing templates for these letters makes it easier to
conceptualize how to create one. Here are some templates for the three main
types of recommendation letters:
- Academic
- Employment
- Character
Add more detail and personalize these letter of
recommendation examples to craft an effective letter. Be specific, discuss your
personal experience and remain succinct.
Academic Recommendation Letters
[Introduction] My name is Dolly Harrison, and I
am an English teacher at Dearborn High School. I am pleased to recommend Bobby
Peters for admission to the [XYZ] program. He is an exemplary student and has
ranked at the top of an exceptional senior class. I taught Bobby in my 11th and
12th grade honors English classes.
[Overview] Bobby has a strong interest in social
justice and would be an ideal fit for your rigorous program. He is a perceptive
and intellectual young man with an aptitude for communication. Bobby works hard
at any task and has a determination to succeed unlike any other I’ve seen in my
eight years of teaching.
[Testimonials] Bobby has been a leader
throughout his years at Dearborn High School, and his eagerness to run for
student offices proves his ambition. He assists in our after-school club with
preparing and leading lessons, and his presentations are some of the most
engaging we have to offer.
[Closing remarks] Mr. Peters has my
recommendation for your program due to the excellence he has displayed during
his time in my class. He has demonstrated a creative and strategic intellect
that will help him in any future role. Bobby is a competent person that will
achieve many things at [name of school] and beyond.
Sincerely,
Dolly Harrison
English Teacher
Dearborn High School
DHarrison@dearborn.k12.us
555 – 555 – 5555
Employment Recommendation Letters
[Introduction] My name is George Cleary of
Cleary Enterprises. I am writing to recommend Anthony Ricci for the [position
name] position at [company name]. Anthony has worked as my executive assistant
for the past four years. He consistently impressed me with his creative
solutions and work ethic. Anthony always goes above and beyond in his work to
ensure no problems go unresolved.
[Overview] Anthony is also a valued member of
our team. He is willing to challenge himself and take on tasks outside his job
description to help others. He’s motivated, eager to assist and always ready to
provide support.
[Testimonials] During his time as my executive
assistant, Anthony helped develop a new organization system to make accessing
digital files more streamlined. He also spent time leading a new initiative
that helped our office waste fewer supplies.
[Closing remarks] We are sad to see Anthony go,
as he is such a dependable part of our team, but he would be a wonderful
addition to [company name]. I am pleased to offer my highest recommendation
regarding his abilities in a working environment.
Yours sincerely,
George Cleary
CEO at Cleary Enterprises
Email: georgemcleary@cleary.com
Phone: 555 – 555 - 5555
Character Recommendation Letters
[Introduction] I am Kelly Smith and have known
Alex Washington for 22 years. I am delighted to write a recommendation
regarding the professional and personal character of Alex. We became close
friends after our sons were in elementary school together many years ago. Since
then, we have worked in the community together on various projects.
[Overview] Alex is a strong, capable person who
puts all their effort into anything they attempt. Throughout the time I have
known Alex, they have always involved themselves in local activities and
community service. Alex has excellent communication skills, which is clear from
their vast experience working with children and young adults in our
community.
[Testimonials] They have proven throughout the years
that they care about the quality and performance of any project they put their
hands on. Alex has been the leader of our church food drive for the past ten
years. Additionally, Alex volunteers their time to work with young 4-H
participants and run an exciting youth book fair each year for all children in
our area.
[Closing remarks] In summary, I would highly
recommend Alex for any endeavor they want to pursue. Alex is a highly
intelligent and caring hard worker that would be an asset to any organization
or program.
Sincerely,
Kelly Smith
k.smith76@yahoos.com
555 – 555 – 5555
Top Takeaways
What is the most effective way to write a letter of
recommendation?
- Remember
the letter of recommendation’s purpose when discussing the candidate.
- Write
a concise, specific and professional letter that represents your honest
perspective.
- Review
sample letters to organize your thoughts, but make the letter personal.