A letter of recommendation, also often called a 'reference letter', is often sent from the current or previous manager, supervisor, professor, coworker, peer, or personal contact who can describe the knowledge, skills, or aptitudes that you possess.
Uses for Recommendations
Recommendation letters can be used when looking for work or applying to graduate school. Reference letters may be required when applying for monetary awards, such as a fellowship or grant. When presented selectively
in a portfolio, reference letters provide compelling evidence to an employer or committee about your abilities.
While your referees can provide a verbal reference, letters can be used if your reference has moved away, is no longer with the organization, or is out of reach for some reason, such as on holiday, when you need to supply your references.
Who makes a good reference?
When looking for employment, a current or previous employer or direct supervisor is the best reference. It is also acceptable to include a direct supervisor from unpaid employment, such as a practicum or a volunteer position. When applying for graduate or professional school, persons who can comment on your academic achievements, such as a professor, or a professional who is active in the field you wish to enter, are excellent choices. Personal and/or professional acquaintances, for example, a high-ranking community member or professional in good standing whom you know personally, are also acceptable.
What makes an effective Recommendation letter?
Consider the following writing suggestions when writing a recommendation letter:
- Write a positive draft. Your letter should confirm that you believe the person is a strong candidate for the job with no reservations;
- 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 completing 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.
- Focus on the most important qualifications that you have experienced and might be relevant for the new employer;
- Follow the request instructions from the person you write the letter for, if reasonable.
- Download this standard business letter format and amend it according to your desired content and tone...
Recommendation Letter for Job Promotion
Dear Sir/Madam {{Name}},
It’s my pleasure to provide this recommendation for {{Name}} as she pursues the {{Position}} with {{Company}}. As him/her {{Position}} on the {{Team}} for the past {{Years}}, I’ve worked closely with {{Name}} on a day-to-day basis. I'm confident that {{Name}} is ready to transition into a leadership position. Please allow me to give three examples of {{Name}} qualifications for this promotion.
First, {{Name}} embodies our “c.......ss model, and {{Name}} consistently provides that service as a {{Position}}.
Second, {{Name}} has an in-depth knowledge of our products and operating procedures. After {{Years}} on the {{Team}}, he’s/she’s dealt with a variety of issues and understands the day-to-day operations and big picture aims of our business. He/She can solve problems fast and has introduced several new initiatives for improvement. Recently, she began working on a new framework to facilitate communication between the {{Team}} and the {{Team}}. {{Name}} is improving the delivery of case notes from {{Representatives}} to {{Designers}}. He/She uses him/her in-depth knowledge to drive innovation.
Third, {{Name}} has shown leadership skills throughout him/her time with {{Company}}. him/her colleagues recognize him/her as an expert in all things support, and they often go to him/her with questions. In the past year, he/she’s helped with the on boarding of several new employees, assisting with training and checking in weekly to discuss their progress. Since new employee on boarding will be a large part of him/her role as {{Role}}, {{Name}} has already proven him/her capability in this arena. I know that she has him/her colleagues’ support in stepping into the role of {{Position}}
{{Name}} has proven him/her expertise in customer relations time and time again, and she is ready to move into a position of {{Position}}. He/She is capable, confident, and committed to our mission of extraordinary support. I look forward to seeing him/her in the position of {{Position}} with {{Company}}. Thank you very much. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions.
Yours sincerely,
This Business School Academic Recommendation Letter has ways to grab your reader’s attention. They are drafted by HR professionals, are intelligently structured, and are easy to navigate.
Download this Recommendation Letter template now, which will save you time, cost, and effort and help you to be more successful in your studies or work! Try it directly and let this template inspire you to complete your recommendation letter quicker. We certainly encourage to use this Business School Academic Recommendation Letter for your own good and are confident it will fit your needs.