5 Outstanding Recommendation Letter Samples (+ How to Write Your Own)

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Writing a recommendation letter for an employee or a coworker is a big responsibility, as your letter could make or break their job application. So how can you write an effective letter of recommendation that will impress a hiring manager?

This article will explain how to write a recommendation letter for a job.

Why are recommendation letters important?

Before diving into the recommendation letter samples, let’s consider what role recommendation letters play in the job application process. Why do hiring managers ask for letters of recommendation? What purpose do reference letters serve?

Powerfully advocate for the job seeker

Well for one, you can powerfully advocate for a candidate in your letter. By throwing your support behind them, the hiring manager will see that this person has successfully worked with a boss or colleague in the past.

Add personality to a job application

Your letter can also help personalize someone’s application. A hiring manager might read through lots of resumes, but your letter will help the candidate come to life by shedding light on their personality and work style.

Point out past achievements

By discussing specific achievements a candidate has made, you can also help prove the job seeker will make similar accomplishments in the future. They say past behavior points to future behavior, so sharing anecdotes in your letter will help the hiring manager see what the job seeker would be like if they got hired.

Help the job seeker get hired

If you write a generic, vague letter, it might not do much to sway a hiring manager’s opinion. Or it could easily be outshined by someone else’s letter of recommendation, where the writer took the time to get personal and specific.

But if you take the time to craft a strong, thoughtful letter, it could help push the job seeker’s candidacy over the edge and land them the job — or at least a job interview!

6 ways to make your letter of recommendation effective

Assuming you want to help the job seeker as much as you can, how can you craft a letter that will help their application stand out? Here are a few ways to make your letter of recommendation powerful.

1. Customize your letter to the job at hand

Just as a job seeker should customize their cover letter to each job they apply to, so too should you customize your letter of recommendation to the job at hand. If you send off a general letter without mentioning what job the candidate is applying for, it will look weak compared to one that was written specifically for the role.

Let’s say you’re recommending an employee who worked in marketing and is now going after a director role. If you simply describe what it was like to work with that employee, your letter will fall flat.

Instead, you should talk about why you’re recommending them to become a director; discuss what makes them ready to move into a managerial role.

In your letter, name the new job and company to show that you understand what job the candidate is applying for and wholeheartedly recommend them for the specific position. Remember, the hiring manager is looking for someone who would be a good fit; your letter can go a long way toward persuading them this is the person they’ve been looking for.

2. Use 2-3 specific examples

While calling the candidate motivated, accountable, or creative is all well and good, you want to back up these descriptors with actual examples. Let’s say you’re talking about how the candidate is great at creative problem-solving.

Choose a specific time when a problem came along and talk about how the candidate solved it. By providing two to three specific anecdotes, you can prove the candidate really has the qualities you say they do.

Plus, your letter will come to life, rather than simply being a repeat of what’s already on the candidate’s resume. If it’s just a list of titles and certifications, it doesn’t add anything extra to the application.

Since you worked with the candidate in the past, you can shed light on their past achievements. By identifying a few specific accomplishments, your recommendation letter will become even more valuable and convincing.

Bonus points in the accomplishments you highlight match up to a core competency of the job description. For instance, if the new role wants someone who takes initiative, choose a story where the candidate took initiative in the past.

3. Speak to the candidate before you write

Writing a letter of recommendation is a tall order, and you don’t have to do it all on your own. Before you sit down to write, speak with the job seeker about their plans.

Let them tell you what the new role is and why they’re excited about it. They might even share their cover letter and application materials, so you can make sure your letter complements the story they’re presenting in their application.

You might even ask the candidate to provide two to three specific anecdotes they’d like you to include in your letter. If you worked closely with this person, you can probably come up with these on your own.

But sitting down to chat will help you get insight into their goals and craft an effective letter.

4. Explain why your opinion matters

Let’s face it, a recommendation letter from someone’s mom isn’t going to hold as much weight as one from their manager. A hiring manager wants to see the letter comes from a reputable source who has worked closely with the candidate in the past.

So somewhere in the beginning of your letter, explain who you are and what makes you qualified to recommend this person. That way, your reader will understand where you’re coming from and know to take your opinion seriously.

5. Start with enthusiasm

Another good way to grab your reader’s attention is to start your letter with a strong statement of support. Some strong openers include,

• As Juan’s former manager at XYZ Company, it’s my great honor to recommend him for the role of…
• It’s my great pleasure to recommend Laura for the position of…

Although it’s easy to start with “I’m writing to recommend…,” that opener will look lukewarm next to something more powerful. So try to hook your reader with enthusiasm right away.

6. Format your letter correctly

Although some companies are more formal than others, it’s still important to format your letter in an official manner. Use official letterhead if possible, making sure to include your name, position, workplace, and contact information.

At the top, include the contact information for the hiring manager (see samples below). Address your letter to a specific person, if possible.

Your letter will probably be three to five short paragraphs with spaces in between, and it doesn’t have to be longer than a page.

At the end, invite the reader to follow up with you via email or phone for any further information.