Letter of Recommendation | How to Write Letter of Recommendation? Format, Guidelines and Samples

Letter of Recommendation: What is a Letter of Recommendation? A letter of recommendation is a formal document that is usually part of a job or a college application. This letter is usually written by a teacher, former employer, or friend and adds weightage to a job or a college application.

Get Other Types of Letter Writing like Formal, Informal and Different Types of Letter Writing Samples.

Letter of Recommendation Contents

The contents of a typical letter of recommendation usually include the applicant’s merit in terms of academics and/or career. It also mentions notable achievements that might be relevant to the application and other positives. Some versions of this letter will also mention the applicant’s character, integrity and interpersonal skills.

Types of Recommendation Letter

Are There Various Types of Recommendation Letter?

A recommendation letter is usually of 3 types:

  • Recommendation Letter for employment purposes
  • Recommendation Letter for college/university Application
  • Recommendation Letter for character references

Get to Know How To Write a Recommendation Letter from here

Letter of Recommendation Guidelines

Following are a few tips and guidelines to be followed when writing a letter of recommendation

  • Ensure all conventions of formal letter writing are followed
  • Try to avoid jargons and slangs in the letter
  • Ensure that the subject line is unambiguous
  • The body of the letter must be very concise, detailing why you need an absence from school or work
  • If applicable, provide supporting documents, such as a doctor’s note
  • Proofread before sending the letter. Any grammatical errors must be eliminated.

Letter of Recommendation – Template / Format

Following is a commonly used template for a letter of recommendation

Letter of Recommendation – Template / Format

From,
(Name)
(Designation)
(Organisation Name)
(Address)

To,
(Name)
(Organisation Name)
(Address)

Dear (name),

Subject: (Be precise and to the point)

Body of the letter: (Explain how you know the applicant, state their academic, professional achievements if any. Also make sure to mention their character and personal traits). If you are the applicant’s previous employer, you also have the option to include why your employee left the position.

End the letter with a call-to-action line, reiterating that you endorse the applicant fully.

Complimentary Close
Name
Signature

Letter of Recommendation Template

Letter of Recommendation Sample

Following is a sample of a letter of recommendation. You can adopt the same format and modify the content according to your preferences.

Letter of Recommendation from the previous employer.

Letter of Recommendation Sample

Date: 26-01-2021

From,
Jarrod Caneat
Manager – Sales
Kingston Electronics
Delhi

To,
James Singer
Samsung Ltd.
Bangalore

Dear James,

Subject: (Applicant Name)’s Recommendation Letter

It is my pleasure to recommend Bernie Thomas for the position of Assistant Manager, Sales at Samsing Ltd.

I have worked with Bernie for 5 years as her reporting manager at Kingston Electronics. He has exceptional leadership skills and has a natural knack for rapport building. His product knowledge was also extensive and could easily address any queries that the customer had. With his excellent interpersonal skills, Bernie was able to convert 85% of our leads to sales.

Bernie has my highest recommendation for this position at your organisation. I endorse his skills and capabilities and also believe that he will make a strong addition to your workforce. If you have additional questions on this matter, feel free to contact me. Contact details added below.

Yours Sincerely
Jarrod Caneat
(Signature)

Letter of Recommendation Sample

FAQ’s on Letter of Recommendation

Question 1.
How do I write a Letter of Recommendation?

Answer:
A letter of recommendation is a formal document that is part of a job or a college application. This letter is usually written by the applicant’s teacher, professor, former employer, or even a friend. It must also follow the conventions of formal letter writing, be polite and professional in tone.

Question 2.
What are the contents of a letter of recommendation?

Answer:
A typical letter of recommendation includes the applicant’s achievements and merit in terms of academics and/or career. It also explains briefly the applicant’s character and integrity. The letter may also endorse the applicant’s skills and other positive aspects.

Question 3.
What are the types of recommendation letters?

Answer:
Recommendation Letter falls under one of the following types –  for character and integrity, employment purposes, and college/university application.

Visit APlusTopper to explore more examples of letters of Recommendation. Alternatively, you can also find helpful learning resources and study materials for your upcoming exams.