Highlight standout qualities using our Letter of Recommendation template.
Updated April 10, 2024
Written by Raina Chou | Reviewed by Brooke Davis
A Letter of Recommendation is a document that endorses an individual’s professional or academic capabilities, providing a personal testament to their skills, achievements, and character to potential employers or institutions.
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Support a teacher's application for a new role and emphasize their exceptional qualities, skills, and accomplishments in education.
Bolster an intern's application by detailing their relevant skills and aligning their career goals with the internship's objectives.
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Endorse a student by detailing their distinctive talents, dedication, and suitability for a specific opportunity.
Support a graduate school application by emphasizing the applicant's achievements, dedication, and suitability for rigorous academic pursuits.
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A letter of recommendation is a document where a writer endorses a candidate’s skills, achievements, and character. Typically, the writer is someone who has closely observed the candidate’s achievements and can provide a detailed and positive account of their capabilities and potential.
These letters are often required when applying for jobs, college admissions, scholarships, internships, or other academic programs. A well-crafted letter can offer insights into the candidate’s personality and work ethic — information an admissions officer or potential employers cannot evaluate through resumes or transcripts alone.
A recommendation letter specifically endorses your skills for a particular role or opportunity. Reference letters, however, offer a broad overview of your character and general capabilities, serving as a character validation rather than a targeted endorsement.
The author of the letter should be a professional or academic who has worked closely with the candidate and is familiar with the candidate’s accomplishments, work habits, and character traits. This could be your former or current supervisor, professor, mentor, or coach.
Use these criteria to identify an ideal recommender:
It’s essential to deliver your request thoughtfully and respectfully to ensure a positive outcome. Here are actionable steps to guide you:
Subject: Request for a Letter of Recommendation for [purpose]
I hope this message finds you well.
I am reaching out to request a letter of recommendation for [purpose]. Given our positive collaboration on [project/task], I believe you could provide valuable insights into my skills and contributions.
I’ve attached my resume and details about the [job/program] for your reference. Thank you for considering my request.
Subject: Sincere Appreciation for Your Recommendation Letter
Dear [Recommender’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well.
I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf.
Your endorsement has undoubtedly strengthened my application, and I am optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Thank you once again for your generosity and belief in my potential. I will keep you updated on my progress and look forward to sharing future successes with you.
A strong letter usually includes:
The introduction of a recommendation letter should include:
Here’s the introduction of a recommendation letter example for graduate school application:
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Jane Doe, who is applying for the Master’s program in Environmental Science at your esteemed university. As the Senior Project Manager at XYZ Corporation and Jane’s supervisor for the past three years, I have witnessed her professional growth, dedication, and passion for sustainable development. Her outstanding research skills and commitment to environmental conservation make her an exemplary candidate for your program.
In the body paragraphs, provide a concise yet detailed assessment of the candidate’s most relevant skills, achievements, and character. The letter should focus on the qualities that best align with the opportunity in question and include specific examples to highlight their suitability.
Additionally, sharing a personal anecdote where the candidate demonstrated exceptional abilities or character can significantly enhance the letter’s impact. These stories provide tangible evidence of the candidate’s qualities and differentiate them from other applicants.
Remember, while templates can provide a starting point, the writer should personalize the letter to reflect their genuine assessment and relationship with the candidate.
An example of body paragraphs from a professional recommendation letter is as below:
Linda Thompson, as our Director of Product Development at TechSolutions Inc., has significantly impacted our market share and product innovation, leading to a 30% rise in sales revenue for our flagship products.
A standout moment under Linda’s leadership was our best-selling software suite’s on-time launch amidst technical challenges and tight deadlines. Her direct involvement led to a breakthrough in problem-solving, resulting in the software not only meeting but surpassing our quality benchmarks. This project directly contributed to a 40% increase in sales within the first quarter post-launch.
Yes. Providing falsified information in a recommendation letter can lead to serious consequences, including legal action for fraud or defamation, especially if the misinformation results in financial loss or damages to others.
The closing statement of the recommendation letter should include:
Below is a recommendation sample of the closing statement from a landlord reference letter:
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend David Thompson as a tenant. Throughout his tenancy, David has consistently demonstrated responsibility, respect for property, and timely payment of rent. His care for the apartment and how he has maintained it in impeccable condition is commendable. I have no doubt that David will be an exemplary tenant for any landlord fortunate enough to have him. Should you have any further questions or wish to discuss David’s tenancy in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Instead of just saying someone is good at what they do, provide concrete evidence and comparisons. Quantify their achievements if possible.
Adam’s leadership significantly contributed to a 25% increase in team productivity and a 50% reduction in project turnaround times, setting a new benchmark for operational efficiency within our department.
Adam continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership skills.
Tailor the letter by highlighting the qualities and achievements of the candidate most relevant to the position or role they are applying for. This shows that the writer understands the role and that the candidate has the specific skills and accomplishments to excel in that role.
For example, if you are recommending Emma for a graphic design position:
Emma’s innovative design work not only met tight deadlines but also played a pivotal role in boosting client engagement by 30%, highlighting her exceptional creativity and efficiency.
Emma continues to demonstrate great teamwork skills.
If the candidate is applying for a job, the writer can refer to the job title and description to address the position’s requirements in the recommendation letter.
Aim to condense your insights and endorsements into one page. This approach respects the reader’s time while ensuring your message is clear and impactful. Focus on the candidate’s most impressive achievement.
John’s leadership in redesigning our workflow directly resulted in a 40% increase in operational efficiency, showcasing his exceptional problem-solving skills.
John has been an invaluable member of our team for over five years, during which he has worked on numerous projects, including A, B, and C. He has also contributed in D, E, and F…
Offer an objective view of the candidate’s abilities by focusing on direct observations rather than inferences or potentially biased descriptions.
Instead of relying on generic or subjective adjectives that may inadvertently reflect gender or racial biases, emphasize specific and observable achievements.
Anna showcases her warmth and caring nature by volunteering to tutor underprivileged children at the local community center, providing both educational support and compassionate mentorship.
Anna is a warm, compassionate, and dedicated student, known for her hard-working nature.
Copy the free sample or download a customizable letter of recommendation template below.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Dear ________________________ [Recipient’s Name],
My name is ________________________ [Referrer’s Name], and I’m writing to support ___________________ [Applicant’s Name] for their application for ___________________ [Position Applied]. Having been ___________________ [Applicant’s Name]’s ___________________ [Relation to Applicant] at ___________________ [Name of Entity] for ___________________ [Length of Time], I have witnessed firsthand their commitment, growth, and exceptional achievements.
A standout moment under ___________________ [Applicant’s Name]’s ___________________ [Personal Trait] was their involvement in _________________________________________________ [Applicant’s Achievement]. As a result of their commendable effort, _________________________________________________ [Result of Achievement]. ___________________ [Applicant’s Name] further showcased their ___________________ [Personal Trait] by playing a pivotal role in __________________________________________________________ [Applicant’s Achievement]. Thanks to them, _________________________________________________ [Result of Achievement]. Additionally, ________________________ [Applicant’s Name] made a significant contribution to _________________________________________________ [Applicant’s Achievement]. Because of ___________________ [Applicant’s Name], ________________________________________________________ [Result of Achievement]. ________________________ [Applicant Name]’s accomplishments have not only underscored their ability to excel in a collective environment but also demonstrated their potential to thrive in dynamic situations.
I wholeheartedly endorse ________________________ [Applicant Name]’s application for ___________________ [Position Applied]. Throughout my interactions with _______________________ [Applicant’s Name], I have consistently witnessed their profound dedication and positive influence on those around them. I am confident that ________________________ [Applicant’s Name] will prove to be an invaluable asset in the new environment they become a part of.
hould you have any further questions or wish to discuss ________________________ [Applicant Name]’s application in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.
____________________________________ [Referrer’s Signature]
________________________ [Referrer’s Name]
________________________ [Referrer’s Title]
________________________ [Referrer’s Entity]
________________________ [Referrer’s Phone Number]
________________________ [Referrer’s Email]
