An email arrives in your inbox from a former employee or coworker. You see the subject line: Request: Recommendation Letter for Job. Immediately, your stomach drops. Show
Of course, it’s flattering to be asked to draft a recommendation letter. But on the other hand, you have to admit that you’re dreading it. Your schedule’s already packed, and this is just one more thing to add to your never-ending to-do list. SEARCH OPEN JOBS ON THE MUSE! See who’s hiring here, and you can even filter your search by benefits, company size, remote opportunities, and more. Then, sign up for our newsletter and we’ll deliver advice on landing the job right to you. Add to that, reference letters can be a challenge to whip up—particularly when you want to craft something that’s well-written, personalized, and truly does that person justice to a hiring manager. But stress no more! Writing a recommendation letter for an employee no longer needs to send you into a tailspin, thanks to our easy-to-follow format and guide. (Need to write someone a LinkedIn recommendation? Get advice for that here.) Collect Important Background InformationFirst things first, you need to know why you’re being asked to write the recommendation letter. Are you writing a letter of recommendation for academic reasons, a personal character reference, a new job, or something else? If the recommendee hasn’t already provided you information about what they need the letter for, ask them to supply you with the following:
Having this info in hand will help you focus on the right traits and accomplishments and position the person in the best way possible. Master the Recommendation Letter FormatA good recommendation letter includes three main points: your relationship with the person you’re recommending, observations and evaluations of their work, and why they are qualified for the position.
Still not sure what to say? Our basic template will show you how to write a letter of recommendation that not only is personalized, but highlights why your colleague should get the position they are seeking. Letter of Recommendation TemplateDear [First and Last Name], It’s my absolute pleasure to recommend [Name] for [position] with [Company]. [Name] and I [relationship] at [Company] for [length of time]. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with [Name], and came to know [him/her/them] as a truly valuable asset to our team. [He is/She is/They are] honest, dependable, and incredibly hardworking. Beyond that, [he is/she is/they are] an impressive [soft skill] who is able to [result]. [His/her/their] knowledge of [specific subject] and expertise in [specific subject] was a huge advantage to our entire office. [He/she/they] put this skill set to work in order to [specific achievement]. Along with [his/her/their] undeniable talent, [Name] has always been an absolute joy to work with. [He is/she is/they are] a true team player, and always foster[s] positive discussions and bring[s] the best out of other employees. Without a doubt, I confidently recommend [Name] to join your team at [Company]. As a dedicated and knowledgeable employee and an all-around great person, I know that [he/she/they] will be a beneficial addition to your organization. Please feel free to contact me at 555-123-4567 if you want to discuss [Name]’s qualifications and experience further. I’d be happy to expand on my recommendation. Best wishes, [Your Name] Seems simple enough, right? But I know that filling in those blanks is one of the toughest parts. So, let’s take a look at our recommendation letter example in practice, shall we? Here’s how this recommendation letter draft would look for Joanne, a hypothetical sales employee I’d previously managed. Recommendation Letter Sample
Dear Arya Smith, It’s my absolute pleasure to recommend Joanne Adams for the Sales Manager position with The Sales Company. Joanne and I worked together at Generic Sales Company, where I was her manager and direct supervisor from 2015 to 2019. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Joanne and came to know her as a truly valuable asset to our team. She is honest, dependable, and incredibly hardworking. Beyond that, she is an impressive problem solver who is able to address complex issues strategically and confidently. Joanne is inspired by challenges and never intimidated by them. Her knowledge of sales etiquette and expertise in cold calling was a huge advantage to our entire office. Not only did she put this skill set to work, but she also led a series of training sessions on cold calling with the team—increasing our total sales by over 18% in just one quarter. I know that Joanne was a huge piece of our success. Along with her undeniable talent, Joanne has always been an absolute joy to work with. She is a true team player, and always fosters positive discussions and brings the best out of other employees. Without a doubt, I confidently recommend Joanne to join your team at The Sales Company. As a dedicated and knowledgeable employee and an all-around great person, I know that she will be a beneficial addition to your organization. Please feel free to contact me at 555-123-4567 if you want to discuss Joanne's qualifications and experience further. I’d be happy to expand on my recommendation. Best wishes, Kat Boogaard There you have it—a reference letter that is quick to the point, enthusiastic yet professional, and would make anybody want to hire Joanne immediately. Of course, keep in mind that this is simply a letter of recommendation template. You can definitely make some tweaks and inject creativity and personality into your own reference letter. In fact, I encourage you to do so! In the meantime, this reference letter example should get you started and on the right track. Remember, be complimentary (while still being honest!). A negative recommendation serves no purpose, so if you find yourself going down that road, it’s better to tell the person no. And, of course, ensure that you personalize every single letter or recommendation email that you write. The more customized you can make it, the better! Updated 1/24/2022 How do you start a recommendation letter for a coworker?How to write a letter of recommendation for a coworker?. Gather the information you need. ... . Give a short introduction and an explanation of your professional relationship. ... . Include some examples and make them as specific as possible. ... . Explain how your coworker can be an asset to the company. ... . Include your contact details.. How do I write a simple letter of recommendation?A good recommendation letter includes three main points: your relationship with the person you're recommending, observations and evaluations of their work, and why they are qualified for the position. Establish how you worked together and for how long in a sentence or two.
How do you write a recommendation for a team member?How to write a letter of recommendation for an employee. Use a business letter format. ... . Explain why you're qualified to write the letter. ... . Describe your former employee's work habits, skills and accomplishments. ... . Use specific examples. ... . Conclude the letter with a formal closing. ... . Proofread your document.. How do I write a letter of recommendation for someone else?How to write a reference letter for a friend. Accept if you can provide a quality reference. ... . Request details about the job opening. ... . Ask your friend about goals and objectives. ... . Discuss the background of your relationship. ... . Mention examples of skills and qualifications. ... . Focus on improvement and progress.. |