How to Write Reference Letters
From time to time, your friends, relatives, and business associates will need you to write character references, letters of recommendation, introductions to business colleagues, reference letters to college admission boards and committees, and nominations for awards.
Writing that letter or email puts your friend, family member, or colleague in the limelight—and banks a favor for your own future. So don't let that task of phrasing a great letter keep you from helping someone in these situations.
- Get to the point immediately. Introduce or recommend the person in the first sentence or paragraph.
Examples:
"I'm writing to introduce a former student of mine—Hannah Hoover.""After I returned from our luncheon the other day and mulled over your mention of a marketing director, Bryan Kilrover's name popped into mind as the perfect person to fill that vacancy. Let me introduce him via this email." - Overview the person's association with you: In what capacity did you know this individual? How have you become aware of his or her skills, talent, character traits, contributions, or success?
Examples:
"Cary's flexible attitude in a fast-changing office work environment would certainly come in handy in dealing with demands of an association membership in your industry.""Because of your organization depends on the fund-raising efforts of its members, I know that Ming would be willing to access her network of colleagues and friends to tap into their resources." - Avoid making exaggerated claims that will sound insincere and may set both parties up for disappointment.
- Close by expressing confidence that any future association between the reader and your friend, family member, or colleague will be mutually rewarding.
Examples:
"I feel certain that you'll profit from any conversations; you are both so well versed on the subject.""I'm very confident that Michael will become an outstanding student at your university.""Dominick, if he should win this award, will bring great distinction to your organization for having recognized his talents."
With writing reference letters or letters of recommendation, you'll have a unique chance to do a favor for two people—with only a few strokes on your keyboard and a few minutes' time.
If you'd like to make the reference letter writing process even easier, we can help even more. If you still can't find the right words for that special reference letter, try our professionally written package of ready-to-go recommendation letters.
You'll find letters for these special situations:
Types of Reference Letters or Recommendation Letters
- Supplying References for Students
- Supplying References for Graduate School
- Supplying References for Employees—Suitable
- Supplying References for Employees—Unsuitable
- Supplying Character References for Friends
- Introducing Relative to Potential Employer
- Nominating Candidate for Award/Recognition
- Recommending Guest Speaker
- Recommending Tenure
- Requesting Job References
- Requesting Personal Character References
- Declining to Supply Character Reference
- Declining to Supply Job References
- Declining to Make an Introduction
How to Use This Reference Letter Package
You have two choices. Either...
1. Download the PDF package and select the reference letter you need. Then copy and paste it into Microsoft Word or any other word processor. Send it out.
2. Read samples to "get the flavor" of what the reference letter or recommendation letter should say. Then "pick and choose" sentences you like to use in composing your own letter of reference.
14-Day, No-Risk Guarantee!
Total Number of Sample Reference Letters: 35
Total Number of Situations/Topics: 20
For help with other letter writing tasks, check out these packages:
How to Write Apology Letters and Notes
How to Write Sympathy Letters and Notes
How to Write Thank You Letters and Notes
Successful Sales and Marketing Letters
Special Bonus!
Bonus eBook: Write to the Point by Dianna Booher
This 48-page eBook contains 44 tips to help you write clear, concise, complete documents quickly—and get the action you intend.
If you need a reference letter quickly to do a favor for a friend or associate,... and you want to get the words just right without wasting valuable time, let us help you!
