Include your contact information-phone number and email address in the address section of a letter or the signature section for email reference letters. The conclusion section of the letter should contain an offer to collaborate by providing more information about the candidate if need be. Also, state that you highly recommend the candidate without any reservations or something of the sort. This part of the reference letter briefly highlights the reasons why you are recommending the candidate. Use specific examples to highlight the candidate’s qualifications, skills, and abilities, where necessary use more than one paragraph to expound on the candidate’s competencies. These paragraphs of the letter should contain specific details about the person you are endorsing or recommending, including why they are qualified, the contribution they will bring and why you are writing a reference letter. On the first paragraph of the letter illustrate your connection to the candidate, how you know the candidate, the duration of time you’ve known the candidate, and why you are qualified to write a reference letter to recommend them for employment or academics. When writing a general reference letter, write “To whom it may concern” or skip the salutation altogether. When writing a personal letter of reference ensure that you include a salutation such as Dear Mr. When sending an email reference letter, ensure you state the name of the person you are writing the reference letter for in the subject line. If the letter is a soft copy-sending an email reference letter, include your contact information in your signature section.Įmail contact information in the signature For hard copy letters to be sent as an attachment or mailed, add the recipient’s contact information together with yours at the top of the letter.
The structure chosen should conform to a format that allows the writer to provide information about their connection with the candidate, the person they are recommending, and why they feel this candidate is qualified.ĭepending on whether the letter is a hard copy or soft copy ensure that you include your contact information correctly. General tips for writing a reference letter The format and components of a reference letter
The format and components of a reference letterģ. Read the reference letter templates below to familiarize yourself with the format and information to provide in a standard reference letter. Also, the fact that this letter is not directly provided by the applicant, it may carry a lot of weight. Therefore, a well-written reference letter should endorse an individual’s qualifications and competencies for a job, internship opportunity, college or graduate school, among other educational or employment experiences. Unlike the cover letter or resume, a reference letter provides relevant information about the candidate’s achievements and abilities from someone else’s point of view, similar to a recommendation letter. On the other hand, if you are writing a reference letter, you must know the format and the information that you need to include.
#Letter of reference how to
When and if you need a reference letter, you need to know whom you can ask and how to request a reference letter. Requesting a reference letter or writing one can be a daunting task. From a broad perspective, reference letters are endorsement letters which are usually required during academic or job applications. A reference letter is used to advocate for someone and provides a general overview of the individual’s skills, abilities, character, and knowledge.