Letter of Recommendation Information
Alternate Names:
A Letter of Recommendation is also known as a/an:
- Reference Letter
- Employment Reference Letter
- Personal Reference Letter
- Academic Reference Letter
- Character Reference Letter
What is a Letter of Recommendation?
A Letter of Recommendation is a document that describes why a person is a suitable candidate for a particular application.
With LawDepot's customizable Letter of Recommendation template, you can keep a consistent format for all of your reference letters.
When should you use a Letter of Recommendation?
You can use a reference letter template when you need to give or receive a reference.
LawDepot's template allows you to choose between three different types of references:
- Professional: used for employment opportunities, like a new job
- Academic: used for educational opportunities, like a scholarship or college application
- Personal: used for personal opportunities, like a rental or immigration application
What do you write in a Letter of Recommendation?
A reference letter is a detailed account of a person's character, which can include descriptions of qualifications, skills, and personality traits. It should identify at least one of the candidate's best skills or traits and provide an example of a time the candidate demonstrated this skill.
Aside from describing the candidate, you should also include:
- How you know the candidate
- How long you've known them for
- Your contact information
A reference letter should be clear, concise, and only include information that is relevant to a specific purpose. It is typically no more than a page long.
Who can write a Letter of Recommendation?
While anyone can write a reference, the best person is someone who can speak about your quality of work and personal character.
It's likely this person has known you for an extended period of time and can provide clear examples of your qualifications and achievements. However, you should avoid obtaining a reference from anyone who could be considered biased, such as a family member.
A professional reference can come from someone who worked with you, such as a:
- Client
- Co-worker
- Current or former employer
- Fellow volunteer
An academic reference can come from someone who was a mentor to you, such as a:
- Academic advisor
- Coach
- Professor
- Tutor
A personal reference can come from anyone who knows you well and is commonly used in situations that require a character reference, such as a:
- Child custody hearing
- Court appearance
- Job where ethics and morals play a large role (like with senior care)
- Lanlord or tenant application
Related Documents:
