Are you struggling to write a personal recommendation letter? Look no further! This article provides tips and seven example letters that you can edit and use as needed.
Tips for Writing a Personal Recommendation Letter
When writing a personal recommendation letter, it’s important to follow these tips:
- Start with a clear and concise title.
- Begin by introducing yourself and your relationship to the person you are recommending.
- Explain why you are qualified to provide a recommendation.
- Provide specific examples of the person’s skills and qualities.
- Keep the letter to one page or less.
- Proofread the letter for errors and typos.
- End with a strong and positive closing statement.
Sample Personal Recommendation Letters
Recommendation for Graduate School
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend John Smith for admission to your graduate program in computer science. As John’s professor for the past three years, I have been impressed with his exceptional analytical skills and innovative problem-solving abilities.
John’s work on his senior thesis, which involved designing and implementing a complex algorithm, was outstanding. He also demonstrated leadership skills as the president of our computer science club, where he organized several successful events that brought together students and faculty from across campus.
Overall, I highly recommend John for admission to your graduate program. He has the intelligence, drive, and creativity to excel in the program and make important contributions to the field of computer science.
Sincerely,
Professor Jane Doe
Recommendation for Job Application
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Sarah Johnson for the position of marketing manager at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Sarah for three years at XYZ Corporation, where she consistently demonstrated her exceptional marketing skills and strategic thinking abilities.
Sarah led our team in developing a successful marketing campaign that resulted in a 30% increase in sales. She also demonstrated excellent leadership skills as the head of our department, where she managed a team of ten employees and consistently met or exceeded our departmental goals.
I am confident that Sarah would be an asset to your company and would make important contributions to your marketing team. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
John Smith
Recommendation for Scholarship
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am writing to recommend Maria Rodriguez for your scholarship program. I have had the pleasure of teaching Maria in my history class for the past two years, and I have been consistently impressed with her intelligence, work ethic, and dedication to her studies.
Maria’s academic record is outstanding, with a GPA of 4.0 and numerous awards and honors. She is also actively involved in extracurricular activities, including volunteering at a local nonprofit organization and participating in the debate team.
Overall, I highly recommend Maria for your scholarship program. She has the intellectual curiosity, leadership skills, and passion for learning that are needed to make important contributions to her community and to society at large.
Sincerely,
Professor John Doe
Recommendation for Immigration
Dear Immigration Officer,
I am writing to recommend Juan Martinez for a green card in the United States. I have known Juan for the past ten years as his employer, and I can attest to his exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to his community.
Juan has worked for my construction company as a foreman for the past five years, where he has demonstrated his leadership skills and ability to manage complex projects. He is also actively involved in his community, volunteering at a local church and serving as a mentor for at-risk youth.
I strongly believe that Juan would be an asset to the United States and would make important contributions to our society. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or require additional information.
Best regards,
Robert Johnson
Recommendation for Graduate School (Academic)
Dear Graduate Admissions Committee,
I am writing to highly recommend Michael Johnson for admission to your graduate program in physics. As Michael’s research mentor for the past two years, I have had the pleasure of watching him develop into an exceptional scientist with a passion for his field.
Michael’s research on quantum computing has resulted in two publications in high-impact journals and has attracted the attention of several leading researchers in the field. He has also demonstrated outstanding teaching skills as a teaching assistant for our undergraduate physics courses.
Overall, I strongly believe that Michael has the ability, drive, and creativity to make important contributions to your graduate program and to the field of physics. Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information or have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Professor Jane Smith
Recommendation for Volunteer Organization
Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
I am writing to recommend Emily Davis for your volunteer organization. I have had the pleasure of working with Emily for the past year at a local nonprofit organization, where she has demonstrated her dedication, commitment, and leadership skills.
Emily has worked tirelessly to help us organize several successful fundraising events and has also volunteered her time to mentor several at-risk youth in our community. She has a warm and engaging personality and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
I highly recommend Emily for your volunteer organization. She has the skills, passion, and commitment to make a positive difference in your organization and in the lives of those you serve.
Best regards,
John Doe
Recommendation for Law School
Dear Law School Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend Rachel Garcia for admission to your law school. I have had the pleasure of working with Rachel as her supervisor for the past three years, where she has demonstrated her exceptional analytical skills, critical thinking abilities, and strong work ethic.
Rachel has also demonstrated excellent leadership skills as the president of our pre-law student association, where she organized several successful events and mentored several undergraduate students on how to prepare for law school.
I strongly believe that Rachel would be an outstanding addition to your law school and would make important contributions to the legal field. Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information or have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Professor Robert Smith
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a personal recommendation letter?
A personal recommendation letter should include an introduction that explains your relationship to the person you are recommending, an explanation of why you are qualified to provide a recommendation, specific examples of the person’s skills and qualities, and a strong and positive closing statement.
How long should a personal recommendation letter be?
A personal recommendation letter should be kept to one page or less.
Can I edit the example letters to fit my needs?
Yes, the example letters provided can be edited as needed to fit your specific situation.
What should I do if I don’t feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter?
If you don’t feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter, it’s best to politely decline the request. Recommending someone for a position or program is a serious commitment, and it’s important to only provide a recommendation if you feel confident in your ability to do so.
Should I send the recommendation letter directly to the recipient?
It’s best to follow the instructions provided by the recipient. Some organizations may require that the recommendation letter be sent directly to them, while others may ask that it be given to the person being recommended to include in their application materials.
Is it appropriate to write a negative recommendation letter?
No, it’s not appropriate to write a negative recommendation letter. If you don’t feel comfortable providing a positive recommendation, it’s best to politely decline the request.
Conclusion
Writing a personal recommendation letter can be challenging, but by following these tips and using the example letters provided, you can create a strong and effective letter that highlights the skills and qualities of the person being recommended. Remember to keep the letter concise and positive, and to proofread it carefully for errors and typos. Good luck!