How to Write a Recommendation Letter (With an Example!)

How to Write a Recommendation Letter (With an Example)How to Write a Recommendation Letter (With an Example)It happens to many managers A former employee reaches out to you asking for a letter of recommendation. Depending on how well you worked with them - and the circumstances of their departure from your company - you might be able to write one quickly. Or it might require more time and consideration.And if this is new territory for you, you may be wondering whether you should even agree to write one. Either way, the questions that arise are the same What details and praise should you include? How should the recommendation letter be structured? Are there any pitfalls you should avoid?Writing a solid recommendation letter is a benefit for the job seeker, of course, but it can help you, as well. You get to deepen a professional relationship, which is helpful in any career.Here are six things to keep in mind if youve been asked to write one, along with a letter of recommendation tem plate for you to customize.1. Check the rulesDifferent organizations have different policies regarding writing recommendation letters for former employees. So, quntchen base with your human resources or legal department to make sure youre not breaking any rules by endorsing a rolle in writing.If your company doesnt allow a work-related reference letter, ask whether you could provide a written character reference - a recommendation on a personal level.2. Evaluate the requestCan you honestly recommend this person and endorse their skills to another employer in good faith? If the answer is yes, great. Proceed.But if you have misgivings about them, writing a letter isnt a smart idea, and you should decline. Recommending an underperformer can damage your professional reputation, as endorsing a subpar employee to another manager can reflect poorly on your judgment.If the employee welchesnt a superstar but still had several positive attributes, consider going ahead with the recommendation . In this case, focus on the particular skills or qualities that you can speak favorably of, and keep the compliments realistic and truthful.Examples of qualities to spotlightProfessional thoroughness and quality of work, capacity for creativity and innovation, productivity and efficiency, never stops learningPersonal adaptability, ability to take constructive criticism, rapport with colleagues, determination, work ethic, builds consensus, good sense of humor3. Research the positionIf you can honestly endorse the former employee and have clearance to do so, find out what kind of job theyre applying for. This way you can customize your letter for maximum effectiveness. The former worker should have given you the prospective employers anthroponym and the job posting. If not, ask them to send you the details. Read up on the company, the field its in and the job itself.Then use your research to inform what you should write. Are they moving into a different industry? If so, you could hig hlight some of the key skills that would transfer to the new position. If the role is a step up, you could vouch for their leadership skills. Highlight only the abilities and experiences that are relevant to the job in question.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER 4. Mention specificsA great recommendation letter is not just an all-encompassing endorsement of the candidate. You can write briefly about what a standout employee they were, but follow up with supporting evidence. Mention specific anecdotes and on-the-job examples that illustrate their technical abilities and soft skills. Hard numbers, if you have them, are good.Here are some recommendation letter examplesShe increased sales by 150 percent during her three-year tenure.He was promoted twice within 12 months due to outstanding customer service.She received five nominations from her peers for exemplifying the values of excellence.His proposed workflow shaved 10 minutes from the production line and saved the company almost $1 million a year.5. Avoid going overboardTheres a fine balance between complimenting and gushing. The persons skills and accomplishments should really sell themselves, with your letter of recommendation acting to solidify and confirm them.Using overly emotional or exaggerated language can come across as unprofessional and puts the reader off. Overstating a persons qualities and abilities also runs the risk of overpromising If the worker doesnt live up to your lofty appraisal, the new employer may feel duped - and blame you.Here are some examples of what to do and not doDo He was an impressive and valued staff member who completed his work with diligence, accuracy and speed.Dont She was the perfect employee I loved managing her Youve never seen anyone enter data that fast, and she never, ever makes mistakes6. Proofread before sendingNever let spelling or grammatical mistakes mar your recommendation letter. In addition to making you look bad, a typo-ridden document weakens your endorsement. I t shows that you put little time and care into the process. So pay attention to detail, and reread your letter several times before sending it off. In fact, its a good idea to write the letter, put it away for a few hours or overnight, then look at it again with fresh eyes.A letter of recommendation templateEvery endorsement you write will be unique to the person, the position theyre applying for and their potential new employer. But it can be helpful to have a general idea of what to include in such a document. Heres a recommendation letter template you can customizeRe Recommendation for NameDear Managers name,I am pleased to provide a recommendation letter for Name, who is applying for the role of position at Name of organization.Name was employed in the role of former job title at Name of your organization for a period of length of tenure, under my direct supervision as your job title.During her time at our company, Name demonstrated excellent people skills, leadership abilities, creative thinking and attention to detail. Her exceptional ideas and work ethic resulted in helping us secure seven new clients and a 125 percent increase in sales.On customer surveys, she consistently received 95 percent or higher positive feedback. Some of the comments include, She is an absolute pleasure to work with and Im very impressed by her extensive product knowledge.Name was a joy to supervise. She was a team player who worked well with everyone, from summer interns to our senior executives. In addition to her stellar verbal and written communication skills, she is an active listener who accepts feedback well.I believe Name would be an asset to any organization, and I can recommend her to your company without hesitation.Sincerely,Your nameYour job titleYour companys nameYour contact informationWith this letter of recommendation template, simply fill in the blanks, personalize it with examples of the persons strengths, proofread it and hit send. Then sit back and enjoy the feeling of helping a respected colleague take the next step in their career.