Also known as a letter of reference or recommendation letter. A reference letter is a recommendation from a previous or current manager, boss, supervisor, professor, coworker, peer, or personal relation of the requester of the letter, and it gives insights regarding the person’s knowledge, skills, experience, awards, or aptitudes that he or she possess.
It’s common to use a reference letter during the search for a new job, or project, or when you are applying for a program at a graduate school. Especially for students, reference letters may be required when applying for awards, funds, or grants such as a scholarship or fellowship. When presented selectively in a portfolio, reference letters provide compelling evidence to an employer or committee about your abilities. This blank reference letter is intuitive, use when you want to recommend a person for a job position in another company or organization. Try it now and let this sample letter inspire you. We certainly encourage you to use this for your own benefit.
School Recommendation Letter Format:
- Dear {{Recipient’s Name}},
- To Whom It May Concern,
- Dear {{name of friend}}
Body of the letter First paragraph.
The first paragraph is the introduction portion. The sender will let the receiver his intention of writing. In the first paragraph, it is usually the portion where one will make a greeting and would ask the recipient how they are doing. Included also in the introduction is the inquiry of the sender about the recipient’s health and if it is a reply letter about the receipt of the previous letter.
- It is with great pleasure that I recommend {{Name}}.
- I have known her for {{Number of Years}} years.
- {{he/she}} has always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and ambition.
- {{He/She}} is definitely a leader rather than a follower. In addition to her excellent scholastic accomplishments, {{he/she}} has proven her leadership ability by organizing a hockey league in a location to provide young people an opportunity to compete and learn good sportsmanship.
Second Paragraph.
The second paragraph is where you shall exchange information. Start it by saying what you feel or your opinion on something he said. You can also discuss here any activities you have done. Try to inform the recipient of your recent achievement or interest or pursuits.
- {{Name}} is also a most dependable team player. Her good judgment and mature outlook ensure a logical and practical approach to {{His/her}} endeavors.
- {{Name}} would be an asset to any organization, and I am happy to give her my wholehearted endorsement.
- After our days in school, he diligently looked for employment and nailed {{Job position}} locally. He is exceedingly passionate about his duties and treated them with the necessary seriousness.
- With his exceptional people skills, he helped staff members with their administrative responsibilities.
Third paragraph.
Under this paragraph, you are supposed to end your letter. You can tell here your feelings about your distance and wish the recipient friend luck.
{{Complimentary close}} casual signing
Sincerely,
- I exceptionally recommend {{Recipient’s Name}} for the job of {{Job position}} at {{Company Name}}.
- {{Recipient’s Name}} is my close childhood friend whom I have known for {{number}} years.
- I watched his skills grow from humble beginnings ever since our college days where he majored in Management.
- I honestly believe he is the man for the job.
- Unfortunately, the {{Company Name}} suffered an unforeseen fire and is no more.
- {{Recipient’s Name}} is a hard worker whose passion and devotion will positively impact your Gallery. I am confident to recommend {{Recipient’s Name}} for the post of {{Job position}}. If you have any inquiries about him, do not hesitate to ask.
- If you have any inquiries about him, do not hesitate to ask.
- Sincerely,
Sample School Recommendation Letter for student from Teacher:
Dear {{Name of Employer or Graduate School Committee}},
I am pleased to write a letter of recommendation for {{name of student}}. I highly recommend {{name of student}} to your organization for the position of {{job title}}.
I have known {{name of student}} for the past {{number of months, semesters, years}}as {{he/she}} has taken the following courses that I teach: {{list courses, give a brief description of the content of course}}. As {{his/her}} professor, I have had an opportunity to observe {{his/her}} participation and interaction in class and to evaluate {{name of student}}’s knowledge of the subject matter. {{He/she}} is an outstanding student in all respects. {{Name of student}} has proven that through hard work, follow-through, and teamwork, {{he/she}} can accomplish tasks in a courteous and timely manner.
{{Give one or two specific examples of the student's performance. Also, list other activities that the student is involved with at the university and outside of the university. Point out the areas in which this individual has learned and had the chance to grow with these opportunities.}}
{{Name of student}} is well equipped to grow from challenges that {{he/she}} is presented with. {{His/her}} {{list three key traits (examples: patience, teaching ability, strong computer programming stills…)}}, prepare {{him/her}} beautifully for your{{company/organization/school/program}}. I strongly endorse making {{name of student}} a member of your team at {{list company name/school/program}}.
Sincerely,
What makes a good reference letter?
- Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments, skills, and strengths;
- Use of the active voice indicates that you completed tasks and demonstrated desirable behaviors. The passive voice can indicate that events happened to you and tasks would have been completed whether you were there or not;
- How you performed the responsibilities required for the position or role. A glowing reference letter will include how you exceeded expectations in your position/role, even if it is only in one area.
- Descriptions of your contributions to the work/academic environment, whether in regards to your
- work habits, such as completed tasks on time, or your personal strengths, for example, you are collegial and supportive;
- If possible, a statement indicating that the referee would re-hire you or collaborate with you on another project. People may also work several times for the same organization and it is beneficial for you if the letter indicates that you worked for or with the referee several times or that they expect to work with you in the future.
- The referee’s contact information including his or her full name, appropriate title, address, phone number, and/or e-mail address;
- Write enthusiastically! Show off the character and personality of the person;
- Provide descriptions of your contributions to the work/academic environment related to completed tasks on time or your strengths;
- Always use action verbs to describe your accomplishments, skills, and strengths;
- Make sure to use the active voice which indicates that you completed tasks and demonstrated desirable behaviors. Since the passive voice can indicate that events happened with or without your active involvement;
- Explain how you performed the responsibilities required, and therefore it’s good to study some appealing anecdotes;
- If possible, a statement indicating people would re-hire you or collaborate with you on another project;
- Structured and written to highlight the person's strengths;
- Immediately clear about the purpose and position the person is seeking;
- Brief, preferably one or pages in length;
- Clean, error-free, and easy to read;
- Using common business letter format;
- No copying of exact words/phrases from sample letters without checking the context;
- Uses the correct name of the University or organization;
- Contact information including his or her full name, appropriate title, address, phone number, and/or e-mail address;
- Expands upon their resume; do not repeat it verbatim in your reference letter as well.
Our collection of online HR templates aims to make life easier for you. By providing you this personal reference letter template, we hope you can save precious time effort and it will help you to reach the next level of success in your life, studies, or work! This blank is intuitive, ready-to-use, and structured in a smart way. Try it now and let this template inspire you to complete your task quickly. We certainly encourage you to use this for your own good and are confident it will fit your needs.