Job Recommendation Letter Format: How to Write a Recommendation Letter

A Letter of Recommendation is also known as “reference letter” or “recommendation letter”.
A reference letter is written by respected authorities, usually former employers, academic professors and on occasion personal acquaintances.

This letter is written as a testimony to another person’s meritorious character, skills and achievements.
Finally, it is addressed to another respected person or authority, such as a new prospective employer, college or a university.

This article guides on writing a recommendation letter for an employee.

Job Recommendation Letter Format: How to Write a Recommendation Letter for Employment

Any letter of recommendation is professional in tone. The professional recommendation letter format is basically that of a business letter:

1. Begin with a date and the recipient’s name and address.
2. Address the recipient formally, as Dear NAME (or Dear Sir/Madame if the name is unknown).
3. Identify yourself briefly at the very beginning and state your relationship to the applicant.
4. Identify the applicant. Provide detail which is relevant to the situation. For example, if they are applying for graduate studies at another university, identify them as graduate student of a department, with date of graduation and GPA.
5. Next, provide your assessment of the person: character, skills, and achievements. Be professional in tone. Be specific. Provide examples in another paragraph.
6. State if you are willing to provide further information regarding the person. Don’t forget your contact information here.
7. If you have the recipient’s name, close the letter with: Yours Sincerely”.

Job Recommendation Letter: the Format of A Recommendation Letter from Employers

Before you read the list of essential points, take a look at this basic job recommendation letter template:

Date
Dear Sir/Madame or Dear NAME
I confirm that I have known NAME for X years.
Nature of relationship (between the writer of the letter and the candidate)
I have found NAME to be consistently (give testimony of character, skill, and achievement specifics; state what is relevant)
Yours sincerely
[Name, Title, Company/Institution, Location]

How Not to write a Recommendation letter for job applications
There are some dont’s to follow:

• Do not use informal language, even if you are on familiar terms with the applicant.
• Make sure there are no spellings or grammar mistakes and that the writing is clear.
• Do not list the person’s weaknesses.
• Omit his/her irrelevant personal information.