Letter of recommendation – Tutorial
Recommendation letters are generally used by people in the workforce who are applying for jobs. At some point in your life, you may need to write a recommendation letter. Before You Write: Writing a recommendation letter for another person is quite a responsibility and should be taken seriously. Before you agree, make sure you have a clear understanding of what the letter will be used for and who will be reading it. You should also make sure that you know what kind of information is being expected from you. What to Include: Every recommendation letter should include at least three key components:
1) A paragraph or sentence that explains how you know this person and the duration of your relationship with them.
2) An evaluation of the person and their skills / accomplishments. Offer specific examples, when possible, that convey an clear picture of the person’s strengths and qualifications.
3) Summarize why you would recommend this person and to what degree you would recommend them.
Other Things that can be added:
The total content of your recommendation letter will depend upon the needs of the person who is requesting it, but there are some common topics that you can address:
Potential
Skills / Abilities / Strengths
Dependability
Consistence
Character
Contributions (to special projects or the organization in general)
Accomplishments
Letters of recommendation may be written in a classic format that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. In most cases, any well-organized format will be acceptable. Look at the following sample format:
Use your company letterhead for the recommendation.
Date:
Introduction:
Introduce yourself as the recommender. State your professional position, how you know the applicant, the length of your relationship, and any other pertinent information to build your credibility as a knowledgeable contributor.
Provide an overview of your general impressions of the applicant:
In the body of the letter:
Cover one exceptional quality of the applicant in each paragraph. Use specific examples to show how you observed each quality. Address each quality in order of importance Keep the body of the letter to two or three paragraphs
Conclusion:
Confirm that the applicant would be a desirable employee, adding any other comments you feel appropriate.
Encourage the reader to contact you for additional information or with any questions.
Don't forget to personally sign the letter.
Sincerely