A letter of recommendation vouches for someone's skills, character, and fit — usually for a job, promotion, or academic program. The strongest letters are specific: they name concrete achievements and quantify impact rather than listing adjectives. If you've been asked to write one, ask the candidate for their resume and the role they're targeting so you can tailor it.
Dear [Recipient / Hiring Committee], It is my pleasure to recommend [Candidate Name] for [role / program]. As their [your relationship — e.g. manager] at [Company] for [duration], I had a direct view of their work. [Candidate] consistently [specific, quantified achievement — e.g. "led a project that cut processing time by 30%"]. Beyond results, they are [one or two character traits] — for example, [a brief illustrating story]. I recommend [Candidate] without reservation and am confident they will [expected contribution]. Please feel free to contact me at [email/phone] with any questions. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Title, Company]
Replace the text in [brackets] with your own details.
Dear Hiring Committee, It is my pleasure to recommend Priya Anand for the role of Senior Product Manager. As her manager at Northwind for three years, I worked with her closely. Priya led the relaunch of our billing platform, coordinating five teams and delivering two weeks early — the new flow lifted conversion by 22%. She combines sharp prioritization with rare calm under pressure; when a launch slipped, she rallocated the team and salvaged the timeline without drama. I recommend her without reservation. Please reach me at [email protected] with any questions. Sincerely, Jordan Lee VP Product, Northwind
To Whom It May Concern, I'm glad to recommend Marcus Bell, with whom I worked as a fellow engineer at Apex for two years. Marcus is the person teammates turn to when a problem is hard. He rebuilt our flaky deployment pipeline, cutting failed releases by 80%, and patiently mentored two juniors who now ship independently. He has my strong recommendation. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Best regards, Amelia Ross Staff Engineer, Apex
They overlap. A reference letter is often shorter and more general ("to whom it may concern"); a recommendation letter is usually addressed to a specific role or program and is more detailed.
Three to four paragraphs on a single page. Long enough to give two or three concrete examples, short enough to be read in full.
These letters help once you're in the running. Create an ATS-friendly resume and cover letter free with MyLiveCV.