During the hiring process, employers frequently request recommendation letters, which can be crucial in determining whether the applicant in question will be hired. The recommendation is that the letter be written by a manager or supervisor who has worked closely with the applicant and has personally witnessed their level of proficiency. If at all possible, a strong letter of recommendation will be tailored to the desired new position and include specific examples to demonstrate the applicant’s suitability for employment. It will also clearly state why the person providing the reference is qualified to do so. We’ve included a how-to manual with examples for writing a solid and persuasive letter of recommendation below.
The person chosen to write the recommendation ought to be a reputable source who the applicant has worked closely with for a sizable amount of time. A more personal character reference can also be given by a friend, coworker, neighbor, or member of the family, but providing information from a professional standpoint is preferred. The person chosen must be able to give a candid assessment of the applicant’s moral character and work ethic, and they must be able to provide concrete examples and anecdotes that attest to the applicant’s honesty. Only write a recommendation letter if you can give a strong one; otherwise, it might have a negative impact and ultimately hurt your chances of getting hired.
- Speak to the candidate before you write. …
- Format your letter. …
- Introduce yourself and your position. …
- Customize for the role. …
- Provide specific examples. …
- Mention an accomplishment. …
- Offer to continue the conversation. …
- Proofread and submit.
How to recommend someone for a job
There are specific guidelines you can adhere to if a former pupil, coworker, or even just a close friend asks you for a letter of recommendation in order to make the letter stand out while making your job easier. Use these steps to help you write a recommendation letter:
1. Speak to the candidate before you write
Before you write a recommendation letter, it’s beneficial to set aside some time to speak with the person you’re recommending. You can ask for information by email, phone, or in person meetings. Request information from the applicant regarding the position and their qualifications. If you want to learn more about their background and qualifications, you can also ask for a copy of their resume.
2. Format your letter
Recommendation letters are formal written documents. Whenever possible, if your institution or company provides one, use that. Try to use a formal tone of voice and adhere to the appropriate formal letter formats, which include:
3. Introduce yourself and your position
Begin your letter with a brief introduction. Mention your position, how you are related to the applicant, and how long you have known them. It can make your recommendation stand out to the recipient by briefly outlining your qualifications.
4. Customize for the role
Try to customize each letter of recommendation for the particular position by including the name of the company and the position title. You can create a template letter and modify this section for each recommendation if you are writing multiple recommendations, such as for a student applying to multiple internships.
5. Provide specific examples
When describing the character of a candidate, make an effort to provide two to three concrete examples to back up your assertions. You could, for instance, cite a time the candidate oversaw a project when describing them as a great leader.
6. Mention an accomplishment
Describe a candidate’s specific accomplishments, if applicable, to demonstrate their qualifications. Consider successes such as an award, promotion or publication.
7. Offer to continue the conversation
Offer to talk further about the applicant and their qualifications as a way to close the letter. Give the employer your email or phone number so they can get in touch with you if they want to.
8. Proofread and submit
Try to give yourself some time to thoroughly proofread the document. If you sent more than one letter, be sure to include the right company name and position title.
To submit, confirm the requirements with the applicant and the job description. Some positions use a submission website to handle recommendations. If so, you can prepare your letter separately and submit it via the server. If a business asks you to send the recommendation via email, attach your letter.
What is a recommendation letter?
A letter of recommendation is a document providing written evidence of a job applicant’s moral character or work ethic. It contains examples or stories that highlight a candidates skills. You can write a recommendation letter for multiple situations, including:
Example recommendation letters
Referencing sample letters when endorsing someone for employment can be useful. Here are four sample letters for different recommendation situations:
Recommendation letter for a colleague
You could use the following letter as an example when suggesting a colleague for a new position:
Karina Elroy
123 Main St.
Atlanta, Georgia, 30301
December 5, 2020
Kirsten Bridges
Hiring Manager
CreativeUnited
444 Elm Road
Atlanta, Georgia, 30301
Dear Ms. Bridges,
Norman Mullins is my choice to be CreativeUnited’s senior graphic designer, and I am pleased to make this recommendation. I have been working with Norman at Daffodil Design as a marketing manager for the past four years. As a member of his team, I have witnessed Norman’s exemplary work ethic and artistic abilities. He would be a perfect fit for the senior graphic designer position, in my opinion.
Norman is one of the most determined professionals Ive met. He consistently delivered projects ahead of schedule and with high levels of client satisfaction. He continually looks for ways to improve his work by soliciting criticism from his coworkers and clients. He pushes himself to develop, which has made him the talented designer that he is today.
Norman is a very talented designer, as you can see from his portfolio. His designs are beautiful, user-friendly and memorable. Out of more than 1,000 regional designers, one of his logos took home the Best Design of the Year Award the previous year. That logo was a component of a design project that Norman oversaw. He redrew all the graphics for our client, generating an extra $60,000 in revenue in a single year.
While I will miss him on our team, I am confident that he will succeed in the position of senior graphic designer at CreativeUnited. You can reach me at 108-435-2426 or K if you have any more inquiries or would like to learn more about Norman. Elroy@email. com.
Sincerely,
Karina Elroy
Recommendation letter for a personal connection
There may be times when you must suggest a personal acquaintance for a position, such as a fellow organization member or a close neighbor. Here is an example you can use to help you:
Garrett Chavez Senior Volunteer CoordinatorBoston Animal Shelter333 Broadway St. *Boston, Massachusets, 02101.
January 19, 2021
*Alicia Mitchell
Director of Sales*
InterTech
987 Main Road
Boston, Massachusets, 02101
Dear Ms. Mitchell,
Taylor Osborne is deserving of being recommended for the position of associate sales member at InterTech. As the local animal shelter’s volunteer coordinator for the past 15 years, I’ve worked with a lot of motivated young people. One of the most considerate volunteers I’ve ever encountered is Taylor. She has consistently impressed me throughout the eight years I’ve known them with her excellent communication skills and attention to detail. She could bring these abilities to InterTech and do well in the position of associate sales member, in my opinion.
Taylor is a pleasure to work with because of her outgoing and friendly personality. She communicates clearly and professionally and understands different personalities well. Every weekend, Taylor would pair families with the ideal pet. She explains each step of the adoption process and consistently receives high marks from customers in surveys of their satisfaction. As soon as Taylor mentioned the sales position, I knew she would be a great fit.
Taylor is a very meticulous volunteer who pays close attention to detail. She oversaw our volunteer calendar and organized a number of our public events. She brought care and organization into every project she started. Her accomplishments last year helped her win our Volunteer of the Year Award.
I have no doubt that Taylor will bring her strong communication skills and work ethic to the associate sales position once she graduates from college and starts her career. Please reach out if you have any further questions. You can contact me at 123-644-3343 or Garrettchavez@email. com.
Sincerely,
Garrett Chavez
Recommendation letter for a promotion
Some companies require recommendation letters for promotions. You can use this letter to support one of your suggestions for a current employee to be considered for employment in your company:
Morgan Thad
Team Lead
Engineering Division
8ABC GlobalProjects
February 3, 2021
Brendan Shah
Human Resources Director
ABC GlobalProjects
Dear Mr. Shah,
I fully support Dylan Ilmi’s bid for the project manager position after working with him in the engineering department for the past five years. I have overseen Dylan’s development as his team leader, from his initial internship with us to his present position as a developmental engineer. His dedication, leadership qualities, and capacity for problem-solving make him the perfect candidate for the project manager position.
Dylan analyzes complex issues for our group by creating new software and routinely testing it. He improved our internal software security, decreasing threats by 30% in one year He started working on our client’s external software systems last year. He created a new software system in just eight months that brought in more than $200,000 for a client.
Dylan is qualified for a leadership position in addition to having excellent technical engineering skills. He has developed over the past five years into a valuable resource for his coworkers. When he can, he assists them by responding to their inquiries and educating new team members. He is very committed to our business and works hard to make sure each project is successful. Even though we will miss him in our department, I know he is prepared for more responsibilities because he has won our team’s Employee of the Month award nine times.
Dylan’s campaign for the position of project manager has my full support. You can contact me at 247-338-4467 or mthad@abcglobalprojectsemail if you have any additional questions. com.
Sincerely,
Morgan Thad
Recommendation letter for a student
If you assist students, they might ask you to draft a letter of recommendation for a scholarship, admission to school, an internship, or an entry-level position. You can use this sample as a reference:
Cathy Gardner
Professor of History
Austin College
123 6th St.
Austin, Texas, 73301
February 11th, 2021
Jason Jennings
Director of Summer Program
Historical CitySites
88 Pine Road
Carlsbad, California, 92008
Dear Mr. Jennings,
It gives me great pleasure to endorse Robert Petra for the Historical CitySites summer internship. Over the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of instructing Robert in four different courses. Additionally, he assisted me as a teacher and tutor for my American Studies 101 course. Since I’ve been a teacher for more than 16 years, I can say with certainty that Robert is one of the most devoted and enthusiastic learners I’ve ever encountered. I am confident that he would contribute excellent historical knowledge, an upbeat disposition, and tenacity to the internship at Historical CitySites.
Robert was the class top student in his first course with me. His research paper showed a nuanced understanding of historical concepts. In class discussions, Robert was a dynamic leader who addressed his classmates with clarity, fervor, and respect. To make sure he understood everything, he attended office hours and asked thoughtful questions.
He puts in a lot of effort in his studies and completes any extra credit tasks that are offered. He brings careful attention to all of his research. Robert’s first article, “The History of Austin,” appeared in The History World Journal last month, which is a remarkable accomplishment. It was the first time in my entire career that an undergraduate student of mine had a publication in a journal of this caliber.
Considering Robert’s depth of understanding and enthusiasm for history, I have no doubt he would excel in your summer program. I fully recommend him for the internship at Historical CitySites. I would be delighted to go into more detail about Robert and his credentials. You can reach me at 333-353-2323 or C. Gardner@austinemail. com.
Sincerely,
Cathy Gardner
SAMPLE RECOMMENDATION LETTER FOR EMPLOYEE FROM EMPLOYER
FAQ
What do you say when recommending someone for a job examples?
It gives me the utmost pleasure to recommend [Name] for [position] with [Company], dear [First and Last Name]. [Name] and I [relationship] at [Company] for [length of time]. I had a great time working with [Name] and learned that [he/she/they] was a genuinely valuable member of our team.
What should I say in a good recommendation?
A recommendation letter should always be sincere and honest. Never inflate a candidate’s experience or divulge any information you don’t know to be accurate. Be truthful about everything, including how long you’ve known the person and in what capacity, as well as your assessments of their abilities.
