Recommendation letter

How to use this template

Replace every [blue bracketed text] with your own details, then delete the title above, this box, the divider and the checklist at the end, so only the letter remains. Keep the letter to one page.

[Your full name]

[Your title] · [School, company or organization]

[Email] · [Phone]

[Month DD, YYYY]

[Recipient's name and title, or the committee's name, e.g. Graduate Admissions Committee]

[Organization or program] · [City, State]

Re: Recommendation for [Candidate's full name], [position, program or award]

Dear [Recipient's name, or Members of the Committee],

I am writing to recommend [Candidate's full name] for [the exact position, program or award]. I have known [first name] for [how long] as [your relationship: their teacher in…, their manager at…, a colleague on…]. [Your verdict in one sentence, e.g. “She is the most careful analyst I have hired in eight years.”]

[Story 1, for the quality this reader cares about most. Set the scene in one sentence, say what [first name] did, and say what changed because of it. A number, a date or a project name makes it believable.]

[Story 2, a second quality shown in a different situation: a setback handled well, a skill beyond the obvious one, how they treat the people around them. Use only what you saw yourself.]

[Comparison: where [first name] ranks among the people you have taught, managed or worked with, and how many that is. “One of the three strongest of about 150 students I have taught in chemistry” tells the reader more than “excellent.”]

I recommend [first name] [without reservation / with enthusiasm] for [position, program or award]. [One sentence on what they will bring to this particular place.] I am glad to answer questions at [email] or [phone].

Sincerely,

[Handwritten or scanned signature, if the letter is printed or sent as a signed PDF]

[Your full name]

[Your title], [School, company or organization]

Before you send

  • Every bracket is replaced and the blue colour is removed

  • The candidate's name and the position are spelled correctly throughout

  • Each story comes from something you saw yourself; add numbers or dates only where they are accurate

  • Add a comparison only if you can honestly support it; otherwise describe their standing in your own words

  • The letter fits on one page and the deadline is met