Introduction
As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, recommendation letters have become more important than ever. Whether you’re applying for graduate school or a job, having a strong recommendation letter can make you stand out from the crowd. But for the person writing the letter, the task can be daunting. How do you strike the right tone? What information should you include? In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to writing an effective recommendation letter – one that will help your candidate get to the top of the pile.
Step-by-Step Guide
The first step in writing a great recommendation letter is to get as much information as possible about the candidate. This could include their resume, transcripts, and any relevant work samples. You should also ask the candidate if there is anything specific they would like you to highlight in the letter. Once you have this information, you can start drafting the letter.
Begin by introducing yourself and your relationship to the candidate. This could be as simple as saying “I have had the pleasure of working with Jane for the past two years as her supervisor at XYZ Company.”
Next, describe the candidate’s strengths and accomplishments. Be as specific as possible here. Instead of saying “Jane is a hard worker,” say “Jane consistently put in long hours to meet deadlines and was always willing to take on additional tasks.” Use concrete examples to illustrate your points.
Finally, summarize the candidate’s qualifications and why you think they would be a good fit for the position they are applying for.
The Dos and Don’ts of Recommendation Letter Writing
While there are no hard and fast rules to writing recommendation letters, there are some good practices to follow and mistakes to avoid.
Do be specific about the candidate’s strengths. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
Do highlight relevant accomplishments. Talk about projects the candidate has worked on and how they contributed to their success.
Don’t use generic language without specific examples. Statements like “Jane is a great worker” don’t provide any concrete information about the candidate’s strengths.
Don’t exaggerate or be dishonest. You don’t want to give the impression that you are being insincere or that you are covering up any weaknesses.
Genre-Specific Recommendations
Different types of recommendation letters have different guidelines. Here are some pointers for writing letters for grad school applications and job applications.
Grad school applications: When writing recommendation letters for grad school applications, focus on the candidate’s academic abilities and potential. Talk about their grades, their research abilities, and any other relevant academic achievements.
Job applications: When writing recommendation letters for job applications, focus on the candidate’s work experience and skills. Talk about specific projects they have worked on, and how they demonstrated leadership and teamwork.
Identifying Key Qualities
When writing a recommendation letter, it’s important to evaluate the candidate’s work and identify key qualities that make them stand out. Some things to consider include:
Work ethic: Talk about how hard the candidate works and how they go above and beyond to get the job done.
Leadership and teamwork: Give specific examples of times when the candidate showed leadership or worked well in a team.
Character: Share any personal anecdotes that showcase the candidate’s character or personality.
Templates and Samples
If you’re still struggling to write a recommendation letter, there are many templates and sample letters available online. However, it’s important to customize the letter for the candidate at hand. Use the templates as a starting point, but be sure to add your own personal touch to make the letter unique.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
When writing a recommendation letter, there are some common mistakes that people make. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
Not spending enough time on the letter: A rushed or half-hearted recommendation letter can do more harm than good.
Not proofreading: Grammatical errors and typos can detract from the candidate’s strengths and make you appear careless.
Not being honest: Exaggerating or being dishonest about the candidate’s strengths can hurt both the candidate and your own reputation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, writing a recommendation letter doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these tips and guidelines, you can write a letter that showcases the candidate’s strengths and helps them stand out from the competition. Remember to be specific, highlight relevant accomplishments, and be honest. With a little effort, you can write an effective and compelling recommendation letter that truly helps your candidate succeed.