A letter of recommendation is a personal reference document written from your perspective to boost your friend’s application for a job position, admission to a school, or membership in a private organization by providing insights into their attributes and traits.
It is recommended that you only write it for a friend well known to you. Possible relationships that may warrant writing it include:
- Co-volunteer
- A current or former classmate
- Long-time family friend
- Coach, mentor, or mentee
- Long-time neighbor
- A fellow club member or organization
- Business client or contact.
Over an extended period, these relationships help you develop a friendship with an individual. Hence, if approached to write them this letter, you will be in a position to write a heartfelt and honest letter.
When Can You Write to Your Friend?
You can write it for your friend under different conditions. The following are the conditions for you to write this letter for a friend:
- A personal recommendation letter (for court): You can write it to be used in a child custody case or DUI occurrence. This type should state your friend’s moral or mental qualities to a judge. You can also write this type of letter to be used in other courtroom settings, including criminal proceedings or appeal cases.
- A personal recommendation letter (for immigration): You can also write it to boost your friend’s immigration application. It aims to portray a positive perception of your friend by highlighting their positive traits.
Sample Letters and Templates
Pre-Writing Considerations
There are various considerations that you should make before writing it. The considerations made will help you decide whether you are qualified to write it for your friend.
These considerations include:
Accept only if you can provide a quality letter
It would be best if you started by considering how well you know your friend. If you have only known them for a few months, you will likely convey vague information to the recipient, negatively affecting your friend’s chances. The letter should be detailed in its description of the applicant. The longer and stronger the relationship is between you and your friend, the more authentic the recommendation is likely to come across to the recipient.
Ask for details about the job opening
Secondly, you must ask your friend for details concerning the job or position they are applying for. Seeking further information on the position will help you filter out irrelevant details and help you tailor the information to what the recipient needs to know about your friend concerning the position.
You risk writing a lengthy, inappropriately detailed letter when you are not well informed of the position and require for your friend to fill it. You can even conduct an inquiry into the company, organization, or institutional culture to ensure that you can demonstrate how your friend can contribute to it.
Ask your friend about goals
Lastly, you should consider including your friend’s career goals linked to the acquisition of the position. This information helps demonstrate that your friend is driven, focused, and capable of diligently performing their duties for their own benefit and for that of the company or organization they are applying for.
How to Write a Recommendation Letter for Your Friend
It could be all that stands between your friend and getting the position that they want. It is therefore critical that you ensure that the letter is well-formatted. Thus, when writing it for a friend, you should adhere to the following:
1) Salutation
First, it should start with a salutation to the recipient. For example, suppose you know the hiring manager by name, then you should address them directly, for example, Dear Mr. Parker or Dear Dr. Jane, etc. On the other hand, suppose you don’t know the recipient by name or the letter is to be sent to multiple recipients. In that case, you can address the letter “To whom It May Concern.”
2) Body Paragraphs
Secondly, the body of the letter should contain the following information:
2.1) Introduce yourself
You should start the body with a self-introduction explaining the relationship you share with the applicant and why you are qualified to recommend them. The following are examples of such a self-introduction:
EXAMPLE 1
I am pleased to recommend my childhood friend Alice Keen whom I have known for the last thirty years, for a position as a graphic designer at your company. I have watched Alice hone her skills as a designer for the last fourteen years.
EXAMPLE 2
I am greatly honored to recommend John Smith for a position in your writers’ training program. My friendship with John has lasted ten years. We started as copywriters for the Daily Mail and have been friends ever since.
EXAMPLE 3
I am delighted to recommend my friend and former classmate Ann Wellington to be a sales agent in your marketing firm. Ann and I studied together at the University of Saskatchewan for five years. At that time, we became close inseparable friends.
2.2) Mention skills and qualifications
You should follow up by explaining why your friend is qualified for the position. This can be achieved with a detailed description of their skills and qualifications. The skills and qualifications mentioned should be relevant to the position your friend is applying for. You can even demonstrate an event or setting when your friend demonstrates a particular exceptional skill. The following are examples of the skills and qualifications you can include in this letter to a friend:
EXAMPLE 1
Alice is hardworking and resilient. She has displayed exceptional time management and organizational skills. Her ability to create captivating and insightful designs has led to a demand for her work. This is especially true for the Lexan hair and body products, for which she is credited for designing the product logo. The logo is easily identified by their consumers and has contributed to the company’s positive image to this day.
EXAMPLE 2
John’s love for writing is evident in the passion he puts into his work. In addition, his excellent communication skills help him convey his message to his readers. One of the most touching short story articles he ever wrote was called ‘Jane and her red rose’ the story is about a young woman who does everything she can to stop her red rose from death. The story was inspired by the human desire to keep those we love alive even when we know death is inevitable. The story received exceptional reviews from his critics, who described it as a heartfelt short tail.
EXAMPLE 3
Ann is excellent at building rapport and problem-solving. As her friend and former classmate, I can vouch for her ability to get the job done no matter the obstacles that stand in her way. In school, no challenge was too great for her. She ensured that she got the job done and got it done the right way. In addition, Ann is excellent at communicating her message to people; she not only ensures she gets her message across, but she takes the time to listen and understand another person’s prospect.
2.3) Emphasize the progress
Next, you should strive to demonstrate the progress and further development you have observed in your friend during your relationship. This can be done by stating the steps your friend has taken to improve their skills and qualifications, such as degrees, certificates, or volunteer positions they have taken to improve their personal development.
EXAMPLE 1
Alice has improved her designs from simply working with regular shapes to creating elaborate illustrations that capture a person’s imagination. Having subscribed to her graphic design website in its early stages, I can personally attest to improvement in her creative work throughout the years.
EXAMPLE 2
John’s desire to improve his writing abilities led him to discover your exceptional writers’ training program. This program is in line with him taking a new step in his life as an independent writer.
2.4) Add the statement of recommendation
In this letter, you should then state why you believe your friend is the best candidate for the position. The following are examples of how this can be conveyed:
EXAMPLE 1
Alice’s experience as a freelance graphic designer over the years is why I highly recommend her for a position in your company. I believe she will be an excellent addition and that her skill will be put to great use working with you.
EXAMPLE 2
John’s love and passion as a writer and his desire to improve on his craft is the reason I wholeheartedly recommend him for your training program. I believe you can play a significant role in pushing his career forward.
EXAMPLE 3
I undoubtedly recommend Ann for a position at our marketing firm. I believe that she has so much she can contribute to its success through her passion, dedication, and hard work.
2.5) Include contact information
At the end of the body of the letter, you should provide your contact information should the recipient feel the need to contact you for further discussion about your friend’s qualifications. A phone number and email address you can reach would be enough for any questions or clarifications the recipient may have. For example:
EXAMPLE 1
For questions or clarifications, contact me at ABC@. eamil.com or555-555-555
EXAMPLE 2
Please feel free to contact me at 555-123-456 or xyz@email.com for any questions or clarifications you may need.
3) Closing
Finally, you, as a recommender, should conclude the letter of recommendation by signing it and stating your name and title (optional).
EXAMPLE 1
Sincerely,
(recommender’s signature)
Mathew Brown
EXAMPLE 2
Kind regards,
(recommender’s signature)
Dr. Brenda Lee
Editor, Milltown Publishers
Personal Recommendation Letter for a Friend (Template)
[RECOMMENDER’S NAME]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, ZIP CODE]
[DATE]
[RECIPIENT’S NAME]|
[RECIPIENT’S TITLE]
[COMPANY/INSTITUTION NAME]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, ZIP CODE]
DEAR [RECIPIENT’S NAME],
I am greatly honored to recommend my friend [applicant’s name] for a position at your organization as a [name of position]. He and I have been friends for fifteen years. [The applicant’s name] is hardworking and dedicated.
In the time I have known [applicant’s name], I have observed his [state the skill observed]. One such incident was when [provide an example that demonstrates the skill observed].
During the period I have known [applicant’s name], he has enrolled in various training programs in a bid to hone his skills to improve the quality of his work.
It’s for this reason that I wholeheartedly recommend [applicant’s name] for a position at your organization. I believe that his resilience and determination make him the best man for the job.
You are free to contact me with any questions or clarifications at [recommender’s contact information.
Sincerely,
[RECOMMENDER’S SIGNATURE]
[RECOMMENDER’S NAME]
How Should You Begin the Recommendation?
For your letter to be considered credible, you should establish how you met the person, for how long you’ve known them, and what opportunities you had to evaluate the kind of person they are. This should lead to sharing some of the positive qualities that would make this person an asset to the role they’re interested in having. You want to sit and think about it so that you can write something that will be sincere, specific, and helpful for describing your friend’s strengths.
What Should You Say in a Recommendation Letter for a Friend?
In describing your friend, specific anecdotes can be helpful, though you should be concise and summarize the most important points. You want to paint a picture of this that will be more personal and revealing than their resume. Such letters are important because they can help distinguish between multiple people who have similar qualities.
Ask yourself some questions, such as, What are my friend’s best qualities that will help them in this role? Do you know this person to be responsible? Is it their creativity that makes them stand out? Are there examples of when this person has helped others? Think of different possibilities and then write some ideas down. Expand on the ideas and then pick two to three as the focus of your letter.
What Makes for a Strong Recommendation Letter for a Friend?
You don’t have to be a professional writer to write a good letter of recommendation, but it’s important to proofread and write clearly. It should show you took the time and effort to write something thoughtful because this speaks well of both you and your friend.
The qualities you mention should relate to the position your friend is applying for to present a strong case for why they are a good candidate. It’s also a good idea to add your phone number to the letter and encourage them to call if they have any questions. While they may not call, it’s a nice touch that makes your letter stronger and more credible because it shows you want to support your friend.
What to Write and What Not to Include
The following are the things to be included in the letter:
- Focus on the particular job: Make sure to ask your friend for information on the job that they are applying for. This way, you will be able to focus on the specific requirements of the position.
- Please explain how you know the person: In the letter, make sure to explain how you know the person properly and for how long you have known them.
- Include specific examples: When writing the letter, provide specific examples to help bring out the applicant’s positive side.
- Remain positive: When writing it, state that you believe that they are the perfect candidate for the position. Emphasize this both at the beginning and at the end of the letter.
While writing this letter for a friend, you should avoid:
- Assuming that you already know about the job: Do not assume that you already know about the position they are applying for. Assuming that you know about the position that they are applying for is wrong.
- Writing a letter for someone you don’t know: Writing a letter for someone you don’t know very well or someone you don’t want to write to is wrong, as this may cost them their job.
- Providing lots of compliments but no specifics: If you don’t know the person well enough to provide specifics about them, then it is probably a good sign you shouldn’t write the letter to them in the first place.
- Being untrue: When you set high expectations for the skills of the person you are writing for, you are making promises they can’t keep. Avoid writing anything untrue in the letter to avoid setting them up for failure.
Following are samples and templates to help you understand the sentence structure better:
Personal recommendation letter for a friend (text version)
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am delighted to write this letter of recommendation for my close friend, Jane Smith, for the role of Environmental Analyst at GreenTech Innovations. My friendship with Jane spans over a decade, a bond that started during our college years studying Environmental Science together. Our shared passion for sustainable technology has kept us closely connected, both personally and professionally.
Jane’s expertise in environmental analysis is unparalleled. At GreenTech Innovations, a leader in sustainable technology, her skills would be invaluable. I recall a project we collaborated on, developing a sustainable water filtration system. Jane’s insights and innovative approach not only made the project a success but also demonstrated her commitment to practical and sustainable environmental solutions.
What truly sets Jane apart is her personal character, shaped by the values we both cherish in our friendship: integrity, perseverance, and a genuine concern for the global environment. Her ability to lead with compassion and collaborate with diverse teams stems from these qualities. In every project, she brings not only her technical expertise but also a unique perspective that encourages creative problem-solving.
In endorsing Jane for this position, I am confident that her blend of professional acumen and personal ethics aligns perfectly with the mission of GreenTech Innovations. Her presence on your team would not only enhance your projects with her expertise but also enrich your workplace culture with her vibrant and collaborative spirit.
Yours sincerely,
Joan Morton
Analysis
The recommendation letter is an effective example for anyone looking to write a similar letter, especially due to its clear structure, personalized content, and professional tone.
The letter follows a four-paragraph format, which is ideal for covering all necessary aspects without being too lengthy. Each paragraph has a distinct purpose, starting with an introduction of the relationship, followed by professional qualifications, personal attributes, and a conclusive endorsement.
The letter excels at personalizing content. The writer mentions specific projects, shared passions, and the unique qualities of the candidate. This approach makes the letter more credible and engaging, as it provides concrete examples of the candidate’s abilities and character. The writer maintains formality suitable for a job application but also adds a personal touch by reflecting on their long-standing friendship with the candidate. This blend of professionalism with personal insights is crucial in a recommendation letter, especially when the recommender is a friend.
Key elements to note for guidance:
- Clear Introduction: Establishes the writer’s relationship with the candidate and the purpose of the letter.
- Specific Examples: Details about projects and qualifications that make the candidate suitable for the specific role.
- Personal Qualities: Highlights how personal attributes complement professional skills, a critical aspect when the recommender is a friend.
- Strong Conclusion: Ends with a confident and strong endorsement, reinforcing the candidate’s suitability for the role.
Professional Writing Tips
Writing it can seem like a daunting task; however, there are various tips you can use to ensure that you write an efficient letter. These tips include the following:
- Address properly: It should adequately address the recipient. Addressing the hiring manager directly helps make the letter more personalized. However, if there are multiple recipients, you can address it ‘To whom it may concern.
- Make it concise: It should also be brief, simple, and straight to the point. The recipient of the recommendation letter is likely to be busy given the number of applications they have received. A lengthy letter can discourage the recipient from even reading it; hence, a two- or three-paragraph letter is recommended.
- Remain positive: You should ensure that the letter conveys a positive message. Avoid any negative details concerning your friend, as this can defeat the whole purpose of writing the letter of recommendation.
- Use business official format: You should ensure that it is written in the official business format. This will help shape a reliable perception of the face value of the recommendation letter. Using the official business format will also ensure a consistent flow in the letter.
- Focus on one to two traits: You should focus on one or two traits that qualify your friend for the job. Focusing on these few traits should help keep the information relevant. Examples demonstrating your friend’s qualities and skills should focus on the traits you’ve already provided.
- Follow submission requirements: You should ask your friend about how the letter is to be submitted to the recipient. For example, some organizations may exclusively request submission via email, while others may request mailing it or personal hand delivery by the applicant.
Conclusion
This letter of recommendation can help strengthen a weak resume, especially for applicants with no work experience. A friend who is well known to the applicant can provide vital information on their attributes. Before you agree to write it for a friend, you should consider the type of relationship you share with them and the period of time you have known them.
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