Every day brings new projects, emails, documents, and task lists, and often it is not that different from the work you have done before. Many of our day-to-day tasks are similar to something we have done before. Don't reinvent the wheel for repetitive tasks. For example when you are asked to write a recommendation letter for somebody. Instead, have a look at our letter sample and let it inspire you to write an engaging and effective personalized letter.
What is a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation, or 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 reference letters
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.
What 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 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;
- 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.