Writing a recommendation letter for a friend can feel daunting, especially if you’re unsure where to start. This article provides sixteen sample letters, covering different situations and focusing on various skills. Whether your friend is seeking a job, internship, or academic opportunity, these examples will guide you in crafting a strong and effective recommendation. Remember to tailor each letter to the specific opportunity and highlight your friend’s relevant qualifications and character traits.
When writing your recommendation, consider the following: First, clearly state your relationship with the person. Second, highlight specific achievements and skills that are relevant to the opportunity. Third, provide concrete examples to illustrate their abilities. Fourth, emphasize positive qualities like work ethic, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Finally, ensure the letter is well-written, error-free, and conveys your genuine enthusiasm for your friend’s candidacy. The samples below provide diverse approaches and language to help you create a personalized and impactful letter.
Recommendation Letter Samples:
Here are 16 sample letters for recommending a friend, ready to be used as inspiration.
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Sample Letter 1: General Job Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Friend’s Name] for [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I have known [Friend’s Name] for [Number] years as a [Relationship, e.g., college classmate, neighbor, colleague at a previous company]. During that time, I have been consistently impressed by [his/her/their] dedication, work ethic, and ability to learn quickly.
In particular, [Friend’s Name] demonstrated [Specific skill 1] and [Specific skill 2] while [briefly describe the situation where they demonstrated these skills]. [He/She/They] is also a highly effective communicator and a valuable team player. I am confident that [Friend’s Name] would be a significant asset to your organization. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 2: Recommendation for Internship
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Internship Coordinator Name]
[Organization Name]
[Organization Address]Dear [Internship Coordinator Name],
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for the [Internship Name] internship at [Organization Name]. As [Friend’s Name]’s friend for the past [Number] years, I have seen firsthand [his/her/their] passion for [Relevant field] and [his/her/their] commitment to personal and professional growth. [He/She/They] possesses a strong foundation in [Relevant skill 1] and [Relevant skill 2] and is eager to learn more through practical experience. I believe [he/she/they] would be a valuable asset to your team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 3: Academic Recommendation (College Application)
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
Admissions Committee
[University Name]
[University Address]Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for admission to [University Name]. As a close friend for the past [Number] years, I have witnessed [his/her/their] intellectual curiosity and dedication to academic pursuits. [He/She/They] consistently strives for excellence and possesses a natural aptitude for [Subject area]. [He/She/They] also demonstrates a strong commitment to community involvement through [mention specific activity]. I am confident that [Friend’s Name] will thrive in your rigorous academic environment and contribute positively to the university community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 4: Scholarship Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
Scholarship Committee
[Scholarship Name]
[Organization Name]Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Friend’s Name] for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship. I have known [Friend’s Name] for [Number] years as a [Relationship]. I have been consistently impressed by [his/her/their] dedication to [field of study/interest] and [his/her/their] strong character. [He/She/They] consistently demonstrates [Quality 1, e.g., leadership] and [Quality 2, e.g., resilience], making [him/her/them] a strong candidate for this scholarship. [He/She/They] embodies the values this scholarship seeks to promote.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 5: Character Reference
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to provide a character reference for [Friend’s Name]. I have known [Friend’s Name] for [Number] years. During this time, I have always found [him/her/them] to be [Positive Quality 1, e.g., honest], [Positive Quality 2, e.g., reliable], and [Positive Quality 3, e.g., compassionate]. [He/She/They] is a person of strong moral character and integrity. I highly recommend [him/her/them] without reservation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 6: Leadership Skills
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name], highlighting their exceptional leadership abilities. As their friend for [Number] years, I’ve witnessed firsthand their capacity to inspire and guide others. Specifically, during [shared experience], [Friend’s Name] took initiative by [describe action], effectively resolving [problem solved]. Their ability to motivate teams and navigate challenges makes them an ideal candidate for this leadership role.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 7: Teamwork and Collaboration
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I recommend [Friend’s Name] with great confidence, particularly for their strong teamwork skills. I’ve observed [his/her/their] collaborative spirit during our time [together on project or activity]. [He/She/They] excels at listening to diverse perspectives and finding common ground to achieve shared goals. [Give a specific example of teamwork]. Their cooperative attitude and ability to foster positive working relationships make them a valuable team member.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 8: Problem-Solving Skills
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am delighted to recommend [Friend’s Name] for their exceptional problem-solving abilities. During [shared experience], [Friend’s Name] faced a challenging situation involving [describe the situation]. [He/She/They] quickly analyzed the problem, identified creative solutions, and effectively implemented a plan that resolved the issue. Their analytical mind and resourcefulness would greatly benefit your organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 9: Communication Skills
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] because of their outstanding communication skills. Over the past [Number] years, I have been impressed by [his/her/their] ability to clearly and effectively convey ideas, both verbally and in writing. [Give a specific example of excellent communication, e.g., presentation, written report, conflict resolution]. [He/She/They] is an excellent listener and can adapt communication styles to suit different audiences. Their ability to communicate effectively makes them a valuable asset to any team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 10: Work Ethic and Dedication
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I highly recommend [Friend’s Name] because of their exceptional work ethic and dedication. As a friend for [Number] years, I have witnessed firsthand their commitment to achieving goals and going the extra mile. During [shared experience, e.g., university project, volunteer work], [Friend’s Name] consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic by [give a specific example, e.g., working long hours, taking on extra responsibilities]. Their diligence and perseverance make them a reliable and valuable asset.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 11: Project Management Skills
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to highly recommend [Friend’s Name] for their project management skills. During the [Project Name] project we worked on together, [Friend’s Name] successfully coordinated tasks, managed timelines, and ensured that the project stayed within budget. Their ability to organize, prioritize, and lead made a significant impact on the project’s success. [He/She/They] consistently demonstrated excellent leadership qualities and a strong understanding of project management principles.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 12: Adaptability and Flexibility
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am delighted to recommend [Friend’s Name] for their exceptional adaptability and flexibility. During a challenging situation at [Event/Project], [Friend’s Name] quickly adjusted to changing circumstances and found innovative solutions to keep the project on track. [He/She/They] consistently demonstrated the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure, making [him/her/them] an invaluable asset to any team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 13: Creativity and Innovation
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am delighted to recommend [Friend’s Name] because of [his/her/their] creativity and innovative thinking. In our experience working together on [Project Name], [Friend’s Name] introduced several groundbreaking concepts that significantly improved the project’s efficiency and impact. [He/She/They] consistently demonstrated a unique ability to approach challenges from new perspectives and develop creative solutions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 14: Technical Skills
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I recommend [Friend’s Name] with great enthusiasm, particularly regarding [his/her/their] technical skills. During the [Project Name], [He/She/They] was instrumental in implementing [specific technology/software], which significantly improved our workflow. [Friend’s Name] has a deep understanding of [relevant technical areas] and a proven ability to learn new technologies quickly. Their technical expertise would be invaluable to your organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 15: Customer Service Skills
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am pleased to recommend [Friend’s Name] for [his/her/their] outstanding customer service skills. During our time together, I consistently observed [him/her/them] go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. [He/She/They] is patient, empathetic, and skilled at resolving conflicts. Their dedication to providing exceptional customer service would make [him/her/them] an excellent addition to your team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] -
Sample Letter 16: Volunteering Experience
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email][Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Organization Name]Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am happy to recommend [Friend’s Name], particularly for their dedication to volunteering. I have known [him/her/them] as a volunteer at [Volunteer Organization] for the past [Number] years. During that time, [Friend’s Name] has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to helping others and making a positive impact on our community. [He/She/They] consistently demonstrates compassion, reliability, and a strong work ethic.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Key Takeaways for a Strong Recommendation Letter:
Remember, a great recommendation letter is personalized, specific, and enthusiastic. These samples give you a starting point. Focus on your friend’s strengths, provide concrete examples, and tailor the letter to the specific opportunity. Proofread carefully and submit it promptly to enhance your friend’s chances of success.
Conclusion
Crafting a compelling recommendation letter for a friend requires thoughtful consideration and genuine enthusiasm. Use these samples as a foundation, but remember to personalize each letter to reflect your friend’s unique qualities and the specific requirements of the opportunity they are pursuing. A well-written recommendation can significantly impact their chances of success, so invest the time to create a letter that truly showcases their potential.