Picture this. You receive an email from a former employee or student asking for a letter of recommendation. You feel flattered, but quickly realise you don’t know exactly where to begin. Vouching for someone sounds simple enough, but what are the best steps to take?

Recommendation letters can help someone stand out in their job or university application. It’s a chance to shout about their work ethic, character and potential, giving the applicant an edge over their competition.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a letter of recommendation and the essential elements to include. Give the applicant a chance for success with Adobe Express.

What is a letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a formal way to endorse someone based on their personal character, work or academic capabilities.

Many companies and academic institutions use a recommendation letter to gain insight into the applicant’s personal qualities. That’s why it’s such an important tool.

Recommendation letters can be written by:

• a teacher
• a coach
• a mentor
• an employer
• a professor.

While you might be thrilled at the recommendation request, it’s important to work out whether you’re the right person to provide this information.

Before you accept a request for a recommendation, you may want to consider the following:

• Have you worked with or directly observed the applicant?
• Do you know relevant skills and strengths to elaborate on?
• Can you provide positive feedback about the applicant?
• Do you have specific examples of the individual’s work?

If the answer to all of these is yes, then you’re the perfect candidate to create a strong, professional letter.

Examples of recommendation letters.

What to include in a letter of recommendation.

Recommendation letters go beyond saying the applicant is great for the role. Instead, you need to highlight their skills and achievements, and include any examples to support their suitability.

It’s best practice to include:

• A brief introduction. State who you are, your personal experience or expertise, and your relationship with the applicant.
• A summary of the applicant. Outline the individual’s strengths as you’ve experienced them and as they relate to the recipient.
• A personal story. Here is where you apply the applicant’s strengths and abilities through a personal anecdote. Aim for one or two traits.
• Reasons for your recommendation. Summarise why the applicant you’re recommending would be an ideal fit for the opportunity.
• A closing statement. Wrap up your letter by reiterating all the above and end with your name and contact information.

Common types of recommendation letters.

While recommendation letters follow a certain structure, they can vary depending on who you’re writing the recommendation for and your relationship to them.

How to write a recommendation letter for an employee.

Whether it’s for a promotion or a new job, your recommendation letter should be a credible endorsement that showcases the employee’s professional strengths and accomplishments. Your tone should be professional and enthusiastic.

Focus on their achievements and emphasise the candidate’s potential, with measurable and accurate data to support your recommendation.

Example: “I am extremely pleased to recommend [applicant] for the position of [job role]. As [his/her] former [job role] at [company], I can attest that [applicant] is a hardworking and trustworthy employee.”

How to write a recommendation letter for a colleague.

As the applicant’s colleague, you can validate not only their skills and achievements, but also their reliability, attitude and work ethic. Ask them about the job description and tailor your recommendation letter to reflect their most notable qualities.

Keep your tone light and the information accurate and be mindful of lying or stretching the truth.

Example: “As [applicant’s] teammate at [company] for the past [number] years, I’ve benefited from [his/her] tireless work ethic, problem solving and ability to work under pressure. I would highly recommend [him/her] for the position of [job role].”

How to write a letter of recommendation for a friend.

Also known as a personal reference or a character reference, your letter of recommendation should sum up your personal experience with the applicant. Ask your friend what their goals and objectives are and use this information to inform your recommendation.

Include characteristics and skills that are most suitable for the position they’re applying for and emphasise their career growth.

Example: “It is my pleasure to offer my recommendation for [applicant] for the position of [job role] at [company]. As a family friend for [number] years, I have always known [him/her] to be a compassionate and highly driven person.”

5 tips for writing an effective recommendation letter in the UK.

If you’re writing a letter of recommendation, you’ll want to give the applicant the best chance to stand out to potential employers or admissions officers. Learn how to write a strong recommendation letter with our tips.

1. Do your research.

First, understand why you’re being asked to write the recommendation letter in the first place. Is it for a new job or for academic reasons? Ask for a copy of the job description or academic programme requirements. This will allow you to focus your recommendation letter on the traits that are specific to the role they’re applying for.

2. Use a standard letter format.

Make a good impression with a simple yet effective letter format. The structure can vary depending on whether it’s a character reference or standard recommendation letter, but the main components are usually the same. This includes a formal greeting, a concise introduction, a closing statement and a signature, followed by your contact information.

3. Keep it light, positive and professional.

Your letter of recommendation should confirm that the applicant is a strong contender, but this can fall flat if the tone is wrong. Keep your letter light and positive, yet formal and polite. Try to use words that will make an impact on the recipient and keep it as concise as possible.

4. Focus on key achievements and qualifications.

Relevance is key for any recommendation letter. Outline two or three achievements that are relevant to the job description or academic requirements and give examples. For example, if they’re applying for a management role, highlight their leadership skills. If you can include tangible or measurable information, such as hitting sales targets or winning awards, even better.

5. Follow the instructions.

You may write an effective and persuasive recommendation letter, but it would all be for nothing if you missed the deadline. Ask the applicant for any specific submission guidelines so you can better prepare. If possible, send over your letter early to make a good impression. This can potentially carry over to the applicant you’re endorsing.

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Good to know.

How long should a letter of recommendation be?

The length of a recommendation letter can vary depending on the content, but it should never be more than a page long. Recommendation letters generally comprise four to five paragraphs and are more concise than exhaustive. Create a recommendation letter with templates or from scratch using Adobe Express and find a structure that works for you.

What should you not say in a recommendation letter?

Recommendation letters should demonstrate honest enthusiasm and information on the applicant’s strengths and achievements. They should also be concise, without too much focus on you and your own career path. Try to avoid any comments that could be taken in a negative light.

What is a good opening sentence for a letter of recommendation?

Always open a recommendation letter with excitement for your recommendation. Explain your relationship with the candidate as well as why the letter is being written. Some strong openers include:

• “It is my pleasure to strongly recommend…”
• “I am pleased to provide a recommendation for…”
• “I am writing to highly recommend…”

Discover how to start a letter with our guide.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes. The basic version of Adobe Express includes everything you need to start working creatively. Adobe Express offers thousands of design templates, images, videos and royalty-free photos, quick actions for processing images, as well as much more. You can create a professional recommendation letter, for example, by including a letterhead, logo and much more.