Search results
Apr 18, 2023 · Ask Nicely. Once you’ve made your wish list, call each of these people (or see them in person if you can) to ask if they’re willing to serve as a reference. Email only if you must—it’s much less personal, and also less immediate. If it’s been a while since you’ve spoken to a prospective reference, briefly remind him or her of who ...
- How to List References on a Resume (Dos and Don’ts) | The Muse
Most companies will ask for two or three references from a...
- How to List a Friend as a Reference (Plus, How to Ask Them!)
Reach out ahead of time: Don’t wait until the last minute to...
- How to List References on a Resume (Dos and Don’ts) | The Muse
- Overview
- What is a recommendation letter?
- How to recommend someone for a job
- Example recommendation letters
Some employers request letters of recommendation showing a candidate's character and qualifications to make sure they're a good fit for a job opening. A strong letter of recommendation could help someone begin or advance their career. Occasionally, a colleague, student or personal connection may ask you to recommend them for a new position. In this...
A recommendation letter is a written testimonial supporting a job candidate's character or work ethic. It contains examples or stories that highlight a candidate's skills. You can write a recommendation letter for multiple situations, including:
•Referring someone for a job
•Supporting a colleague for a promotion
•Recommending a student for a new role
1. Speak to the candidate before you write
It's helpful to set aside some time to talk with the person you are referring before you write a recommendation letter. You can meet in person, talk over the phone or ask for information in an email. Ask the candidate to tell you about the position and their qualifications. You can also request a copy of their resume if you'd like to see more about their experiences and skills.
2. Format your letter
Recommendation letters are formal written documents. Use an official letterhead if your school or company provides one. Try to write in a professional voice and follow the formal letter format, which includes: •Your name and address •The date •Your recipient's name and address •A formal salutation such as "Dear" •A formal sign-off such as "Sincerely" Read more: How To Write a Formal Letter
3. Introduce yourself and your position
Begin your letter with a brief introduction. Mention your job title, connection to the candidate and how long you've known them. By briefly showing how qualified you are, it can help your recommendation stand out to the recipient.
Recommendation letter for a colleague
This letter is an example you might use when recommending a colleague for a new role:Karina Elroy 123 Main St. Atlanta, Georgia, 30301December 5, 2020Kirsten Bridges Hiring Manager CreativeUnited 444 Elm Road Atlanta, Georgia, 30301Dear Ms. Bridges,It is my pleasure to recommend Norman Mullins for the position of senior graphic designer at CreativeUnited. I am a marketing manager at Daffodil Design, where I've worked with Norman for the last four years. As his team member, I have seen Norman's strong work ethic and artistic talents. I know he would be a great fit for the senior graphic designer role.Norman is one of the most determined professionals I've met. He consistently finished his projects early and with high client satisfaction rates. He asks for feedback from his peers and customers and constantly seeks to improve his work. He pushes himself to grow, and it's helped him become the talented designer he is.As I'm sure you will see in his portfolio, Norman is an extremely talented designer. His designs are beautiful, user-friendly and memorable. Last year, one of his logos won the Best Design of the Year Award out of over 1,000 local designers. That logo was part of a design campaign that Norman supervised. He redesigned all the graphics for our client, securing $60,000 of additional revenue in one year.Although I will miss him on our team, I know he'd excel in the senior graphic designer role at CreativeUnited. If you have further questions or want to hear more about Norman, you can reach me at 108-435-2426 or K.Elroy@email.com.Sincerely,Karina Elroy
Recommendation letter for a personal connection
There may be times you need to recommend a personal connection, such as an organization member or a close neighbor, for a role. Here is an example you can use to help you:Garrett Chavez Senior Volunteer Coordinator Boston Animal Shelter 333 Broadway St. Boston, Massachusets, 02101January 19, 2021Alicia Mitchell Director of Sales InterTech 987 Main Road Boston, Massachusets, 02101Dear Ms. Mitchell,It is my honor to recommend Taylor Osborne for the position of associate sales member at InterTech. With 15 years of experience as the volunteer coordinator for our local animal shelter, I've worked with many hardworking young professionals. Taylor stands out as one of the most thoughtful volunteers I've ever met. For the eight years I've known them, she has repeatedly impressed me with her excellent communication skills and attention to detail. I know she could bring these skills to InterTech and excel in the associate sales member position.Taylor has an outgoing and friendly personality that makes her a pleasure to work with. She communicates clearly and professionally and understands different personalities well. Each weekend, I'd see Taylor match families with their perfect pet. She articulates each step of the adoption process and consistently scores highly on customer response surveys because of her friendly personality. As soon as Taylor told me about the sales position, I knew she'd be perfect for the role.Taylor is also an incredibly careful volunteer with great attention to detail. She has planned many of our public events and managed our volunteer calendar. She brought care and organization into every project she started. These skills helped her win our Volunteer of the Year Award last year.As Taylor graduates college and begins her career, I am completely confident that she would bring her strong communication skills and work ethic to the associate sales position. Please reach out if you have any further questions. You can contact me at 123-644-3343 or Garrettchavez@email.comSincerely,Garrett Chavez
Recommendation letter for a promotion
Some companies require recommendation letters for promotions. You can use this letter to help you recommend a current colleague for a new position within your company:Morgan Thad Team Lead Engineering Division 8ABC GlobalProjectsFebruary 3, 2021Brendan Shah Human Resources Director ABC GlobalProjectsDear Mr. Shah,After working with Dylan Ilmi in the engineering department for the last five years, I fully support his candidacy for the project manager role. As his team leader, I have watched Dylan grow from his first internship with us to his current role as a developmental engineer. His problem-solving abilities, leadership skills and dedication make him an ideal fit for the project manager role.On our team, Dylan analyzes complex problems by developing new software and testing it regularly. He improved our internal software security, decreasing threats by 30% in one year. Last year, he began to work on our external software systems for clients. In only eight months, he produced a new software system that generated over $200,000 in revenue for a client.In addition to his excellent technical engineering skills, Dylan is ready for a leadership role. Over the last five years, he has grown into a valuable resource for his colleagues. He helps them whenever he can by answering questions and training new team members. He's incredibly dedicated to our company, working hard to ensure each project is successful. He has won our team's Employee of the Month nine times, and although we'll miss him in our department, I know he is ready for more responsibilities.I fully support Dylan's candidacy for the role of project manager. If you have further questions, you can reach me at 247-338-4467 or mthad@abcglobalprojectsemail.com.Sincerely,Morgan Thad
Oct 10, 2024 · Reach out ahead of time: Don’t wait until the last minute to ask your friend to be a reference. Give them enough time to decide whether they’re comfortable with the request and to prepare. Be specific in your request: Let your friend know what job you’re applying for and what the potential employer might ask them. You can say something ...
Reference letters for friends, often called Personal References or Personal Recommendations, are commonly used to strengthen your application.A personal recommendation, especially from a well-respected community member, can help you stay at the forefront of applicants, whether it’s for work, housing, educational advancement, or other opportunities.
Aug 17, 2024 · Here is a guide you can follow when writing a reference letter for a friend: 1. Determine whether you're qualified. Consider your relationship with the candidate and ask yourself whether you know the candidate's character well enough to write the letter. The employer could call you to ask follow-up questions, so comment on subjects you're ...
Jul 14, 2023 · 4 steps for asking a friend for a reference. Use this guide to learn how to ask your friend to be a reference for you: 1. Approach them. First, contact your friend about the possibility of writing you a reference or ask if they're interested in having you list them as a personal reference on an application. It's necessary to inform your friend ...
People also ask
Can you use a friend's recommendation letter for a job?
Should you ask a friend for a recommendation?
How do I recommend someone for a job?
Why do employers ask for a letter of recommendation?
What is a letter of recommendation for a friend?
How do I ask a friend to write a reference?
Dec 9, 2021 · When you ask your friend for a recommendation, sit down for a phone chat or coffee and offer some information about your professional background, your work ethic, and anything else you think they should know. Make sure to give a debriefing on all of your professional accomplishments and accolades. If they were to go put in a good word and HR ...
