You must be really good at your job if someone has asked you to write a recommendation for them. But here you are, googling 'how to write a letter of recommendation,' in search of the ultimate guide or template to help you craft the perfect letter.
All because your favorite coworker emotionally blackmailed talked you into writing one.
Of course, you want to do your best. Especially when you realize that your letter of recommendation might be just the thing that tips the scale in their favor.
But with great power comes great responsibility. And a great amount of stress, am I right? So, why don't you just relax and let us do the explaining.
In this article, you'll find:
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Table of ContentsA letter of recommendation is exactly what it sounds like — a recommendation letter. Its main purpose is to have a professional vouch for the skills, qualifications, character, and expertise of a job applicant in the form of a formal document.
People often mistake letters of recommendation with references. And while both serve to endorse a job candidate, they are quite different.
These are the key differences between a reference and a recommendation:
In other words, if you're listed as a reference on someone resume, you can expect a call or an email from an employer to speak about the person's credentials.
While if you're asked to write a letter of recommendation, you can prepare a letter beforehand, and dive deeper into the person's skills and qualities.
You might be wondering, "When would I actually need to write a letter of recommendation?" Well, it happens more often than you think.
Here are some common scenarios:
At first, you were probably taken aback when you were asked to vouch for your colleague's credentials. But looking at this list, you’re probably more surprised that nobody has asked you to write one before.
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But why do employers still ask for this kind of assessment of their candidates? After all, isn’t their resume enough?
Well, not quite. A recommendation letter offers something a resume can’t: a personal touch. It’s a way for employers to get a deeper look into how well they perform in a real work setting.
Here are reasons why employers might ask for letters of recommendation:
The point is, you need to understand exactly what employers are looking for. How else would you know how to write a letter of recommendation that can actually make a difference?
So, you've been asked to write a letter of recommendation. Congrats! This gesture means that the person asking you for this favor thinks highly of you.
And when the first wave of excitement finally washes over, you’re a bit unsure of where to start. But no worries!
Here’s a detailed, 6-step guide to help you craft a letter of recommendation that’s clear, impactful, and gets the job done:
In the previous chapter, we've shown you all the necessary steps that will lead you to an outstanding letter of recommendation.
And now, it's time to put all the pieces together and look at a specific example.
Dear Mr. Crane,
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Robert for the past three years as his supervisor at KinsCorp.
Robert is an exceptional project manager. He led a team that successfully completed a major project ahead of schedule and under budget. His leadership and problem-solving skills were instrumental in this success.
I remember a time when he stayed late to troubleshoot a major issue that came up unexpectedly. His dedication ensured that our client’s deadline was met, and he even took the time to train the team on the solution.
Robert’s innovative approach to project management significantly improved our team’s overall efficiency. His strategies led to a 20% increase in productivity and enhanced client satisfaction, resulting in several new business opportunities for our company.
Based on my experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Bob for the position of Senior Project Manager. His skills, dedication, and professionalism will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to your team.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact me at c.williams@emial.com or +111 123 456 789.
Best regards,
Claire Williams,
Project Manager at KinsCorp
Knowing how to write a letter of recommendation really isn't rocket science. But we also understand that writing formal letters isn't necessarily everybody's cup of tea. Especially if you're not used to handing recommendation letters left and right.
But don't worry, we're not gonna let you drown!
We've prepared 5 professional letter of recommendation templates to help you do your very best. Find the one that suits you the most, copypaste, and get right to it!
Firstly, let's check out 3 templates you can use to write a recommendation letter to your employee (or even your colleague):
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am writing to recommend [Candidate’s Name] for [the position/role] at [Company/Organization/Institution]. I have had the pleasure of working with [Candidate’s Name] for [number] years at [your company], where [he/she/they] [held a specific role/worked on specific projects].
During [his/her/their] time with us, [Candidate’s Name] consistently demonstrated [mention specific skills/qualities]. One instance that stands out is when [he/she/they] [provide a specific example that showcases the candidate’s strengths and achievements].
[Candidate’s Name] is not only skilled but also a great team player who helped foster a positive and productive work atmosphere. For example, [provide an example if relevant, such as how the candidate supported a team member or contributed to a successful project].
I am confident that [Candidate’s Name] will be an excellent addition to your team. [His/Her/Their] [specific qualities or skills] make [him/her/them] a perfect fit for [the position/role]. I wholeheartedly recommend [Candidate’s Name] and am certain that [he/she/they] will bring the same level of dedication and excellence to your organization.
Please feel free to contact me at [your email] or [your phone number] if you need any further information.
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am delighted to write this letter of recommendation for [Candidate’s Name]. I have known [him/her/them] for [number] years in my capacity as [your job title] at [your company/organization]. During this time, it was impossible to overlook [his/her/their] outstanding skills, dedication, and professionalism.
[Candidate’s Name] has consistently demonstrated exceptional [mention specific skills/qualities]. For instance, [he/she/they] [provide a specific example that illustrates these qualities].
Beyond [his/her/their] technical abilities, [Candidate’s Name] is a wonderful team member. [He/She/They] [mention qualities related to teamwork, work ethic, communication, etc.]. A notable example of this is when [he/she/they] [provide an example of teamwork, collaboration, or support].
Moreover, [Candidate’s Name] is highly respected by peers and supervisors alike for [his/her/their] [mention additional qualities such as integrity, reliability, enthusiasm]. [His/Her/Their] ability to [mention any unique contributions or strengths] has greatly benefited our team and the company.
I am confident that [Candidate’s Name] will be a valuable asset to your organization. I sincerely believe that [his/her/their] [specific qualities or skills] make [him/her/them] ideally suited for [the position/role]. I wholeheartedly recommend [Candidate’s Name] without reservation.
Should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [your email] or [your phone number].
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I’m reaching out to share my recommendation for [Candidate’s Name] for [the position/role] at [Recipient’s Company/Organization]. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with [him/her/them] at [Your Company/Organization] for [number] years, and [he/she/they] have consistently impressed me with [his/her/their] skills and dedication.
[Candidate’s Name] has a knack for [mention a specific skill or quality]. For instance, [he/she/they] [describe a notable example, such as leading a key project, driving innovation, or significantly improving a process]. [His/Her/Their] [mention another relevant skill or trait] really shines through in [his/her/their] work.
In addition to [his/her/their] professional skills, [Candidate’s Name] is also a pleasure to work with. [He/She/They] always brings a positive attitude and a collaborative spirit to the team. [He/She/They] has consistently shown [mention personal qualities like reliability, enthusiasm, or excellent communication skills], which has made a notable impact on our work environment.
I am confident that [Candidate’s Name] will be a great fit for your team and will contribute positively to [Recipient’s Company]. If you have any questions or need more details, don’t hesitate to contact me at [Your Email] or [Your Phone Number].
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
But what if you're in a situation where you've been asked to write a recommendation by one of your students? Well, we thought about that too:
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for [Student’s Name]. I have had the pleasure of teaching [him/her/them] in [course name/subject] at [University/College Name] for [duration]. During this time, [Student’s Name] has never ceased to impress me with [his/her/their] exceptional academic abilities and dedication.
[Student’s Name] has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of [subject area], and [his/her/their] work is always of the highest quality. One particular instance that stands out is [provide a specific example, such as a project, research paper, or class presentation that the student excelled in].
In addition to [his/her/their] academic strengths, [Student’s Name] is also a wonderful human being and a joy to have in class. [He/She/They] [mention qualities related to collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills]. For example, [he/she/they] [provide another example, such as how the student contributed to a group project or helped peers understand complex concepts].
[Student’s Name] is not only academically talented but also highly motivated and passionate about [his/her/their] field of study. [His/Her/Their] ability to [mention any unique contributions or strengths] has greatly benefited our class and the broader academic community.
I am confident that [Student’s Name] will excel in [the program/scholarship at [Organization/Institution Name]. [His/Her/Their] [specific qualities or skills] make [him/her/them] an excellent candidate for this opportunity. I wholeheartedly recommend [Student’s Name] and am certain that [he/she/they] will bring the same level of dedication and excellence to your program.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Professor’s Email] or [Professor’s Phone Number].
[Professor’s Name]
[Professor’s Title]
[Department Name]
[University/College Name]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for [Student’s Name], who is applying for an internship position at [Recipient’s Company/Organization]. As [his/her/their] professor in [Course Name] at [University/College Name], I have had the opportunity to observe [Student’s Name]’s academic growth and personal development over the past [number] semesters.
[Student’s Name] has demonstrated a strong aptitude for [mention relevant skills or subjects]. [He/She/They] consistently excelled in [specific projects, assignments, or coursework], showcasing [his/her/their] ability to grasp complex concepts and apply them effectively. For example, [describe a specific project or achievement, such as a noteworthy research paper, presentation, or assignment].
In addition to [his/her/their] academic abilities, [Student’s Name] has proven to be a diligent and motivated individual. [He/She/They] actively participates in class discussions, seeks feedback, and shows a genuine enthusiasm for learning. [His/Her/Their] positive attitude and strong work ethic have made a notable impression on both [his/her/their] peers and faculty.
Although [Student’s Name] is seeking [his/her/their] first internship, [he/she/they] already possesses many qualities that will contribute to [his/her/their] success in a professional setting. [He/She/They] is a quick learner, adaptable, and eager to gain hands-on experience in [relevant field or industry]. [His/Her/Their] strong analytical skills and collaborative approach make [him/her/them] an excellent candidate for an internship opportunity.
I am confident that [Student’s Name] will make a valuable contribution to your team and benefit greatly from the experience at [Recipient’s Company/Organization]. Please feel free to contact me at [Professor’s Email] or [Professor’s Phone Number] if you have any questions or need further information.
Thank you for considering [Student’s Name] for this opportunity.
[Professor’s Name]
[Professor’s Title]
[Department Name]
[University/College Name]
Alternatively, you may find yourself on the other side of the recommendation request — be the one asking for the letter.
Maybe it’s for a job, an internship, or grad school. Either way, asking for a letter of recommendation can feel a bit awkward.
But if you follow these tips, you can make the whole process stress-free:
And remember, most people are happy to help — you just need to ask politely! If you don't know where to start, you can draw inspiration from our templates.
In case you want to persuade your colleague or a supervisor to be your recommender, you can formulate your request like so:
Hi [Colleague’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to ask if you could do me a favor and write a letter of recommendation for me. I’m applying for [mention the purpose, e.g., a job, an internship, graduate school], and I think your perspective would be really helpful.
Working with you over the past [time period] has been a great experience, and I’ve learned so much. Now, I’m looking to [briefly explain why you are applying], and a recommendation from you would really boost my application.
If you could mention [specific skills, achievements, or experiences you want to be emphasized], that would be awesome. I’ve attached my resume and a draft of my cover letter to give you more info.
The deadline for the recommendation is [mention the deadline], but if you need more time or any other details, just let me know.
Thanks so much for considering this. I really appreciate your help and support.
Dear [Supervisor’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to seek your help with a letter of recommendation. I am currently applying for [a new job, an advanced degree program, an internship], and I believe your endorsement would make my application shine.
Over the past [time period], I have greatly valued your leadership and the opportunities I’ve had to contribute to our team at [Company Name]. Your insight into my work ethic and achievements would provide a fair evaluation that I feel would increase my chances at landing this opportunity.
Specifically, I would appreciate it if you could highlight [mention specific skills, achievements, or experiences you want to be emphasized]. I have attached my resume and a draft of my cover letter for your reference.
The deadline for the submission of the letter is [mention the deadline]. If you need any additional information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you very much for considering my request. I am grateful for your support and assistance.
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
Or, maybe you're a student in dire need of a great recommendation from your professor so you can strengthen your internship/scholarship/doctoral program/first job application.
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope my email finds you well. I am reaching out to ask if you could write a letter of recommendation for me. I am applying for [mention the purpose], and I think your insights into my work and character would be incredibly helpful.
I have really enjoyed and learned a lot from your [class/course/lab], and to say that your guidance has been invaluable to me would be an understatement. I believe your perspective on my efforts there would really strengthen my application.
It would be fantastic if you could mention [specific skills, achievements, or qualities you want to emphasize]. I have attached my resume and a draft of my personal statement to give you more context.
The deadline for the recommendation letter is [mention the deadline]. If you need any more information or if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Thank you so much for considering this. Your support means a lot to me.
[Your Name]
[Your Major/Program]
In conclusion, a letter of recommendation is an excellent way to strengthen any job or internship application.
Having a fellow professional or supervisor vouching for a job candidate’s credentials is a powerful endorsement. Because it provides a layer of credibility and personal insight that a resume alone simply can’t offer.
When you get contacted by your colleague or team member with request for recommendation, following these 6 steps will help you craft a compelling letter:
Not the letter you wanted? No worries! If this isn't quite what you were looking for, you might want to check out guides on writing a cover letter or, you know, a resignation letter instead.
