Crafting a Compelling Recommendation Letter
A strong recommendation letter can significantly impact a candidate’s job application. It provides valuable insight into their skills, character, and work ethic from a credible source. A well-written letter highlights specific accomplishments and qualities, making the candidate stand out from the competition. This article presents nine sample recommendation letters tailored for various employment scenarios to help you write or request impactful recommendations.
What Makes a Great Recommendation Letter?
The best recommendation letters are detailed, specific, and enthusiastic. They go beyond simply stating that the candidate is a “good employee” and instead provide concrete examples of their strengths and contributions. They demonstrate the recommender’s familiarity with the candidate’s work and showcase their positive attributes in a clear and convincing manner. These samples serve as templates to effectively demonstrate this information.
9 Sample Recommendation Letters for Employment
Sample 1: General Recommendation
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
It is with great pleasure that I recommend [Candidate Name] for a position at your company. I have known [Candidate Name] for [Number] years as their [Your Role/Relationship, e.g., supervisor at Company X]. During that time, I have been consistently impressed by their [Key Skill 1] and [Key Skill 2].
Specifically, I recall when [Candidate Name] [Specific example of achievement]. This demonstrates their [Positive Quality]. [Candidate Name] is a dedicated and hardworking individual who would be a valuable asset to your team.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 2: Academic Recommendation for Entry-Level Role
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Candidate Name] for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name]. I had the pleasure of being [Candidate Name]’s professor for [Course Name] at [University Name]. [Candidate Name] consistently demonstrated exceptional [Key Skill 1] and [Key Skill 2] throughout the course.
They excelled in [Specific Project or Assignment] and showed a remarkable ability to [Specific Achievement]. [Candidate Name] is a bright, motivated, and quick learner. I am confident they will be a valuable addition to your team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 3: Recommendation for a Leadership Role
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to strongly recommend [Candidate Name] for the [Position Name] position. As their former manager at [Company Name], I witnessed firsthand their exceptional leadership abilities and strategic thinking.
[Candidate Name] consistently exceeded expectations in [Specific Role/Responsibility]. Their ability to [Specific Leadership Skill] resulted in [Positive Outcome]. They are a highly effective communicator, a skilled problem-solver, and a natural leader. I am confident that [Candidate Name] would excel in this leadership role.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 4: Recommendation for a Specific Skill (e.g., Communication)
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am pleased to recommend [Candidate Name] for any role requiring excellent communication skills. During their time working as a [Candidate’s Role] at [Company Name], I was consistently impressed by their ability to communicate effectively with both colleagues and clients.
In particular, [Candidate Name]’s ability to [Specific Communication Skill, e.g., clearly explain complex technical information to non-technical audiences] was invaluable. For example, they [Specific Example]. Their communication skills are a true asset.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 5: Recommendation from a Colleague
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to recommend [Candidate Name] for the position at your company. I worked alongside [Candidate Name] as a [Your Role] at [Company Name] for [Number] years. I was always impressed by [Candidate Name]’s skills in [Specific Skill 1] and [Specific Skill 2].
[Candidate Name] always went above and beyond to help the team and contribute to a positive work environment. I particularly admired their ability to [Describe a specific instance of their positive contribution]. [Candidate Name] is a valuable asset and I highly recommend them.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 6: Recommendation for a Software Engineer
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Candidate Name] for the Software Engineer position at [Company Name]. I had the pleasure of being [Candidate Name]’s supervisor at [Previous Company Name] where they consistently demonstrated exceptional coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
[Candidate Name] possesses a strong understanding of [Programming Languages, e.g., Python, Java] and is proficient in [Software Development Tools, e.g., Git, Docker]. During their time here, they played a crucial role in [Project Name], where they successfully [Specific Achievement, e.g., optimized database queries resulting in a 20% performance increase]. Their ability to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies makes them a valuable asset.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 7: Recommendation Highlighting Problem Solving Skills
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to recommend [Candidate Name] for the [Position Name] position. What has always impressed me most about [Candidate Name] is their ability to quickly and effectively solve problems. In their role as [Candidate’s Role] at [Company Name], they consistently approached challenges with a strategic and analytical mindset.
Specifically, I remember a time when [Describe a specific challenge faced and how the candidate solved it]. This demonstrated their ability to [Highlight skills demonstrated during problem solving, e.g. critical thinking, resourcefulness, collaboration]. [Candidate Name] is a true problem-solver and I believe they would be an excellent asset to your company.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 8: Recommendation for an Internship
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend [Candidate Name] for the internship position at your company. As [Candidate Name]’s [Your Title/Role] at [Your Organization], I had the opportunity to witness their eagerness to learn and their dedication to their work.
During their time here, [Candidate Name] consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to take on new challenges. They quickly grasped complex concepts and contributed meaningfully to [Project/Task]. [Candidate Name] also possesses excellent [Skill 1, e.g., communication] and [Skill 2, e.g., teamwork] skills. I am confident that [Candidate Name] would be a valuable asset to your internship program.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Sample 9: Recommendation for Remote Work Position
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend [Candidate Name] for a remote work position within your organization. Having worked with [Candidate Name] as their [Your Role] at [Previous Company], I can attest to their ability to thrive in a remote environment due to their strong self-discipline, excellent communication skills, and proactive approach.
Specifically, [Candidate Name] consistently met deadlines and exceeded expectations while working independently on [Project Name]. They are highly proficient in using various communication tools like [List of Tools, e.g., Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams] and excel at collaborating effectively with team members remotely. They require minimal supervision and demonstrate a high level of accountability. [Candidate Name]’s experience and skills make them ideally suited for a successful remote work arrangement.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]
Conclusion
These sample recommendation letters provide a solid foundation for crafting your own. Remember to personalize each letter to reflect the candidate’s unique skills and experience. Emphasize specific accomplishments and quantify their impact whenever possible. A well-crafted recommendation letter can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of securing their desired job.