If you’ve been asked to write a recommendation letter for someone, you may be wondering how to get started. A work recommendation letter can be a powerful tool in helping someone secure a new job, promotion, or other career opportunity. In this article, we’ll provide tips and examples to help you write an effective work recommendation letter.
Tips for Writing a Work Recommendation Letter
Before we dive into the examples, here are some tips to keep in mind when writing a work recommendation letter:
1. Start with a Title
Begin your letter with a clear, descriptive title that summarizes the purpose of your letter. For example, “Recommendation Letter for Jane Doe” or “Reference for John Smith.”
2. Explain Your Relationship to the Candidate
In the first paragraph of your letter, introduce yourself and explain how you know the candidate. If you’ve worked with them directly, mention the position(s) they held and the length of time they worked for your organization.
3. Highlight the Candidate’s Skills and Accomplishments
In the body of your letter, provide specific examples of the candidate’s skills and accomplishments. Use concrete, measurable data whenever possible to illustrate their achievements. For example, “During her time as a marketing manager, Jane increased our email open rates by 25% and helped us generate $500,000 in new revenue.”
4. Customize Your Letter for the Job
If the candidate is applying for a specific job or opportunity, tailor your letter to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to that position.
5. Be Honest and Specific
A vague, generic letter won’t be very helpful to the candidate. Be honest in your assessment of their skills and performance, and provide specific examples to back up your claims.
6. Edit and Proofread Carefully
Before you send your letter, make sure to edit and proofread it carefully. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues.
Example Work Recommendation Letter Samples
Recommendation Letter for Sales Position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend John Smith for the sales position at your company. As John’s supervisor for the past two years, I have been consistently impressed with his sales skills and ability to build strong relationships with clients.
During his time at our company, John consistently exceeded his sales targets and helped us win several key accounts. He is an excellent communicator and is always willing to go above and beyond to meet his clients’ needs. I believe he would be a valuable asset to your sales team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Reference for Marketing Manager
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to recommend Jane Doe for the marketing manager position at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Jane for three years at our previous employer, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most talented marketing professionals I have ever worked with.
During her time at our company, Jane developed and executed several successful marketing campaigns that helped us increase our market share and generate significant revenue. She is a strategic thinker and a skilled communicator, and I believe she would be an asset to any organization.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Recommendation Letter for Project Manager
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to recommend Sarah Johnson for the project manager position at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Sarah for two years at our previous employer, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most organized and effective project managers I have ever worked with.
During her time at our company, Sarah successfully managed several complex projects, including a major product launch that involved multiple departments and stakeholders. She is a detail-oriented problem solver and a skilled communicator, and I believe she would excel in any project management role.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reference for Engineering Position
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to recommend David Lee for the engineering position at your company. I had the pleasure of working with David for three years at our previous employer, and I can confidently say that he is one of the most talented and dedicated engineers I have ever worked with.
During his time at our company, David was responsible for designing and implementing several major projects that significantly improved our manufacturing processes. He is an excellent problem solver and a skilled communicator, and I believe he would be a valuable asset to your engineering team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Recommendation Letter for Human Resources Position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Samantha Gomez for the human resources position at your company. As Samantha’s supervisor for the past year, I have been consistently impressed with her professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence.
During her time at our company, Samantha was responsible for managing our employee benefits program and ensuring that all HR policies and procedures were followed. She is an excellent communicator and a skilled problem solver, and I believe she would be a valuable addition to your HR team.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Reference for IT Position
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to recommend Michael Chen for the IT position at your company. I had the pleasure of working with Michael for four years at our previous employer, and I can confidently say that he is one of the top IT professionals in the industry.
During his time at our company, Michael was responsible for managing our network infrastructure and ensuring that our systems were always up and running. He is an excellent problem solver and a skilled communicator, and I believe he would be a valuable asset to any IT team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Recommendation Letter for Executive Assistant
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Emily Davis for the executive assistant position at your company. As Emily’s supervisor for the past three years, I have been consistently impressed with her organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
During her time at our company, Emily was responsible for supporting our senior executives and managing their calendars, travel arrangements, and other administrative tasks. She is an excellent communicator and a skilled problem solver, and I believe she would be an asset to any organization.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a work recommendation letter?
A work recommendation letter should include an introduction that explains your relationship to the candidate, specific examples of the candidate’s skills and accomplishments, and a conclusion that summarizes your recommendation. Make sure to use concrete, measurable data whenever possible.
How should I format a work recommendation letter?
A work recommendation letter should be formatted like a professional business letter, with your contact information at the top, a greeting (such as “Dear Hiring Manager”), an introduction, a body that includes specific examples of the candidate’s skills and accomplishments, a conclusion, and a complimentary close (such as “Sincerely”).
How long should a work recommendation letter be?
A work recommendation letter should be one to two pages long, depending on the extent of your relationship with the candidate and the amount of detail you want to include.
What if I don’t feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter?
If you don’t feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter, it’s better to decline the request than to write a vague or insincere letter. Be honest with the candidate and explain that you don’t feel you can provide a strong recommendation.
Should I send a work recommendation letter via email or mail?
It’s generally best to send a work recommendation letter via email, as it allows the recipient to easily forward the letter to others. However, if you’re sending a hard copy of the letter, make sure to use professional-looking paper and an envelope.
How soon should I send a work recommendation letter?
You should aim to send a work recommendation letter as soon as possible after you receive the request, ideally within two weeks. This gives the recipient enough time to review your letter before making their decision.
Conclusion
A work recommendation letter can be a powerful tool in helping someone secure a new job or career opportunity. By following these tips and using our examples as a guide, you can write an effective recommendation letter that highlights the candidate’s skills and accomplishments and helps them stand out from the competition.