What Should Be Included in a Recommendation Letter

What Should Be Included in a Recommendation Letter Before we get into what should be included in a recommendation letter, lets explore different types of recommendation letters and take a look at who writes them, who reads them, and why theyre important.   Definition A recommendation letter is a type of letter that describes the qualifications, achievements, character, or capabilities of an individual. Recommendation letters are also known as: Letters of recommendationReference lettersJob referencesAcademic referencesCharacter referencesLetters of reference Who Writes Them People who write recommendation letters typically do so at the request of an individual who is applying for a job or a space in an academic program (like a college of business school degree program). Recommendation letters may also be written as character evidence for legal trials or other situations requiring investigation or assessment of a persons character. Who Reads Them People who read recommendation letters do so in hopes of learning more about the individual in question. For example, an employer may ask for a recommendation to learn more about a job applicants work ethic, social aptitude, past work responsibilities, and professional skills or achievements. Business school admissions committees, on the other hand, may read business school recommendations to assess a program applicants leadership potential, academic capability, work experience, or creative abilities. What Should Be Included There are three things that should be included in every recommendation letter: A paragraph or sentence explaining how you know the person you are writing about and the nature of your relationship with them.An honest evaluation of the persons characteristics, skills, capabilities, ethics, or accomplishments, preferably with specific examples.A statement or summary that explains why you would recommend the person you are writing about. 1. Nature of the Relationship The relationship of the letter writer and the person being recommended is important. Remember, the letter is meant to be an evaluation, so if the writer is not familiar with the person that they are writing about, they cant offer an honest or thorough evaluation. At the same time, the recommender shouldnt be  too  close or familiar with the person being recommended.  For example, mothers should not write job or academic recommendations for their children because mothers are essentially obligated to say nice things about their children. A simple sentence describing the relationship is a good way to start the letter. Lets look at a few examples: I have worked as Jans direct supervisor for the last five years.Eddie was in my AP English class last year.I was Jamals debate coach for three years.I met Amy three years ago at the community food bank where we both volunteer.   2. The Evaluation/Assessment The bulk of the recommendation letter should be an evaluation or assessment of the person you are recommending. The exact focus will depend on the purpose of the letter. For example, if you are writing about someones leadership experience, you should focus on their role as a leader, their leadership capability, and their achievements as a leader. If, on the other hand, you are writing about someones academic potential, you might want to offer examples of that persons academic achievements or examples that demonstrate their potential and passion for learning. The person who needs the recommendation can help direct content by explaining exactly what they need the recommendation for and what aspect of themselves or their experience should be evaluated. If you are the letter writer, make sure this purpose is clear to you before you begin writing the letter. If you are the person who needs a recommendation, consider writing up a short, bulleted list that explains why you need the recommendation and the subject of the assessment. 3. The Summary The end of a recommendation letter should summarize the reason why this particular individual is being recommended for a specific job or academic program. Keep the statement simple and direct. Rely on the earlier content in the letter and identify or summarize the reason why the individual is a good fit.