Writing a letter of recommendation for a friend and colleague can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure where to start. However, it’s a powerful way to help your friend and colleague showcase their skills and achievements to potential employers or academic institutions. In this article, we will provide you with tips for writing a great letter of recommendation, along with seven examples that you can use as a template. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions about this topic.
Tips for Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a Friend and Colleague
Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing a letter of recommendation for a friend and colleague:
Start with a Title
The first thing you need to do when writing a letter of recommendation is to come up with a title that accurately reflects the purpose of the letter. This will help the reader understand what the letter is about and why it’s important.
For example, “Letter of Recommendation for John Smith’s Graduate School Application” is a clear and concise title that tells the reader exactly what the letter is for.
Be Honest
It’s important to be honest when writing a letter of recommendation. If you don’t feel comfortable providing a positive recommendation, it’s better to decline the request than to write a lukewarm or negative letter.
However, if you do feel comfortable providing a positive recommendation, be sure to focus on specific examples of the person’s skills and achievements that you have witnessed firsthand.
Keep it Concise
A letter of recommendation should be no more than one or two pages long. Keep your language clear and concise, and avoid using overly complex or technical terms.
Use specific examples to back up your claims about the person’s skills and achievements. For example, instead of saying, “John is a great team player,” you might say, “When we worked together on a group project last year, John’s excellent communication skills and positive attitude helped us overcome several challenges.”
Examples
Here are seven examples of letters of recommendation that you can use as a template:
Letter of Recommendation for a Job Application
Dear [Employer’s Name],
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for the position of [Position Title] at your company. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are a highly skilled and dedicated professional.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I highly recommend [Friend’s Name] for the position of [Position Title] at your company. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter of Recommendation for a Graduate School Application
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for admission to [Name of Graduate Program] at [Name of University]. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are a highly intelligent, motivated, and dedicated individual.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I believe that [Friend’s Name] would be an excellent addition to your program, and I highly recommend them for admission. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter of Recommendation for a Promotion
Dear [Employer’s Name],
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for a promotion to [New Position Title] at your company. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are an outstanding employee.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I believe that [Friend’s Name] would excel in the role of [New Position Title], and I highly recommend them for the position. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship Application
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for the [Name of Scholarship] at [Name of University]. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are a highly motivated and talented individual.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I believe that [Friend’s Name] would be an excellent recipient of the [Name of Scholarship], and I highly recommend them for the award. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter of Recommendation for an Internship Application
Dear [Employer’s Name],
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for the [Name of Internship] at your company. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I believe that [Friend’s Name] would be an excellent addition to your team, and I highly recommend them for the [Name of Internship]. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter of Recommendation for a Teaching Position
Dear Hiring Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for the position of [Position Title] at your school. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are a highly skilled and dedicated teacher.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I believe that [Friend’s Name] would be an excellent addition to your faculty, and I highly recommend them for the position of [Position Title]. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter of Recommendation for a Volunteer Position
Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
I am writing to recommend [Friend’s Name] for the position of [Position Title] at [Name of Organization]. I have had the pleasure of working with [Friend’s Name] for [Length of Time], and I can confidently say that they are a highly dedicated and reliable volunteer.
[Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
[Additional Examples of Friend’s Name’s Skills and Achievements].
I believe that [Friend’s Name] would be an excellent addition to your team of volunteers, and I highly recommend them for the position of [Position Title]. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I decline a request to write a letter of recommendation?
Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to decline a request to write a letter of recommendation if you don’t feel comfortable providing a positive recommendation. It’s better to be honest than to write a lukewarm or negative letter.
What should I include in a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation should include specific examples of the person’s skills and achievements that you have witnessed firsthand. It should also be clear, concise, and no more than one or two pages long.
How should I address the recipient of the letter?
You should address the recipient of the letter using a formal greeting, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Admissions Committee.”
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
A letter of recommendation should be no more than one or two pages long.
What should I do if I don’t have enough experience working with the person to write a letter of recommendation?
If you don’t have enough experience working with the person to write a letter of recommendation, it’s best to decline the request.
What should I do if the person I’m writing a letter of recommendation for has asked me to exaggerate their skills or achievements?
You should never exaggerate a person’s skills or achievements in a letter of recommendation. Be honest and focus on specific examples of what the person has accomplished.
Conclusion
Writing a letter of recommendation for a friend and colleague can be a powerful way to help them showcase their skills and achievements to potential employers or academic institutions. By following the tips and examples provided in this article, you can create a letter that will help your friend and colleague stand out from the crowd.