How to Write a Good Letter of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are a good way for employers and leaders to determine your qualities. There are a few things that everyone should keep in mind when writing these letters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know what the recommendation is for. Many times, the letters will be for one specific opportunity. Get as much information about that opportunity as you can. This will help tailor the letter to the opportunity.

2. State familiarity with the person. This should include the amount of time you've known the person and in what capacity. If you were the person's professor, let the reader know what class(es) you taught them and how well they did.

3. Share three to four qualities you feel the person reading it should know. This can include things such as work ethic, leadership skills, adaptability and citizenship. Have the qualities that you choose be ones that you are familiar with when it comes to the recommended person.

4. Give examples. This will help demonstrate the qualities that you listed. If you mention a person's work ethic or responsibility, let the reader know how you know this about the recommended person.

5. Include any clubs or organizations the recommended person is involved in. This can give an example of how well the person gets along with others. Also, the type of work and length of time spent in the organization can work to their advantage. It shows the level of commitment that the employer is looking for.

6. Conclude with how the person will fit in with the environment. Once you know what the opportunity is and add the qualities, let the reader know how that will benefit them. If there is no reason to include the recommended person in that capacity, their application won't be considered.

7. Leave additional contact information. There will be many times that the reader will want to contact you to verify the information or to have you expand upon the information in your letter. Also, when you add this information, the reader will feel that you truly believe in the recommended person enough to spend more time trying to boost their credentials.

8. Give the recommended person a chance to read the letter. They can catch any mistakes with grammar and spelling. Also, they can help you with the information concerning themselves. It is important not to have misleading information.

Tips & Warnings

• Have someone else read the letter to catch any mistakes.
• Only write letters of recommendation for those that you believe deserve it. If you don't think that a person is qualified or will be good for the opportunity, don't be afraid to decline.
• Sometimes a specific opportunity will have certain criteria. Check with the person you're writing the letter for to see if this is the case.