Q&A for How to Write a Letter of Recommendation

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  • Question
    How do I address a general letter of recommendation for an office intern?
    Community Answer
    "To whom it may concern," or "Dear Sir or Madam,".
  • Question
    Can anyone write a letter of recommendation?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you state how you know the person in the letter. You should also include the reasons why you feel qualified to recommend the person (such as, you may have known them for years, you have professional experience in the position they are seeking etc).
  • Question
    Can I write a letter of recommendation for a fellow employee who is leaving the company if the boss does not yet know the employee is leaving?
    Community Answer
    I don't see why not, as long as you believe your coworker is worthy of a recommendation. Your employer shouldn't have a problem with this, and it's really none of their business anyway.
  • Question
    How do I write a letter of recommendation to a university?
    Community Answer
    When writing a recommendation for a student, it is best to talk about the student's qualities and back them up with specific examples. Referrio is a great site to help you get professional recommendations.
  • Question
    Can a letter of recommendation be handwritten?
    Community Answer
    Yes, while typed recommendations have a professional appearance, letters that are handwritten show sincerity and dedication. Both are acceptable.
  • Question
    How do I write and send a letter via email?
    Community Answer
    If you have a scanner, put the letter in there and scan it. Make sure that it is connected to the computer and it is going to the right place. Once you do that, type up that email and attach the scanned letter to the email. You can also compose the letter using a word processor and then send it as an attachment.
  • Question
    Do I sign my name above or below my typed name?
    Community Answer
    Leave some space in between your closing ("Sincerely," "Best," etc.) and the printing of your name, and sign it in that space.
  • Question
    Do I need to design a letterhead for a recommendation letter, or I could just use my address?
    Community Answer
    You don't need to design a letterhead for a recommendation letter, just use your name, address and postal code.
  • Question
    When writing the salutation "To Whom It May Concern" on a letter of recommendation for a student, do I use a colon or a comma?
    Community Answer
    When addressing a letter “To Whom It May Concern,” the entire phrase is capitalized, followed by a colon. Leave a space in between the salutation and the beginning of the body of your letter.
  • Question
    What font is appropriate to use in a letter of recommendation? Times New Roman? Calibri?
    Dvortygirl
    Community Answer
    Choose any basic, businesslike font. Sans serif tends to be easier to read on computer screens. Don't use anything outlandish. It's important for what you're saying to stand out, not the letters themselves.
  • Question
    I put the date on the top, do I have to put my address?
    Dvortygirl
    Community Answer
    In a formal business letter formatted to be printed out on paper or to PDF, it's customary to put your address at the top. If the entire exchange is happening by email, a mailing address is not as necessary. In email, you could put your address below your signature or offer your email and phone number as contact information, instead. (The recipient's postal address is not necessary, especially if you're not mailing it.)
  • Question
    Is it okay to use the word "reservation" in this sentence? This recommendation is made without reservation and with full knowledge of his exceptional performances as a leader in and around his community.
    CageyCat
    Top Answerer
    Yes, your sentence is perfect, with proper use of the phrase, "without reservation". It means you have no hesitancy or second-guessing about the claims you've made about the person.
  • Question
    For sender information, do I include my home address or work address? Do I include a phone number? I am writing this for a nursing student I preceptor at work.
    Iris Rose
    Community Answer
    Include the work address and either the office phone number with your personal or department extension, or if you are comfortable, you could put your personal number (or both).
  • Question
    A reference asked me to write my own letter of recommendation for them to sign. How should I write it?
    Mzm555
    Top Answerer
    In this situation it sounds like you would state all your roles/ responsibilities/ achievements at the company you worked at where your reference was your manager. Their signature at the end would be verifying that the information you provided was true and correct. A reference letter directly written by them would probably be more beneficial, but in this case they simply may not have the time. Explain this to your new employer when you provide this letter of recommendation - it still has their signature so it will probably be accepted, but have another reference ready in case it isn't.
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