A recommendation letter from a former employer is a valuable document that can help job seekers stand out from the competition. In this article, we’ll provide tips for writing a strong recommendation letter and share seven examples that can be customized and used as needed.
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A recommendation letter from a former employer is an important document that can help job seekers in their pursuit of a new job or career path. As a former employer, you have unique insights into your employee’s skills, experience, and work ethic, and your recommendation can provide valuable insights for potential employers. In this article, we’ll provide tips for writing a strong recommendation letter and share seven examples that can be edited and customized as needed.
Related Tips
Tips for Writing a Strong Recommendation Letter
1. Start by explaining your relationship with the employee and how long you worked together.
2. Use specific examples to highlight the employee’s skills and accomplishments.
3. Focus on the employee’s strengths and how they can be an asset to a potential employer.
4. Avoid cliches and generic statements, and be honest in your assessment of the employee.
5. Provide contact information so the potential employer can reach out for further information.
6. Proofread carefully before submitting the letter.
7. Customize the letter to match the job and industry the employee is applying for.
Examples
Recommendation Letter for Marketing Manager
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend John Smith for the position of Marketing Manager at your company. John worked for me as a Marketing Coordinator at XYZ Corporation for three years and consistently impressed me with his creativity, strategic thinking, and strong work ethic.
During his time at XYZ, John was responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for several key products. He consistently exceeded our expectations and helped us achieve record sales numbers. He is a team player and a natural leader, always willing to go above and beyond to help his colleagues succeed.
I believe that John would be an excellent fit for your company and would bring a great deal of value to your marketing team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Vice President of Marketing
XYZ Corporation
Recommendation Letter for Sales Associate
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am pleased to recommend Sarah Johnson for the position of Sales Associate at your company. Sarah worked for me as a sales representative at ABC Corporation for two years and consistently demonstrated a strong ability to build relationships with clients and close deals.
During her time at ABC, Sarah was responsible for generating leads, conducting sales presentations, and negotiating contracts. She consistently exceeded her sales targets and earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and clients alike.
I believe that Sarah would be an excellent addition to your sales team and would make a significant contribution to your company’s success. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Sales Manager
ABC Corporation
Recommendation Letter for Software Engineer
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Tom Nguyen for the position of Software Engineer at your company. Tom worked for me as a software developer at LMN Corporation for three years and consistently impressed me with his technical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively.
During his time at LMN, Tom was responsible for developing several key software applications that helped streamline our operations and improve our customer experience. He was a dedicated team member who was always willing to share his knowledge and help his colleagues succeed.
I believe that Tom would be an excellent fit for your company and would bring a great deal of value to your software development team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Director of Software Development
LMN Corporation
Recommendation Letter for Administrative Assistant
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am pleased to recommend Lisa Brown for the position of Administrative Assistant at your company. Lisa worked for me as an administrative assistant at PQR Corporation for two years and consistently demonstrated a strong ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize deadlines, and communicate effectively.
During her time at PQR, Lisa was responsible for managing calendars, scheduling appointments, and preparing reports. She was a dedicated and reliable team member who always went above and beyond to ensure that our office ran smoothly.
I believe that Lisa would be an excellent addition to your administrative team and would make a significant contribution to your company’s success. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Director of Administration
PQR Corporation
Recommendation Letter for Human Resources Manager
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Mary Johnson for the position of Human Resources Manager at your company. Mary worked for me as a Human Resources Generalist at RST Corporation for three years and consistently demonstrated a strong ability to manage employee relations, recruitment, and training and development initiatives.
During her time at RST, Mary was responsible for a variety of important HR functions, including employee onboarding, performance management, and benefits administration. She was a natural leader and demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
I believe that Mary would be an excellent fit for your company and would bring a great deal of value to your HR team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Vice President of Human Resources
RST Corporation
Recommendation Letter for Financial Analyst
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am pleased to recommend David Lee for the position of Financial Analyst at your company. David worked for me as a Financial Analyst at XYZ Corporation for two years and consistently demonstrated a strong ability to analyze financial data, develop forecasts, and identify trends.
During his time at XYZ, David was responsible for preparing financial reports, conducting financial analysis, and providing recommendations to senior leadership. He was a dedicated and detail-oriented team member who always delivered high-quality work.
I believe that David would be an excellent addition to your finance team and would make a significant contribution to your company’s success. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Director of Finance
XYZ Corporation
Recommendation Letter for Project Manager
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend Sarah Kim for the position of Project Manager at your company. Sarah worked for me as a Project Coordinator at ABC Corporation for three years and consistently demonstrated a strong ability to plan, execute, and monitor complex projects.
During her time at ABC, Sarah was responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously, developing project plans, and coordinating with stakeholders to ensure project success. She was a natural leader who motivated her team to achieve great results.
I believe that Sarah would be an excellent fit for your company and would bring a great deal of value to your project management team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Director of Project Management
ABC Corporation
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in a recommendation letter?
In a recommendation letter, you should include specific examples of the employee’s skills and accomplishments, an explanation of your relationship with the employee, and an assessment of their strengths and how they can be an asset to a potential employer. You should also provide your contact information so that potential employers can reach out for further information.
How long should a recommendation letter be?
A recommendation letter should be one to two pages long, with specific examples of the employee’s skills and accomplishments. It should be long enough to provide a comprehensive assessment of the employee, but not so long that it becomes repetitive or loses the reader’s attention.
How do I customize a recommendation letter for a specific job?
When customizing a recommendation letter for a specific job, you should review the job posting and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position. You can then focus on these skills and experience in your letter and provide specific examples of how the employee has demonstrated them in the past.
Do I need to use a specific format for a recommendation letter?
There is no specific format for a recommendation letter, but it should be written in a professional tone and include the necessary information, such as an explanation of your relationship with the employee and specific examples of their skills and accomplishments. You should also provide your contact information and sign the letter.
Can I refuse to write a recommendation letter?
While it is generally considered good professional etiquette to write a recommendation letter if asked, you are not obligated to do so. If you do not feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter for a particular employee, you can politely decline and explain your reasons for doing so.
Can I see a sample recommendation letter?
Yes. In this article, we provide seven examples of recommendation letters that can be customized and used as needed.
Conclusion
A recommendation letter from a former employer can be a valuable asset for job seekers, providing potential employers with insights into their skills, experience, and work ethic. By following the tips provided in this article and using the examples as a guide, employers can write strong and effective recommendation letters that will help their former employees stand out from the competition.