Business Letters   Reference Letters

Writing Letter of Recommendation

Advice for the person writing the letter

A Letter of Recommendation is also known as a Reference Letter or a Character Reference Letter. These terms are used interchangeably.

Almost everyone at some point in time will be asked to write a Reference Letter. Whether it's for an employee, a friend, or someone you've worked with, it is important to be prepared to write an effective Reference Letter.

If you are happy to write one for the person, then you should do the following:

1. Ask the person for a copy of their resume and a list of accomplishments. This is extremely helpful if you are not sure of what to say. If you know the person well, this will help you write a better letter.
2. Start the letter by describing how long you've known the person and in what capacity. Include dates of employment and details on how you've worked with (or known) the person.
3. Then describe the person's skills and performance and what makes them a good employee. Also include two or three outstanding attributes.
4. End the Letter of Recommendation by summarizing why you are recommending this person for employment. You may also want to provide a phone number or email address so employers can follow up if they have questions or want more information.

It is also very important to say "no" if you are not comfortable recommending the person. It is not in the person's best interest for you to write a bland endorsement. Employers will usually be able to read what you are not saying. Just tell the person you don't know him/her well enough to write a good letter. That way you don't hurt the person's feelings.

Here is a Sample letter of recommendation , a Sample Reference Letter and a Character reference letter .

Advice for the person requesting the letter

When asking for a Letter of Recommendation, be sure to ask someone who knows you well enough. Some people you can ask are your relatives, lecturers (if you are fresh to the workforce), you supervisor, manager or your colleagues.

To help them write the Letter of Recommendation, give each a copy of your resume and describe the positions that you are investigating. The more they understand your objective and qualifications, the better the reference they will be able to give you.

Ensure that the letter of recommendation is sent directly to you. It is in your best interests to be able to screen for a less than glowing recommendation. When you send out your resume, include a copy of each Letter of Recommendation and carry them with you on job interviews.

Send a thank you letter to each of your references when you have completed your job search. It is wise to keep in close contact with your references for two reasons:

• References can be a great networking tool to track down job leads.
• You may need their help again down the road.

This advice was modified from 3001 Business & Sales Letters. Click Here to order your copy now.

Other Related pages

Job Search Resume Cover Letter