Don’t Panic: Here’s How To Write a Letter of Recommendation
So, you’ve just been asked to write a recommendation letter. It might seem daunting to you because a recommendation letter can play a big role in whether someone gets a job, promotion, or other position they are seeking. But don’t worry, below we’re going to give you five easy steps to help you write a good recommendation letter.
Five Steps To Writing a Perfect Recommendation Letter–What To Include
The point of a recommendation letter is for someone other than yourself to highlight the attributes that make you an outstanding candidate for the open position.
Keep in mind that the person writing the letter should be a credible source that has experienced your professional or academic ethic first-hand. It’s not a good idea to have a friend or family member write your letter of recommendation—unless, of course, they were your former manager, supervisor, or professor.
A letter of recommendation is a type of formal letter. Once you include the heading and date, write an effective recommendation letter by following these five steps:
1. Introduce yourself.
The first paragraph of a recommendation letter is where you introduce yourself. State who you’re recommending and for what position. Establish how you know the candidate and include any personal, professional, or academic experience that helps establish your credibility.
2. Explain what makes the candidate a good fit.
After you’ve introduced yourself and established your relationship with the candidate, explain what makes the candidate worthy of the position they are applying for. For example, are they reliable, trustworthy, efficient, and eager to learn?
3. Include worthy examples and anecdotes that make the candidate stand out.
After highlighting their attributes, write examples or anecdotes that help elaborate on the candidate’s positive characteristics.
4. Closing statement and signature.
Bring the recommendation letter to a close by summarizing why you’re recommending the individual. Make sure to provide your contact information just they need to speak to you to obtain more information or ask questions.
Corbin Larue, MD.
5. Edit for spelling and grammar mistakes.
Remember, it’s important that you establish your trustworthiness. Remain factual—do not lie. Doing so may harm the candidate’s chances at receiving the position.
It’s also vital that you maintain credibility by checking for spelling and grammar mistakes. A letter that contains errors can weaken its validity. LanguageTool is a multilingual spelling and grammar checker that can correct various types of mistakes. It can also help improve your recommendation letter by rephrasing your sentences to be more formal. Try it today.