Letter of Recommendation
Alternate Names:
A Letter of Recommendation is also known as a:
- Reference
- Reference Letter
- Recommendation Letter
- Personal Reference
- Landlord Reference Letter
What is a reference letter?
A reference letter, or a Letter of Recommendation, is a letter written by a co-worker, colleague, employer, landlord, or professor that positively attests to a candidate's skills, accomplishments, work ethic, and/or character.
You can customise LawDepot’s reference letter template to suit a variety of scenarios. It can accompany a CV (or resume) and a Cover Letter in a job application, or it can be used in academic applications, such as part of a portfolio submission for admittance into a Masters degree program. You can also use it as evidence of your upstanding behaviour for immigration or tenancy applications.
What do you need a reference for?
References are often a requirement for professional and academic applications. When someone applies for a new job, for entry into an educational institution, or sometimes for government grants, the application process generally requires reference letters from colleagues or superiors to back up the candidate's character, skills, and achievements.
A Letter of Recommendation may also suit situations that ask for proof of good moral character. For instance, landlords going through tenant applications often request a reference letter from previous landlords. Similarly, immigration officers may ask for a character reference to verify any claims made by the applicant.
What is in a reference letter?
Reference letters don't need to be long or complex. They just need to cover a few basic points to be effective.
In a reference letter, be sure to include:
- Your name and contact information
- Your personal background and relationship with the applicant
- A few of the applicant’s strongest skills
- Concrete examples of the applicant’s skills
- A closing statement
It's important to keep your Letter of Recommendation positive and ensure that you're discussing examples that are the most suitable to the type of application the person is making.
For example, if you're writing a reference letter for a student's admittance to a Graduate Studies program, it would be prudent to discuss their strengths in research rather than their outstanding customer service abilities.
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