A step-by-step guide to writing a letter of recommendation with a downloadable template, various samples, and frequently asked questions.
By Toni Ross, Mar 15, 2024Toni Ross is the Senior Editor of Betterteam. Her interests include developing resources that help build and grow value-oriented, connected teams, both personal and professional.
A letter of recommendation is a letter where the author details and vouches for the capabilities, character traits, and overall quality of the person being recommended. The letter can be from a professional, employment, academic, or personal perspective.
A letter of recommendation differs from a reference letter in that it focuses more on specific abilities and skills, whereas a reference letter is an endorsement of a candidate's character and personality.
Letters of recommendation are most commonly used in the hiring process as part of the employment verification step where they are called an employment reference or job reference.
Download this free letter of recommendation template in MS Word format, and make it your own.
[Today’s Date]
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To Whom it May Concern],
I am writing to recommend [full name of the person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].
I have known [person you’re recommending] since [date] as [capacity in which you’ve known the person, i.e., “good friend,” “coworker,” etc.].
I have always known [person you’re recommending] to be [qualities the person has, such as “honest,” “loyal,” “hardworking”].
Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].
[Your Name + Signature]
Keep your letter of recommendation brief and to the point. The last thing anyone wants is a multi-page letter. The hiring manager or person receiving the letter will want to know who you are, how you know the applicant, and why you are recommending them.
[Today’s Date]
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To Whom it May Concern],
I am writing to recommend [full name of person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].
I have known [person you’re recommending] for [number of months or years] as a [friend, coach, neighbor, etc.].
From my experience, [person you’re recommending] is [qualities the person has, such as “honest,” “kind,” "easy to work with,” etc.].
One example of [his/her/their] character is when [he/she/they] was/were [something specific he/she/they did that showed character].
Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [person you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending the person for].
[Your Name + Signature]
[Today’s Date]
Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To Whom it May Concern],
I am writing to recommend [full name of student you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending them for].
I have known [Person you’re recommending] for [number of semesters, months or years]. [He/She/They] has been a student in my [list classes of your student has taken] classes. We’ve also worked on [any other projects you’ve worked on together].
I have always known [person you’re recommending] to be [qualities the student has, such as “a dedicated student,” “hardworking”].
I was especially impressed with [his/her/their] work on [specific task or project performed] where [he/she/they] was/were able to [something specific he/she/they accomplished].
Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [student you’re recommending] for [what you’re recommending the student for].
[Your Name + Signature]
Use this PDF template to create your own letter of recommendation.
