What's a personal recommendation letter? When do you need personal recommendations, and when and how should you write them? Writing a personal recommendation letter or character reference can be a challenge. After all, these letters are generally required for big life events, such as a new job, a home purchase, or admission to a program or school. Show
What is a Personal Recommendation?A personal reference is someone who knows you personally, rather than from working with you or knowing you professionally. Who to Ask for a RecommendationPersonal recommendations and character reference letters can be written by teachers, neighbors, business acquaintances, clients, vendors, and other recommenders who can attest to an applicant's skills and abilities. How to Ask for a Personal ReferenceIf you’re the person requesting a reference, be sure to provide the writer with clear instructions on what information you need them to include and give them a resume or list of your skills and experiences. You might send a letter sample to the writer to help guide their own letter. Here's advice on how to ask someone to give you a reference. What to Include in Your LetterA personal reference letter should provide information on who you are, your connection with the person you are recommending, why they are qualified, and the specific skills they have that you are endorsing. It should also include specific examples of times they demonstrated these skills. Review this template for ideas and suggestions on what to write and how to provide a compelling reference: SalutationWhen writing a character reference letter, include a salutation (Dear Dr. Jones, Dear Ms. Matthews, etc.). If you are writing a general letter, say "To Whom It May Concern" or don't include a salutation and simply start with the first paragraph of the letter. Paragraph 1The first paragraph of the character reference letter explains how you know the person you are recommending and why you are qualified to write a recommendation letter to recommend employment, college, or graduate school. With a personal letter, you are writing a recommendation letter because you know the person and their character, rather than because you have direct experience with their work or education. Paragraph 2The second paragraph of a reference letter contains specific information on the person you are writing about, including why they are qualified, what they can contribute, and why you are providing a reference letter. Use specific examples of times the employer demonstrated these skills or qualities. If necessary, use more than one paragraph to provide details. SummaryThis section of the reference letter contains a brief summary of why you are recommending the person. State that you "highly recommend" the person or you "recommend without reservation," or something similar. ConclusionThe concluding paragraph of a reference letter contains an offer to provide more information. Include a phone number and/or email address within the paragraph and include the phone number and email address in the return address section of your letter, or in your email signature. Sincerely, Signature (hard copy letter) Your Name NoteIf you're sending an email recommendation, list your contact information in your signature. Tips on Writing Personal Recommendation LettersA recommendation letter should be tailored to both the person being recommended and to the position or responsibilities involved. NoteIt's important to tailor your letter to fit the particular person you are recommending and incorporate the information he or she asks you to include. Be sure to focus on how the person is qualified. Sharing examples is a good way to show what the person can accomplish. Your letter should describe how you know the person and explain why you’re recommending them.
Also review how to write a reference letter for a friend, if you're writing a personal letter. Personal Recommendation Letter ExamplesHere are sample of personal reference letters you can use as a starting point for your own correspondence:
Be sure to ask permission before you ask someone to give you a reference. Here’s a sample letter you can use for your request:
Personal Reference Letter TemplateThis is a personal reference letter example. Download the personal reference letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples. Download the Word Template Personal Reference Letter Sample (Text Version)Elizabeth Smith March 10, 2021 Jane Jones Dear Ms. Jones, It’s my pleasure to offer my unreserved recommendation for Megan Brown for the position of intern at Acme Corp. I’ve known Megan for over 20 years, having lived next door to her since she was a child. She’s always demonstrated responsibility and entrepreneurial spirit. When she was a teenager, she started a snow shoveling business in our neighborhood and wound up managing a team of five other kids from the street. I’m fairly certain they pulled in enough money to buy their own plow… if any of them had been old enough to operate it. Since then, I’ve watched with interest as she’s pursued her education and interest in business. Of course, you know from her transcripts and professional recommendations that she’s been unusually successful throughout her early career, but what you might not know is the joy she gets from solving problems and making business ideas work. It’s truly inspiring to see her tackle something and make it a success. Megan would be an asset to any organization, but I know that she has a particular passion for your company. I’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss my recommendation further. Please feel free to call me at 555-555-5555. Sincerely, Elizabeth Smith (signature for hard copy) Elizabeth Smith After You Send the ReferenceLet the person know when you've submitted the reference. Once you've mailed, emailed, or uploaded your reference letter, let the person you're writing it for know that it's been submitted. Finally, don't forget to send a thank you not or email to your reference providers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other SubmitSources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. How do I write a letter of recommendation for myself?These are some quick tips for how to write a letter of recommendation for yourself:. Create an outline by entering your skills and strengths into a template.. Use the proper voice.. State the letter's purpose immediately, followed by an explanation of how your reference knows you.. Be confident in the writing.. How can I recommend myself?If the letter is for a job application, focus your self-recommendation on skills and qualifications that are required for the job. Make every word count. Address your audience professionally, preferably by name if you know it, and promptly state what you are recommending yourself for.
How do you write a letter of recommendation for a personal friend?How to write a reference letter for a friend. Accept if you can provide a quality reference. ... . Request details about the job opening. ... . Ask your friend about goals and objectives. ... . Discuss the background of your relationship. ... . Mention examples of skills and qualifications. ... . Focus on improvement and progress.. |