If you attach a separate letter to a form, a letterhead is still appropriate. Date the letter two or so spaces beneath the letterhead at the left or right margin. Get the student to give you an actual name if possible.
Font sizes of between 10 and 12 and standard publishing fonts such as Times New Roman and Century are preferred. The convention is to single-space your type, skip lines between each paragraph, and either consistently choose no indentation for paragraphs or indent each paragraph one-half inch.
Preferably, keep your paragraphs reasonably short to enhance readability. For most circumstances, three to five paragraphs per page seems to be standard, but bulkier paragraphs are possible if introduced with sound topic sentences and with effective transitions imbedded. Your title connects you to the student directly and affirms your credibility and affiliation. A survey from the National Association for College Admission Counseling showed that letters from counselors and teachers were weighted more heavily in the college admissions process than class rank or extracurricular activities.
In a job search, a letter of recommendation can provide more information—and more a more positive impression—than simply providing a list of references for a potential employer to call. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to write these letters.
A recommendation letter should include information on who you are, your connection with the person you are recommending, why they are qualified, and the specific skills they have. Whenever possible, it's helpful to provide specific anecdotes and examples that illustrate your support. For example, rather than simply stating that a candidate is a strong writer, mention that they wrote a prize-winning essay.
If someone has achieved awards or special recognition for their accomplishments, mention it. When writing a specific letter referring a candidate for a particular job opening, the recommendation letter should include information on how the candidate's skills match the position they are applying for.
Ask for a copy of the job posting and a copy of the person's resume, so you can target your recommendation letter accordingly. Try to use keywords from the job listing in your recommendation. The letter should include your contact information for follow-up. Finally, be prepared to answer questions about your endorsement of the candidate.
This recommendation letter template shows the format of a typical letter of recommendation , with details on what to include in each paragraph of your letter. Salutation If you are writing a personal recommendation letter , include a salutation Dear Dr.
Williams, Dear Ms. Miller, etc. If you are writing a general letter, say " To Whom it May Concern " or simply don't include a salutation. Paragraph 1 — Introduction The first paragraph of the recommendation letter explains the purpose of the letter, as well as your connection to the person you are recommending, including how you know them, and for how long. Paragraph 2 — Details The second paragraph of the recommendation letter contains specific information on the person you are writing about, including why they are qualified, and what they can contribute.
If necessary, use more than one paragraph to provide details. Paragraph 3 — Summary This section of the recommendation letter contains a brief summary of why you are recommending the person. State that you "highly recommend" the person or that you "recommend without reservation" or something similar. Paragraph 4 — Conclusion The concluding paragraph of the recommendation letter contains an offer to provide more information.
You can include a phone number within this paragraph. Another option is to include a phone number and email address in the return address section or signature of the letter. Letter Closing Finish up your letter with a formal letter closing and your name and title. If you are mailing a hard copy of the letter, include your signature underneath your typed name:. Recommendation Letter Format 1. Introduction and statement of recommendation 2. List of specific reasons you are recommending them to the position 3.
Personal story with evidence of their qualities soft and hard skills 4. Closing statement with contact information 5. An honest recommendation provides the recipient with a personalized account of your experiences with the applicant. You should have at least some knowledge of how the candidate acts and performs in a work environment.
Consider the following before you accept a request for a recommendation:. Can you provide positive feedback about this individual? If you do not have enough experience with or positive stories to tell about the applicant, let them know quickly and respectfully that you are unable to meet the request. This way they have plenty of time to find an alternative solution.
At some point, you may need to ask someone to write a recommendation letter for you. Consider asking former managers, colleagues, teachers, mentors, clients or vendors for a letter of recommendation. Whoever you decide to ask, speak with them first about your request, then send a formal email with more details.
Include your resume, the job description, submission details and a requested deadline. This can help lessen their workload and could even make them more likely to agree to your request. Try to ask at least two weeks before the letter is due to give ample time to complete your recommendation letter, as they may be working on multiple letters concurrently. This is especially the case for professors. Read more: Asking for a Letter of Recommendation.
Your letter of recommendation should include five items:. A signature that includes your name and contact information. You can use their resume to get a full understanding of their experiences and achievements. You should review the job description to understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Use the description to decide what you should include from their resume and your personal experiences working with them.
Follow the request instructions. Ask the candidate how you should submit your letter. Strictly follow the instructions and deadline request to avoid negatively affecting their application status.
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