Letter Of Recommendation Sample

Looking for a letter of recommendation sample? In the world of email, texting and blogging, the more refined forms of communication, such as recommendation letter writing, are becoming a lost art. One key letterform is a letter of recommendation. You can be on either side of the formula, the one writing the letter recommending someone, or the one looking for a letter to recommend you for a job, college application, or other position. The following are strategies you can use and letter of recommendation samples from great websites.

When applying for a position at a place of employment or for a college application, a letter of recommendation will get you far in the eyes of the person considering you for the position. A letter of recommendation shows that not only does someone you know think highly of you, but also both of you took the time to get the letter. A good effort goes a long way to a good first impression. Therefore, finding the right person and getting the right letter written is a jumpstart.

When writing a letter of recommendation, several key issues need addressing. Consider the audience, consider the person in question, and use a strategy for writing a letter of recommendation that gets results.  

1. Consider the audience. A letter to a high-end college such as Yale or Berkeley will only consider the best of the best, and the letter needs to keep their formal style of writing in mind. However, if the letter is recommending a person for, say a volunteer position at a local charity, a less informal style of writing is preferred.
2. Consider the person the letter is about. Are they going for a law degree or for best singer at a local pageant? Write the letter with their style and background in mind. Give just enough evidence why they should be considered for the position, as the reader needs, no more, no less. Stop when you are not saying what needs to be said, and don’t ramble on. Short, sweet and to the point works wonders.
3. Use a strategy. Start the letter noting the best personal qualities the person possesses that relate to the position and follow through with examples in real life. If the person is a real enterprising person, don't just say it; Show it by what they have achieved.
4. Use the same style of speaking throughout. If you start formal, keep it formal. Likewise, don't piecemeal other people's letters together. Keep to the same tense and gender.
5. Don’t plagiarize or steal parts of other letters. Use only original wording that you have personally typed. Never copy and paste or emulate others' works. 
6. When looking for someone to write the letter for you, find someone in a key position themselves, preferably an old employer, someone you have worked with who is at the top in their company, or someone who has attended the college or is employed by the company that you are applying to. 
7. Make sure this person has a good command of English, with excellent grammar, spelling, punctuation, and writing skills. Always proofread their work, too.
8. Choose someone who has something good to say about you and who has recognition in the community. Even better is someone who also has a good rapport with the company or college you are sending the letter to.
9. Make sure the writing is tight, succinct, and doesn’t up-sell you needlessly. Do not include a lot of fluff or include information the employer or college application processor does not need to know.
10. Never lie or exaggerate in the letter of recommendation. Tell the truth that puts you in the best light.

Need an idea where to get started? There are some sample letters of recommendation in the references below. These are samples only, so find your own words when you sit down and write.