Writing a strong reference or recommendation letter can significantly impact someone’s career prospects. It provides potential employers or educational institutions with valuable insights into the candidate’s skills, character, and suitability for a particular role or program. A well-crafted letter goes beyond simply stating facts; it showcases specific examples of the candidate’s achievements and qualities. Understanding the key components and utilizing effective writing techniques are essential for creating a compelling and persuasive recommendation.
This article offers a comprehensive guide to writing effective recommendation letters, complete with 16 diverse examples to illustrate different scenarios and writing styles. These samples cover a wide range of professions and academic levels, providing you with a solid foundation for crafting your own letters. Each sample highlights key elements such as the writer’s relationship to the candidate, specific examples of their skills and accomplishments, and an overall endorsement of their abilities. Remember, a personalized and genuine recommendation can make all the difference.
Before diving into the samples, it’s crucial to understand the core elements of a strong recommendation letter. Firstly, clearly state your relationship to the candidate and the duration of your association. This establishes your credibility and provides context for your assessment. Next, focus on specific skills and accomplishments, providing concrete examples to support your claims. Quantifiable achievements are particularly powerful. Finally, tailor the letter to the specific position or program the candidate is applying for, highlighting the skills and qualities that are most relevant. Proofread carefully for any grammatical errors or typos, as these can detract from the overall impact of the letter.
The following samples are formatted to give you a better idea and direction of how to format and write the letter. Use these letters and templates to get a better idea of a strong letter of recommendation that will get them the opportunity or job they are wanting.
16 Reference Recommendation Letter Samples:
Sample 1: Academic Recommendation (Professor to Graduate School)
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Department]
[University Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
Admissions Committee
[Graduate Program Name]
[University Name]
Dear Admissions Committee,
It is with great pleasure that I recommend [Student’s Name] for admission to your [Graduate Program Name] program. I had [Student’s Name] in my [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year]. [He/She] consistently demonstrated a strong grasp of the material and a remarkable ability to think critically.
[Student’s Name]’s performance on the [Specific Assignment/Project] was particularly impressive. [He/She] [Specific Action showcasing skill] which resulted in [Positive Outcome]. This demonstrated [His/Her] [Specific Skill] and [Another Specific Skill].
Beyond [His/Her] academic abilities, [Student’s Name] is a highly motivated and engaged student. [He/She] actively participated in class discussions and frequently sought out additional resources to deepen [His/Her] understanding of the subject matter. I am confident that [Student’s Name] possesses the intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and dedication to succeed in your rigorous program.
I highly recommend [Student’s Name] without reservation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 2: Professional Recommendation (Manager to Employee)
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name (if known), or “Hiring Manager”]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name or “Hiring Manager”],
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Employee’s Name] for the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I had the pleasure of working with [Employee’s Name] as [His/Her] manager at [Your Company Name] for the past [Number] years.
During [His/Her] time at [Your Company Name], [Employee’s Name] consistently exceeded expectations in [His/Her] role as [Employee’s Position]. [He/She] possesses a strong work ethic, is a highly motivated individual, and demonstrates exceptional [Specific Skill] skills. For example, when [Specific Project/Situation], [Employee’s Name] [Specific Action showcasing skill] which resulted in [Quantifiable Result].
[Employee’s Name] is also a valuable team player. [He/She] is always willing to assist colleagues and contributes positively to the overall team dynamic. [He/She] is a proactive problem-solver and consistently seeks opportunities to improve processes and increase efficiency.
I am confident that [Employee’s Name] would be a valuable asset to your team. [He/She] possesses the skills, experience, and dedication to excel in this role. I highly recommend [Him/Her] without reservation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 3: Coworker Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name (if known), or “Hiring Manager”]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name or “Hiring Manager”],
I am pleased to recommend [Employee’s Name] for this position. [He/She] and I worked closely together for [time period]. [He/She] is an asset to any team.
During [His/Her] time working with me, [Employee’s Name] completed [His/Her] goals efficiently and proficiently. [He/She] possesses a great work ethic and is reliable.
[Employee’s Name] is a great communicator and gets along with many colleagues. [He/She] brings positive attitude to any work environment.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for this position. [He/She] will make a great addition to any team. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 4: Character Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Community Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Organization or Recruiter’s Name (if known), or “Organization/Recruiter”]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Organization or Recruiter’s Name or “Organization/Recruiter”],
I am happy to write a letter of recommendation for [Employee’s Name]. [He/She] and I have known each other for many years.
During [His/Her] years that I’ve known [Him/Her], [Employee’s Name] has always been an upstanding citizen. [He/She] volunteers for community events and is always wanting to help others. [He/She] makes a positive difference in our community.
[Employee’s Name] is kind, dependable and a joy to be around. [He/She] cares for others and brings a smile to everyone’s face.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name]. [He/She] is a great person to be around. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 5: Scholarship Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[School/Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Organization or Recruiter’s Name (if known), or “Organization/Recruiter”]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Organization or Recruiter’s Name or “Organization/Recruiter”],
I am pleased to recommend [Employee’s Name] for a scholarship to help further [His/Her] educational opportunities. [He/She] is dedicated and hardworking and I know the scholarship will benefit [Him/Her] greatly.
During [His/Her] time in school, [Employee’s Name] has maintained a high grade point average while participating in multiple extracurricular activities. [He/She] is organized, disciplined and a focused student.
[Employee’s Name] would benefit greatly from receiving this scholarship and will help [Him/Her] focus on education and [His/Her] goals.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name]. [He/She] is hard working and has high moral character. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 6: Internship Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name (if known), or “Hiring Manager”]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name or “Hiring Manager”],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the internship position. [He/She] would bring unique skills to the table and I would be happy to mentor [Him/Her].
[Employee’s Name] is hard working and eager to learn new things. [He/She] is quick to learn new skills and asks great questions.
During [His/Her] time at [Company], [Employee’s Name] has learned [skills] and implemented many of [His/Her] own ideas to further our goals.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for this position. [He/She] will make a great addition to your company. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 7: Volunteer Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name (if known), or “Hiring Manager”]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name or “Hiring Manager”],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for this position. [He/She] is a great volunteer and has a great heart for helping others.
[Employee’s Name] is very dedicated and willing to help out wherever and whenever possible. [He/She] goes above and beyond what is expected.
[Employee’s Name] is skilled in [skills] and works well with all members of the organization. [He/She] is dependable and always on time.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for this position. [He/She] would make a great volunteer to any organization. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 8: Medical School Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Medical School Admissions Team]
[Medical School]
[Medical School Address]
Dear [Medical School Admissions Team],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the medical school program. [He/She] is dedicated and hard working and I believe will excel in the medical field.
[Employee’s Name] has a natural bedside manner and a great interest in helping those in need. [He/She] would be a great asset to the medical profession.
[Employee’s Name] has volunteered and shadowed with me over the past several years and has displayed a great medical mind as well as a caring heart.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the medical school program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 9: Law School Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Law School Admissions Team]
[Law School]
[Law School Address]
Dear [Law School Admissions Team],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the law school program. [He/She] is hard working and has a great legal mind.
[Employee’s Name] is organized and a great communicator. [He/She] is able to present [His/Her] arguments clearly.
[Employee’s Name] would be a great asset to any law firm. [He/She] is reliable and dedicated and willing to take on any task.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the law school program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 10: Residency Program Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Residency Program Admissions Team]
[Hospital/Organization]
[Hospital/Organization Address]
Dear [Residency Program Admissions Team],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the residency program. [He/She] is knowledgeable, a hard worker and compassionate.
[Employee’s Name] has shown dedication to [His/Her] medical career. [He/She] will go far in the medical field.
[Employee’s Name] has worked with me for many years and has displayed a high level of skill in the medical field.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the residency program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 11: Sports Team Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Sports Team Coaches/Management Team]
[Organization]
[Organization Address]
Dear [Sports Team Coaches/Management Team],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the team. [He/She] is dedicated, athletic and will work well with all team members.
[Employee’s Name] has shown dedication to team and practices and is constantly working to improve [His/Her] skills.
[Employee’s Name] is a hard worker and reliable. I highly recommend [Him/Her].
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the sports team. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 12: Board of Director’s Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Committee]
[Organization]
[Organization Address]
Dear [Committee],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the Board of Directors team. [He/She] is dedicated, knowledgeable and will serve the company well.
[Employee’s Name] has worked and served the company for many years and would be a great addition to the team.
[Employee’s Name] is reliable and a hard worker. I am confident that [He/She] will make a great addition.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the Board of Director’s team. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 13: Promotion Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Management/HR Team]
[Organization]
[Organization Address]
Dear [Management/HR Team],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for a promotion. [He/She] is knowledgable and deserving of this opportunity.
[Employee’s Name] has been with the company for many years and is a great asset.
[Employee’s Name] is hard working, dedicated and I am confident that this promotion will benefit [Him/Her] and the company.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the promotion. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 14: Sports Scholarship Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Athletic Team]
[Organization]
[Organization Address]
Dear [Athletic Team],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for a sports scholarship. [He/She] is athletic and skilled and will thrive in sports.
[Employee’s Name] has dedicated [His/Her] life to sports and should be recognized.
[Employee’s Name] has worked hard to better [His/Her] game and the team will benefit from a scholarship.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the sports scholarship. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 15: Study Abroad Program Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Organization Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Committee]
[Organization]
[Organization Address]
Dear [Committee],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for a study abroad program. [He/She] is knowledgable and willing to learn.
[Employee’s Name] is a great student and will benefit from experiencing a study abroad program.
[Employee’s Name] is adventurous and excited to learn about other cultures.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the study abroad program. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Sample 16: Childcare Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Neighborhood Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Parent’s Name]
[Street Address]
[City and State]
Dear [Parent’s Name],
I am happy to recommend [Employee’s Name] for a childcare position. [He/She] is caring, responsible and will take great care of children.
[Employee’s Name] is able to keep a watchful eye on young children and is responsible.
[Employee’s Name] is playful and can engage with children.
I highly recommend [Employee’s Name] for the childcare position. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
In conclusion, writing an effective recommendation letter requires careful consideration and a personalized approach. By understanding the key elements of a strong recommendation, utilizing the provided samples as guidance, and tailoring your letter to the specific context, you can create a powerful and persuasive document that significantly enhances the candidate’s chances of success. Remember to be genuine, specific, and enthusiastic in your endorsement. Your recommendation can make a real difference in someone’s life.