A recommendation letter for a job is often demanded by employers during the hiring process and can play a key role in whether the applicant in question will gain employment. The letter should ideally be written by a supervisor or manager, someone who has had direct contact with the candidate and who has been able to observe their proficiency first hand. A strong letter of recommendation will clearly outline why the individual giving the reference is qualified to do so, it will be customized to the desired new position if possible, and it will provide specific examples as to why the applicant is eligible for employment. Below we’ve provided a guide complete with examples on how to write a strong and effective letter of recommendation.
The individual selected to provide the recommendation should be a well-respected source, one whom the applicant has worked directly under for a significant period of time. Alternatively, a friend, colleague, neighbor, or family member can be used to provide a more personal, character reference; however, offering insight from a professional standpoint is the ideal. It is important that the person selected can provide an honest assessment of the character and work ethic of the individual seeking employment, they should be able to supply specific anecdotes and examples which speak to the employee’s integrity. A recommendation letter should only be written if a great one can be provided, otherwise, it could have an adverse effect and ultimately be detrimental to the applicant’s chances of getting hired.
The main point of this letter is to make the case that the applicant will be successful in the target position. The best person to make this case is usually a current or former supervisor.
How To Write A Letter Of Recommendation (with Example)
There are exceptions: If you are a student or recently have been in school, do not have recent work experience, or do not have relevant work experience, a professor or other personal contact might be a better choice to write the recommendation.
Before writing the letter, the individual providing the recommendation should be given as much information as possible about the position being sought out by the applicant. In this manner, he/she/they can cater the information to highlight attributes which will directly relate to the new job, ensuring the most effective letter possible. If an exact position can’t be pinpointed, the prospective employee should provide the writer with examples of the types of jobs they will be applying for. A resume/curriculum vitae should be given to the writer prior to the composition as it will enable them to see the qualities underlined by the applicant.
A recommendation letter shouldn’t be a 20-page essay, but it must also exceed a paragraph or two. A well-constructed letter will consist of an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion, and it should fit nicely on a single page. Below we’ll go over each paragraph that should be included in a letter of recommendation in order to ensure that each one serves its purpose as effectively as possible.
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The introduction paragraph is used to provide the employer with the name of the individual to whom the writer is giving a recommendation, the nature of the relationship held between the writer and applicant, and the qualifications of the writer. The individual giving the recommendation should post their job title and detail whether or not they’ve worked with the employee in a supervisory position. Below there are two examples of a strong introductory paragraph. Note that above the introductory paragraph is the full name, position, company, and address of the employer.
Mr. Gregory Johnson Office Manager Pendiction Corp. 5th Avenue San Diego, California 92103 Dear Mr. Johnson, It is my pleasure to deliver this letter of recommendation for Daniel Harrison as he strives to fill the position of administrative assistant at your reputable company. As regional manager at Perrier Jordan Inc., and as his direct supervisor, I’ve had the opportunity to observe Daniel’s work ethic on a daily basis as he’s done an exemplary job ensuring the efficiency of the day-to-day operations of our office. His organizational skills, along with his friendly personality and professionalism, make him the ideal candidate for any administrative assistant position.
To whom it may concern, I’m very pleased and privileged to be able to provide this recommendation for Joe, who’s worked as a dental hygienist at my practice for the past 4 years. Joe came to us straight from college and quickly became one of our most valuable team members. His interpersonal skills allow him to communicate effectively with all our patients, whether he’s working with a small child or a senior citizen. It’s been a weight off my shoulders knowing that I can trust Joe to provide a thorough cleaning and an accurate assessment of each individual who sits down in the chair. His firm understanding of dentistry and his strong communication skills set the example in my office on how to help our patients attain optimum dental health. I am confident that he will make a valuable addition to any dental practice he joins.
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In both examples, the writer makes a statement in saying that it is “their pleasure” or that they are “privileged” to provide the recommendation. This type of writing ensures that right-off-the-bat the future employer gets a positive impression of the applicant. Both examples also give a list the applicant’s qualifications while stating the relationship held between the writer and the employee. Both of these intro paragraphs set up the writer to present an argument in the remaining body paragraphs. You’ll also notice that the Example 2 wasn’t directed at a specific employer and instead used “To whom it may concern”; this is the standard letter salutation should an exact employer/position be unidentifiable ahead of time.
The first body paragraph should expand on what was stated in the introduction. A distinct quality/attribute should be focused on, and specific anecdotes/examples should be used to justify the statement. As a general rule, each paragraph should be 4-6 sentences to ensure that the letter as a whole fits onto a single page.
As the floor manager at La Riviera, Candice’s interpersonal skills are put on full display. The ease with which she communicates with the kitchen and servers, and the care and consideration she gives to each customer we serve, enables me to rest easy knowing that my restaurant is providing a premier dining experience each night. The grace she possesses as she handles the enormous amount of stress that accompanies this profession is nothing short of astonishing. I can remember a particular instance in which a young line cook cut his finger, crippling the efficiency of our kitchen staff. Candice was able to entertain our guests, compensate them with free desserts and coffee, and attend to their needs as they awaited their meals. Not one customer complained and she even received a 100% tip from one of the tables who had waited over 45 minutes.
Why Are Reference Letters Important For Getting A Job?
Compassionate and professional, Angela has been an asset to Moncton General Hospital where she has perpetually provided our patients with superlative medical care. She has the innate ability to strike the balance between sympathetic and pragmatic with each individual case, regardless of the length of her shift or the condition of the patient. The examples are too many to number but her 4 years of experience in our PICU has provided her with more than her fair share of opportunities to test her mettle. In one instance, we had an 8-year-old boy with a severe case of pneumonia experiencing respiratory failure. Angela was able to comfort the distressed son’s mother as she explained the necessity of initiating mechanical ventilation to prevent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. She clearly stated the risks and answered all the mother’s questions to ensure she understood that everything would be done to restore her son back to full health.
In the first example, the writer focused on Candice’s interpersonal skills while working the floor at a busy restaurant. They provided a specific example of how she is qualified due to her ability to handle high-stress situations with ease. The same can be said in our second example as the paragraph references an actual patient to underline the nurse’s professionalism.
Like the first body paragraph, the second and third (if applicable) should provide an attribute and direct examples of that quality in a way that highlights the candidate’s potential to succeed in the position they’re applying for. Let’s look at a few more examples.
Reference Letter Staples.pdf
One of the chief reasons I believe Demar to be a strong asset to your team is his ability to adapt to new work environments. A quick study and critical thinker, Demar took only four months to exceed quotas and sell at the same rate as those with years of experience. He clearly has the intrinsic qualities of a salesman as he soon developed the instincts to identify a strong lead and the persistence to properly close. Just three months ago he broke the regional record for the number of sales made by a junior salesman in a week, providing six happy homes with Zypher Air Purifiers (not an easy sell due to the accompanying price tag).
Akilah’s creativity and critical thinking have enabled her to produce some of our advertising agency’s most prolific and
In both examples, the writer makes a statement in saying that it is “their pleasure” or that they are “privileged” to provide the recommendation. This type of writing ensures that right-off-the-bat the future employer gets a positive impression of the applicant. Both examples also give a list the applicant’s qualifications while stating the relationship held between the writer and the employee. Both of these intro paragraphs set up the writer to present an argument in the remaining body paragraphs. You’ll also notice that the Example 2 wasn’t directed at a specific employer and instead used “To whom it may concern”; this is the standard letter salutation should an exact employer/position be unidentifiable ahead of time.
The first body paragraph should expand on what was stated in the introduction. A distinct quality/attribute should be focused on, and specific anecdotes/examples should be used to justify the statement. As a general rule, each paragraph should be 4-6 sentences to ensure that the letter as a whole fits onto a single page.
As the floor manager at La Riviera, Candice’s interpersonal skills are put on full display. The ease with which she communicates with the kitchen and servers, and the care and consideration she gives to each customer we serve, enables me to rest easy knowing that my restaurant is providing a premier dining experience each night. The grace she possesses as she handles the enormous amount of stress that accompanies this profession is nothing short of astonishing. I can remember a particular instance in which a young line cook cut his finger, crippling the efficiency of our kitchen staff. Candice was able to entertain our guests, compensate them with free desserts and coffee, and attend to their needs as they awaited their meals. Not one customer complained and she even received a 100% tip from one of the tables who had waited over 45 minutes.
Why Are Reference Letters Important For Getting A Job?
Compassionate and professional, Angela has been an asset to Moncton General Hospital where she has perpetually provided our patients with superlative medical care. She has the innate ability to strike the balance between sympathetic and pragmatic with each individual case, regardless of the length of her shift or the condition of the patient. The examples are too many to number but her 4 years of experience in our PICU has provided her with more than her fair share of opportunities to test her mettle. In one instance, we had an 8-year-old boy with a severe case of pneumonia experiencing respiratory failure. Angela was able to comfort the distressed son’s mother as she explained the necessity of initiating mechanical ventilation to prevent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. She clearly stated the risks and answered all the mother’s questions to ensure she understood that everything would be done to restore her son back to full health.
In the first example, the writer focused on Candice’s interpersonal skills while working the floor at a busy restaurant. They provided a specific example of how she is qualified due to her ability to handle high-stress situations with ease. The same can be said in our second example as the paragraph references an actual patient to underline the nurse’s professionalism.
Like the first body paragraph, the second and third (if applicable) should provide an attribute and direct examples of that quality in a way that highlights the candidate’s potential to succeed in the position they’re applying for. Let’s look at a few more examples.
Reference Letter Staples.pdf
One of the chief reasons I believe Demar to be a strong asset to your team is his ability to adapt to new work environments. A quick study and critical thinker, Demar took only four months to exceed quotas and sell at the same rate as those with years of experience. He clearly has the intrinsic qualities of a salesman as he soon developed the instincts to identify a strong lead and the persistence to properly close. Just three months ago he broke the regional record for the number of sales made by a junior salesman in a week, providing six happy homes with Zypher Air Purifiers (not an easy sell due to the accompanying price tag).
Akilah’s creativity and critical thinking have enabled her to produce some of our advertising agency’s most prolific and
