WRITING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

The Purpose: Letters of recommendation are intended to be positive and realistic evaluations of performance, competence, and capability. Do not be shy in communicating your strengths. Look at the following suggestions:

1. List strengths, talents and abilities The following are a list of different strengths you may want to highlight (although you may have others): Diligence Punctuality Leadership Reliability Responsibility Enthusiasm Creativity Independence Teamwork Organization

2. Highlight without bragging It is important to bring forward your most important assets, however, you need to do so in a tactful way. Make sure you focus on the most important points, and choose from the list the ones you can prove the most.

3. Choose most important Even if you think that all of the list apply to you, pick the most important ones for your current situation. This is not a long letter, therefore you have limited time and space to discuss your strengths. You want to pick the traits that best suit not only your personality, but the job itself.

4. Use professional vocabulary You need to write this as a formal letter. You want to avoid contractions, and use terminology that suits the content. Avoid vague terminology (things, stuff, like), and focus on the specifics of both the traits and the accomplishments.

5. Final product Don't handwrite the letter; type it. Handwriting a letter is a sign that you are not serious about the task and will reflect poorly on the applicant. Remember to use official letterhead, to sign the letter, and to include both complete contact information. When you have folded the letter and put it in an envelope, sign across the seal.  The length of letters of recommendation varies greatly, but five paragraphs is usually the minimum. On the same note, don't go overboard and churn out seven pages, even if you are highly enthusiastic about the candidate. Choose your content wisely, and remember that a concise letter is usually more effective than an overly verbose one.

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

1. Explain how you know the applicant and state your qualifications for writing the recommendation letter How long have you known the person and in what relationship or circumstance? Why should the reader be interested in your recommendation? How many other people of the applicant's caliber have you known, and why does the applicant stand out?

2. List the applicant's exceptional qualities and skills especially those that are specific to the applicant's field of interest or job requirements. For example, competency in his/her field or prior experience, organizational and communication skills, academic or other achievements, interaction with others, sound judgment, reliability, analytical ability, etc.

3. Emphasize key points that you want the reader to note on the applicant's resume or job application. Be sure to meaningfully elaborate, don't simply restate.

4. Give your judgment of the applicant, his/her qualifications and potential. Why should he/she be considered over other people? How does he/she compare to other people you have known? Do not state weaknesses. If you can't write a positive letter of recommendation, you should respectfully decline to write a letter of recommendation.

5. Give specific examples to back up what you have said about the person's qualifications and character. Remember, generalized praise is a waste of space.

6. Don't be too brief. One or two short paragraphs are death to a recommendation letter. On the other hand, be precise. Make every word count. Here is a rule of thumb: a letter of recommendation for employment should be one page; a letter of recommendation for school should be 1-2 pages.

7. Make the ending statement strong without overdoing it. Undue praise can be viewed as biased or insincere.

8. List your contact information if you are willing to field follow-up correspondence.

9. Proofread! The letter of recommendation represents both you and the applicant.