How to Write a Recommendation Letter
Need to write or request a recommendation letter? Here are examples of different types of letter of recommendations, including letters for employment, academic letters of recommendation, and character / personal reference letters, with writing tips and advice.
- How to write a letter of recommendation
If you’re asked to provide a reference for a specific job, the most effective letter of recommendation will be one that is written with the requirements of that particular job in mind. When you’re asked to write a general recommendation letter, you can still focus on the types or category of jobs for which the person is applying.
First thing you have to do is to collect information. Ask the person for whom you are writing to supply you with a copy of the job posting and their resume (what is a resume?) or curriculum vitae (how to write a CV?) before you begin composing your letter. It can also be helpful to review their cover letter to see how they pitch their qualifications for the job.
When you are writing a more general recommendation, you should still ask the subject of your letter to outline their targets for employment. Ask them for an example or two of jobs they are applying for. Also ask them to share their most marketable assets for that type of work, especially ones you may have observed in your relationship with the person you are recommending.
What do I have to include in a Recommendation Letter? The first paragraph of your letter should explain how you know the person for whom you are writing. Reference your job title and their job title when you interacted, as well as the nature of your relationship, including whether you supervised the individual. Typically, you would also include the length of time you have known the person.
What do I have to include in the Body of the Letter? The body of your letter should reference the skills, qualities, areas of knowledge and other assets of the person you are recommending. Start by making a list of the strengths which you would like to convey in your recommendation. Then compose sentences which include references to any proof which will make your assertions about those assets more credible. Provide specific examples of instances where you observed the candidate using skills they are highlighting to the hiring manager. This might consist of a project or role where they successfully applied a certain skill. Citing accomplishments where value was added to your organization and describing the strengths which enabled the person to generate those results can be particularly compelling.
How to Close the Letter. In your closing statement, it can be very effective to mention that you would hire the person again. A positive statement about your belief that the person would be an outstanding addition to their staff can also be incorporated into your closing.
- How to write an Academic Recommendation Letter
Some tips to write an Academic Recommendation Letter:
1.-Focus on the particular school. If the recommendation is for a college or graduate school, ask the student for information on the school or program. Try to focus on the student’s skills that relate to their ability to succeed at that school. If the letter is for a teacher, ask for a description of the job. Even if it is a more general letter, ask the person about the types of schools and/or jobs they are applying for.
2.-Collect information. Ask the person for whom you’re writing the letter for a copy of his or her resume or CV, so that you can speak to the person’s experience. If it is for a student, you might also ask for a list of the person’s relevant coursework.
3.-Explain how you know the person. In the introduction, briefly explain how you know the person. If the letter is for a former student, explain how many courses the student took with you, and/or if you worked with them in any other capacity (as your teaching assistant, an advisee, etc.)
4.-Include specific examples. In the letter, provide specific examples of ways in which the person has demonstrated various skills and qualities. Try to think of examples from when the person was in your class, or (if the person is a teacher) when the person worked for you.
5.-Remain positive. State that you think this person is a strong candidate for the job or the school. You might say something like you “recommend this person without reservation.” Emphasize this especially at the beginning and end of the letter. After all, you want to help this candidate stand out.
6.-Share your contact information. Provide a way for the school or the employer to contact you if they have further questions. Include your email address, telephone number, or both at the end of the letter.
7.-Follow the submission guidelines. Ask the person for whom you are writing how to submit the letter. Make sure you follow any requirements, especially about where to send it and when, as well as the format (for example, PDF, physical letter, etc.)
8.-Think carefully about saying yes. Make sure you only agree to write the letter if you can write a positive recommendation. If you don’t think you can, tell the person you are not comfortable writing the recommendation.
2.-Collect information. Ask the person for whom you’re writing the letter for a copy of his or her resume or CV, so that you can speak to the person’s experience. If it is for a student, you might also ask for a list of the person’s relevant coursework.
3.-Explain how you know the person. In the introduction, briefly explain how you know the person. If the letter is for a former student, explain how many courses the student took with you, and/or if you worked with them in any other capacity (as your teaching assistant, an advisee, etc.)
4.-Include specific examples. In the letter, provide specific examples of ways in which the person has demonstrated various skills and qualities. Try to think of examples from when the person was in your class, or (if the person is a teacher) when the person worked for you.
5.-Remain positive. State that you think this person is a strong candidate for the job or the school. You might say something like you “recommend this person without reservation.” Emphasize this especially at the beginning and end of the letter. After all, you want to help this candidate stand out.
6.-Share your contact information. Provide a way for the school or the employer to contact you if they have further questions. Include your email address, telephone number, or both at the end of the letter.
7.-Follow the submission guidelines. Ask the person for whom you are writing how to submit the letter. Make sure you follow any requirements, especially about where to send it and when, as well as the format (for example, PDF, physical letter, etc.)
8.-Think carefully about saying yes. Make sure you only agree to write the letter if you can write a positive recommendation. If you don’t think you can, tell the person you are not comfortable writing the recommendation.
How to Use Recommendation Letter Examples? It is a good idea to review letter of recommendation samples (here you can find some examples) before writing your letter. Along with helping with your layout, examples can help you see what kind of content you should include in your document.
While examples, templates, and guidelines are a great starting point to your letter, you should always be flexible. You should tailor a letter example to fit the candidate’s work history, and the job or school to which he or she is applying.
- How to write a Student Recommendation Letter
How to Use Letter Examples and Templates? It is a good idea to review letter examples and templates before writing a recommendation letter or a request for a letter. They can help you decide what kind of content you should include in your document.
A letter template helps you with the layout of your letter, such as how many paragraphs to include, and how to sign off on the letter. Templates also show you what elements you need to include in your letter, such as your contact information.
While examples, templates, and guidelines are a great starting point to your letter, you should always be flexible. You should tailor a letter to fit the particular person you are writing the letter for, and the information he or she asks you to include.
How to Request Reference Letter Samples? When you request a letter of reference, make sure to remind potential letter writers how they know you, and information on why you need the letter. These details will help make it easier for them to write a personal and targeted reference letter.
You should also provide all the information the person needs for how to submit the letter, what to include (if there are any requirements), and when it is due.
Finally, if the person agrees to write you a letter, remember to follow up with a thank you letter (how to write it?).
Email Message Asking a Professor for a Recommendation (how to write it?)
Letter Sample Asking for a Reference (how to write it?)
Letter Requesting Permission to Use a Reference (how to write it?)
Finally, focus on the specific job or school that the person is applying for. Try to include qualities and examples that will help them get that position or get into that school. Also, feel free to ask the person for whom you’re writing the letter for more information. You might ask to see the job listing, their resume, or a list of their related coursework.
- How to write a Personal Recommendation Letter
Personal recommendations and character reference letters can be written by teachers, neighbors, business acquaintances, clients, vendors, and other recommenders who can attest to an applicant's skills and abilities.
Recommendation letters should be tailored to both the person being recommended and to the position or responsibilities involved. For help writing a meaningful letter, review sample personal recommendation letters for a variety of situations.
Here you have some tips to write a Personal Recommendation Letter:
1.-Follow business letter format. Use the official business letter format when writing your letter. If time is of the essence, you might consider sending a recommendation email instead of a letter.
Personal recommendations and character reference letters can be written by teachers, neighbors, business acquaintances, clients, vendors, and other recommenders who can attest to an applicant's skills and abilities.
Recommendation letters should be tailored to both the person being recommended and to the position or responsibilities involved. For help writing a meaningful letter, review sample personal recommendation letters for a variety of situations.
Here you have some tips to write a Personal Recommendation Letter:
1.-Follow business letter format. Use the official business letter format when writing your letter. If time is of the essence, you might consider sending a recommendation email instead of a letter.
- 2.-Focus on the job description. Ask the person for whom you’re writing the letter for a copy of the job description. This way, you can focus on the requirements of the position. Try to include language from the job description in your letter. Even if you are writing a more general recommendation, you can still ask the person about the types of jobs they will be applying for.
- 3.-Explain how you know the person, and how long. Begin your letter with this basic information. If you have known the person for a long time, be sure to emphasize this.
- 4.-Focus on one or two traits. In the body of your letter, focus on one or two qualities in this person that make him or her a good fit for the job. Provide specific examples of ways in which the person demonstrated various traits in the past.
- 5.-Remain positive. State that you think this person is a strong candidate. You might say something like “I recommend this person without reservation.” You want to help this candidate stand out.
- 6.-Share your contact information. Provide a way for the employer to contact you if they have further questions. Include your email address, telephone number, or both at the end of the letter.
- 7.-Follow the submission guidelines. Ask the person for whom you’re writing the letter how to submit the letter. Make sure you follow any requirements, especially about where to send it and when, as well as the format (for example, PDF, physical letter, etc.)
- 8.-Think carefully before saying yes. Only say you will write the recommendation if you can recommend the person without reservation.
- 7.-Follow the submission guidelines. Ask the person for whom you’re writing the letter how to submit the letter. Make sure you follow any requirements, especially about where to send it and when, as well as the format (for example, PDF, physical letter, etc.)
- 8.-Think carefully before saying yes. Only say you will write the recommendation if you can recommend the person without reservation.
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