Sample Letters of Recommendation
Letter #1
[Date]
Name of Contact Person at New Company
Company Name
Address Line 1
Address 2
Regarding: Jane Jones
Dear [Contact Person]:
Jane Jones was employed by A-Z Fitness Centers as a Manager for over the past ten years. Because of a recent merger with another company, her position has been eliminated.
She is an excellent worker and has proven herself to be a willing and highly competent employee. She has been involved in many aspects of the business and I highly recommend her to fill any position that deals with the public. She has consistently demonstrated that she is well organized, energetic, and capable.
I have no doubt that Jane will be an asset to any group or organization in the public or private sector. I recommend her without reservation and would be happy to provide further information regarding her employment with us upon request.
Please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #2
[Date]
Company Name
Address Line 1
Address 2
Attn: Personnel
Regarding: Denise Jones
To Whom It May Concern:
I’ve known Denise Jones for approximately five years. During this time, I have worked with her on a variety of committees ranging from youth sports to school functions. I’ve found Ms. Jones to be honest and straightforward. She has demonstrated time and again that she is well organized, energetic, and capable.
I am pleased to let you know that Ms. Jones has volunteered within and given back to the community in more ways than anyone will ever know, all without being on anybody’s payroll. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ms. Jones will be a tremendous asset to any group or organization in the public or private sector. I recommend her without reservations.
If any further information is needed, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I can be reached Monday through Friday at (800) 555-1234.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #3
Date
(If address is unavailable or if you are writing a letter that will go to multiple potential employees, omit company name and address.)
Employment Review Committee:
I am pleased to recommend Jane Doe as a candidate for the position of office manager. Ms. Doe has been a capable manager in our Springfield office since 1995.
During her tenure there, Jane almost single-handedly doubled the revenue of her division. In 1997, she implemented a restructuring of the sales force, markedly increasing sales and reducing travel expenses. Her interpersonal skills and emphasis on efficiency has made Springfield our most productive branch. I regret that she has decided to leave us.
Ms. Doe has expressed her desire to move on to a position that affords her greater flexibility and growth potential. I enthusiastically recommend her for this position. If you have any questions I can answer about Ms. Doe's exceptional record with our company, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #4
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to recommend John Doe as an employee in your company. I have worked closely with him for more than five years as his supervisor and have found him extremely competent and enjoyable to work with. He is bright, innovative, and dependable. Among his many accomplishments, he suggested and developed a procedure that resulted in an annual savings of over $100,000. I am sorry to see him leave, although I wish him well in his future employment.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #5
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for John Doe, with whom I have had the pleasure to work for the past five years.
From the beginning, John has steadily moved upward in the company. He began as a programmer in our maintenance department, then soon graduated to a senior position in research and development, and now holds a supervisory position.
Throughout his employment with us, he has consistently displayed a remarkable ability to cope not only in high stress situations, but to actually thrive in them. Last year, when notified of a shortened deadline on an important project, he managed his team with confidence and efficiency, despite the time constraints. We were all surprised and grateful when he produced the completed project ahead of schedule.
I am sorry that John will soon leave us, but I know that this move is important to him for personal reasons. I give you my highest recommendation with confidence that John Doe will use his experience and abilities to serve you well.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #6
Date
Letter of Recommendation for Jane Doe (confidential)
To: Office of Graduate Admissions, Institute of Design
From: John Doe, Industrial Designer
I'm honored to recommend Jane Doe for admission to graduate studies at the Institute of Design. Since Jane will be visiting you soon, the following information should help introduce her as well as convey my wholehearted recommendation that she be admitted to your program.
I've worked with Jane closely for three years, during which time we have collaborated on many projects. Her role has been that of a consultant to our architectural firm. Jane and I have also conversed privately on theoretical and practical matters of style, aesthetics, and philosophies of design. I've always been impressed by her know-how. She uses good design principles in all her projects – from arboretums to documents.
The hallmark of Jane's character is her honesty. This is reflected in relationships and business transactions, as well as in integrity of thought. She approaches any analytical task with an exacting eye that is scientific, thorough, and meticulous. This is the kind of care and concern I mean by integrity of thought.
As a student of the humanities, Jane pursued a course of study that could serve as a model for any general education curriculum. She has not only studied Shakespeare, but mathematics as well.
Jane is one of the most pleasant persons you'll ever meet or work with. She is forthright, but neither intimidates nor intrudes. She is genuinely friendly as well as honest. You will also be impressed with her authentic and professional manner.
Jane Doe has my unqualified professional endorsement and my deep personal respect. Please feel free to call at any time if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #7
Describe the job:
John Doe and I have had the pleasure of working together since December 2001, when he was hired by our company to fill the role of Director of Operations. We were in strong need of a hands-on, process-oriented individual to oversee our day-to-day operations. John turned out to be just the man we needed.
Write a statement of results:
John implemented training, measurement, and efficiency procedures that significantly strengthened our overall production results. He works hard and demands significant performance from his subordinates, and will spend the time necessary to ensure that they are properly trained.
List best characteristic:
The characteristic that is most commendable in John is his desire to improve, not simply his projects or subordinates, but himself as well. We have a very different culture at Doe Corporation. As he realized the changes required to work effectively here, he went to work analyzing himself, seeking feedback and then making changes to his style, approach, and manner. I believe he was able to make significant improvements because of his commitment to do so. This and other valuable characteristics, combined with future potential, should be valuable to any organization interested in developing their staff members.
List other good qualities:
Lastly, John is a great motivator and mentor. The employees in our organization were always inspired and prepared to meet new challenges because of his motivational style of management. John is a natural born leader. He is confident and decisive. He makes everyone around him better and would be an excellent addition to any company.
Sincerely,
John Doe
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
Letter #8
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
(Here list general description of abilities)
I would give John Doe the highest recommendation for any management or director position. John is a true people builder who has worked hard to develop his skills as a Director of Training, while working for me when I served as the Executive Vice President of Operations here. His motivation and mentoring skills are some of the best I have seen in my experience in the industry. He would surely do wonders for your organization. Here are some of the accomplishments he has achieved at Doe Corporation:
(Here give more details of the person's accomplishments with your company))
* Directed all training for the operation, which included 22 call centers throughout the U.S.
* Helped prepare for the ISO Audit and Certifications.
* Successfully opened new call centers from the ground floor in four different states.
* Performed branch manager, supervisor, and training certifications and compiled operations manuals.
* Correlated the training and implementation of new client startups.
* Helped me to initiate the ground floor of my E-commerce company in which he performed many of the same duties that he did with me at Doe Corporation.
(In the conclusion, create an overview of the person's accomplishments, according to your experience)
John is absolutely one of the most dynamic and successful individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with. . If you give him the opportunity, I am confident he can offer valuable improvements in your company's procedures.
(Closing statement)
Please accept this recommendation and contact me if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
(Don't forget to personally sign the letter between the “Sincerely” and your typewritten name.)
------Document 8 ------
TEN STEPS FOR GIVING FEEDBACK
STEP 1. GET TO THE POINT.
The purpose for this meeting is . . .
I asked you here to discuss . . .
I want to spend some time discussing how you . . .
STEP 2. STATE WHY YOU ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.
I have a concern about . . .
A problem has occurred in . . .
STEP 3. DESCRIBE WHAT YOU KNOW.
I saw . . .
When I was told, I looked into the issue by . . .
STEP 4. DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONTINUED BEHAVIOR.
If this continues, then . . .
In looking at this situation as a customer would, it appears . . .
STEP 5. DESCRIBE HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW.
I am very concerned about . . .
I do not think it is right that . . .
I am upset that errors in the function keep occurring . . .
STEP 6. ENCOURAGE THE OTHER PARTY TO GIVE HIS OR HER SIDE OF THE STORY.
Now, that's what I know, but what is your view . . .
Is that the way you saw it?
OK, now what is your reaction?
STEP 7. ASK AS MANY QUESTIONS AS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE
SITUATION FROM THE OTHER PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE.
Well, how do you know that . . .
And then what happened?
If you did that, then why did . . .
STEP 8. DECIDE WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIONS MUST BE TAKEN AND WHEN, AND COMMUNICATE
THAT INFORMATION TO THE OTHER PARTY.
I need you to . . .
In the next meeting, as Point 4 in the agenda, you will . . .
STEP 9. SUMMARIZE THE CONVERSATION.
Let’s recap, you will . . .and I will . . .
STEP 10. FOLLOW UP.
I will contact you next . . .
------Document 9 ------
EMPLOYEE'S VACATION REQUEST
Club Location ________________________________ Date _____________________________
Vacation requested for ___________________________ _______________________________
Employees Name Date Employed
Vacation requested this year _____________________ to __________________________ incl.
Vacation taken last year from _____________________ to __________________________incl.
COMPLETE COLUMN BELOW APPLICABLE TO ABOVE EMPLOYEE
Contract and/or Hourly Rate Employee Fixed Salary Employee
1. Total weekly basic hours: _____ 1. Basic weekly salary: _____
2. Basic hourly rate: _____ 2. Total days/weeks requested: _____
3. Total hours vacation requested: _____ 3. Total vacation pay requested: _____
4. Total vacation pay requested: _____
Remarks: _____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: THIS REQUEST MUST BE SUBMITTED IN TRIPLICATE TO THE MANAGER AND FORWARDED TO THE MAIN OFFICE AT LEAST THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF VACATION STARTING DATE.
The original and a copy of the Vacation Request, if and when approved, will be returned to the club. The original is to be submitted to the Home Office Payroll Department with the Time Card for the week in which the vacation salary is to be paid. No vacation salaries will be paid unless supported by this request signed by the General Manager.
Approved: _______________________________________ Date ____________________
General Manager
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. One week paid after one year of employment.
2. Two weeks paid after three years of employment.
3. Money will not be substituted in lieu of taking vacation time.
------Document 10 ------