{"id":8002,"date":"2019-07-01T09:43:30","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T09:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging-mondaycomblog.kinsta.cloud\/?p=8002"},"modified":"2024-12-02T13:55:23","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T13:55:23","slug":"write-winning-letter-recommendation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/monday.com\/blog\/productivity\/write-winning-letter-recommendation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to write a winning letter of recommendation"},"content":{"rendered":"

When someone is applying for grad school or a new job, a letter of recommendation can be more powerful than a great cover letter or a perfect resume<\/a>. Recruiters and schools often wait until the end of the review process to read letters, giving them real influence on the final decision.<\/p>\n

It means a lot when a former employer is willing to use their name and reputation to recommend someone. So schools and companies take letters seriously \u2013 and so should you if you\u2019re asked to write one. But what should you say to make a real impact? Here are some things to think about and include when you\u2019re writing a recommendation for a former employee:<\/p>\n

Get started<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Be sure you\u2019re comfortable writing the letter<\/h2>\n

Even though it\u2019s an honor to be asked to provide a letter of recommendation, you should only say yes if you feel comfortable advocating for that person. If you had very little exposure to them, or if your experience with them was less than positive, it\u2019s okay to politely decline.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am honored that you put your trust in me for such an important task as writing a letter of recommendation for you. Regrettably, I must decline your request as I believe that it would serve you better to select another colleague whose endorsement would truly benefit you.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

2. Find out what the person is applying for<\/h2>\n

Ask the applicant what kind of role they are applying for. A new job, an internship, or acceptance into a grad school program are all highly competitive, but they may all be looking for different skills and strengths. Having a description of the role or the admissions requirements will tell you which qualifications to brag about.<\/p>\n

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3. Use an enthusiastic tone<\/h2>\n

It would be easy to just confirm that you worked with a person and essentially had no problems with each other. But a letter of recommendation should make the reader feel that you really believe in the person, and that you\u2019re excited that they could have the chance to work with them.<\/p>\n

4. Tell the reader about your relationship with the applicant<\/h2>\n

In the body of the letter, tell a brief story about how you came to work with the applicant. This will put your relationship into context and help the reader see that your recommendation comes from real interaction with the applicant.<\/p>\n

5. Talk about what impressed you the most<\/h2>\n

Companies and schools don\u2019t just look for a list of skills; they want a person who will be a good fit and work well with their peers. This is where you can share the personal impression that was made on you, the stuff that goes beyond tactical experience. This is also a way to show that the applicant has areas for improvement and is not afraid to learn.<\/p>\n

6. Share some their skills & successes<\/h2>\n

Mention some of the applicant\u2019s key strengths and tie them to a situation when they delivered great results. Mention his\/her ability to work with colleagues<\/a> and form relationships. These are the kinds of wins that companies are looking for to know they will be getting their money\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n

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Get started<\/a><\/p>\n

7. Make a strong, positive closing recommendation<\/h2>\n

This is your final moment to make your recommendation clear, and convince the reader that they will be missing out if they don\u2019t hire or accept the applicant.<\/p>\n

8. Keep the letter brief<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s part of an application package and the reader wants to get to the point \u2013 would you recommend this person and why? Once you have made that point, your job is done.<\/p>\n

Be sure to use business letter format with a professional greeting and closing, using your formal title and contact information. Here\u2019s the breakdown:<\/p>\n