A letter of recommendation is important when someone applies for a job or to study at a university, as it helps them stand out from other applicants.
For some jobs, candidates may even be requested to attach a letter of recommendation with their application.
Writing an honest letter of recommendation in a positive manner can aid a candidate to find success in their applications and ultimately their future.
Many academic employers aren’t trained to write letters of recommendation and simply turn to free templates online, assigning the task to HR, or even asking students and employees to write their own letter of recommendation – and shamefully adding their signatures.
This is not always their professor or employer’s fault – they tend to be busy people and don’t always have the time, however writing a good letter of recommendation can set your organization or institution apart from others and present an image of positivity and the willingness to put in the effort to want the best for those who work hard and deserve recognition thereof.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t write a letter of recommendation endorsing the applicant if you do not know the applicant or don’t feel comfortable endorsing the applicant.
- Write from your point of view and only for students or employees whose work you can speak to directly.
- Be detailed and provide specifics which may be of most importance when factoring in the student or employee’s skills and competencies as well as their desired career path.
A letter of recommendation is a short summary of your time at an institution or employer. It is generally not longer than one page and follows the basic layout and conventions of a formal letter.
Letters of recommendation can boost an applicant’s appeal and aid in them studying at the institute they want or landing their dream job.
Writer’s Point of View
A letter of recommendation should be written from the point of view of the writer.
This is so that when prospective employers read a letter of recommendation, they know that it was written truthfully and from the perspective of someone who has directly interacted with the individual who the letter of recommendation is for, thus increasing trust and confidence in what was written.
Be Detailed and Provide Specifics
A letter of recommendation is a “letter” hence, you’d follow a similar layout by having a logo or your business name in the header, and your name, address, and contact details aligned left before writing your letter.
Ensure that when writing a letter of recommendation, that you are concise and thorough. Start by including a salutation if you have the name of the person who will be reading the letter.
If it’s a general letter of recommendation, you can write “To Whom it May Concern”, alternatively get right into the first paragraph and explain how you come to know the person whom you are writing about and why you are qualified to write a recommendation on this person and their character.
Remember to provide a date range of when you interacted with the individual too.
In one or two paragraphs, paragraphs dive deeper into the individual’s time at your company or institution and provide details of any standout work or achievements.
Remember to write from your perspective, and to focus on the individual’s personality and character. You should also include why this person is qualified for the position and how they will be able to best contribute.
Offer to Provide More Information
Finally, conclude by endorsing the individual one last time and highlighting their key abilities. This is your last paragraph to convince a prospective employer or institution that this individual is the perfect candidate. Really aim to leave a lasting impression.
Once you’ve left that last impression – end off by offering to provide more information on the candidate if needed.
Provide your contact details, preferably your phone and contact number, but at minimum your email address should suffice, it also looks cleaner.
Finally, provide your regards, your name, and again, your position and name of company or institution. If you are able too, a signature will provide a personalized touch, and increase trustworthiness of the letter of recommendation.
Recommendation Letter Example
John Doe
My Company
123 Street, Earth
J.Doe@example.com
Dear Ms. Stacy,
I am writing this letter of recommendation for Craig Davis, who assisted the company on five projects as a freelance copywriter in 2022, where I am the Director of Marketing of the company.
Craig is an excellent copywriter. Together we worked on several client-facing projects. Craig has assisted our company and our clients with tone of voice, ad-copy, website copy, and copy for social media marketing campaigns.
Not only was I really impressed with his work, but also that he delivered work ahead of schedule.
I found my experiences with Craig to be fun rather than to feel like work. His creativity and ability to exceed expectations make him the ideal copywriter for your organization.
I fully endorse Craigs’s ability to learn very swiftly, execute in a timely manner, and work seamlessly across a wide band of functional areas and people. I would be more than happy to provide more details if you need them. Please feel free to email me at J.Doe@example.com.
Regards,
(Add your handwritten signature here)
John Doe,
Director of Marketing, My Company
Sending Your Letter
In some instances you may be asked to send the letter of recommendation directly to the employer or a tertiary institution. It is best practice to send the letter of recommendation in a PDF format.
