Examples of Recommendation Letters

What to Include in a Recommendation Letter

Identify Yourself

The recommendation letter should be written on company letterhead, since you are writing it as a representative of your company. Also indicate what position you hold with the company and how long you have been there.

Indicate Your Relationship to the Subject of the Letter

The next thing you want to cover in your letter of recommendation is what your relationship to the subject of the letter is:

• Are you that person's supervisor or a co-worker?
• How long have you been working with the person?

Describe the Individual

Include your overall impression of the person as an individual. This is the portion of the letter where you point out positive traits the subject possesses. Use descriptive words that illustrate personal traits, such as:

• Well-organized
• Self-motivated
• Productive
• Professional
• Trustworthy
• Dependable
• Diplomatic
• Honest

Describe the Individual's Work

Next describe the person's work habits. Be sure to include specific examples of situations where the individual performed well or accomplished something noteworthy for the company. If possible, include units of measurement, so the reader has a clear understanding of the person's accomplishments. For example, you may want to mention that the person increased sales by 10 percent over a specific time period or that they were the Employee of the Month for a certain number of months.

Examples of Recommendation Letters to Consider

Here are some examples of recommendation letters:

To Whom it May Concern:

Jane Doe was employed by ABC Company for a period of five years. I was her supervisor during the last four years of her employment.

During the time that Jane and I worked together, I found her to be very efficient and helpful. I could always count on Jane to pitch in where needed, often with very little notice.

During the time that Jane was employed by the Company, she completely reorganized our filing system. Both management and fellow employees have commented on how the updated filing system has made it easier to find documents when needed.

Jane would be a valuable addition to any company she chooses to join, and I have no hesitation in recommending her highly.

Sincerely,

Edward Jones

Another example of a recommendation letter reads as follows:

To Whom it May Concern

I am very pleased to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Roy Wallace. Roy was employed by our company as a sales representative from 2002-2007 and worked under my supervision during that time.

From the time that Roy started with the Company, I was impressed with his drive, determination, and tenaciousness. He was hired to introduce our products to a new marketplace, and I am pleased to say that Roy met or exceeded his sales quota each year he was with us.

Roy is a very talented sales representative and I have no hesitation about recommending him highly.

Sincerely,

James Smith Sales Manager

Other Tips for Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Here are some helpful tips for writing a letter of recommendation or reference:

• Be positive. This is not the time to mention any concerns you had about the person's performance.
• If you are having difficulty in writing the letter, ask the person to draft something for your review. You can make changes as appropriate before you sign it.
• In a situation where you don't feel that you can honestly recommend the person to a new employer, you can politely decline to write the letter.