April 25, 2007 22:24
Category: How To Write
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As in the case of business letter (see how to write a business letter), letter of recommendation too comes in many types. Starting from a teacher recommending a student's performance, an employer his erstwhile employee's to that of an avid reader praising a library to his friend, there can be just about any form of recommendation letter.
Compared to other kinds of letters, letter of recommendation is rather a tough call. It is difficult to think of standard rules that may guide letters of recommendation. There is always an element of doubt in the mind of letter writer as to how much to write and how much the beneficiary may expect.
Given the fact that no 2 opinions may converge, here is our take on how to write a letter of recommendation. Some important factors that we feel are important to write a letter of recommendation are as under:
Knowing The Person Well
People who are in influential positions and are requested for penning a letter of recommendation face this dilemma often. Teachers and professors usually have fairly good idea about the students, but in corporate world it is not possible for the man at the helm to closely know a person for whom a recommendation letter is sought.
Before recommending a person, especially commenting on character, it is good to know him or her well. If this is not possible for any reason, perhaps it is better to refrain from writing that letter.
What To Write
What is it that the requester for letter of recommendation wants to be written? Meeting him or her in person certainly helps. Before deciding what to write, why not ask for suggestions from the requester in written?
If there is any doubt, clarifications can always be asked for. If it is felt that certain comments cannot be made, let that be told clearly to the requester.
Sticking To Facts
Usually the person who is going to benefit from a letter of recommendation has somewhat unreal expectations from letter writer. Even the letter writer, especially in case of teachers praising students, mentions more than what can be said to be 'fairly' due to the beneficiary.
While that is expected per se, it is to be remembered that on many occasions the addressee may like to verify the claims made in the letter. In such instances, if what is written as recommendation doesn't turn out to be true, not only the beneficiary suffer, the letter writer's image too takes a beating.
It is therefore a good idea to stick to facts as much as feasible while emphasizing more on what are felt important.
Not Going Overboard
Feeling effusive about a requester's quality may at times influence letter writer so much that it leaves a tell-tale sign in the letter of recommendation. The downside to it is that the person who receives the letter may not find that apt simply because he is yet to know the applicant well enough.
He may feel being influenced into a decision because of highly positive letter of recommendation. He may not like this and in fact such a letter may actually boomerang on the applicant without helping him.
That said there is no harm to stress a requester's strong point while taking care that it is not overdone.
Avoiding Lengthy Account
Since a letter of recommendation is meant to draw attention of a deciding authority to the qualities of applicant, and not to overtly influence his decisions, a concise but clear account of recommendations helps.
Too much detail doesn't really enhance the requester's chance. If the person who gives the letter of recommendation holds a position of high stature, even a brief statement from him about the requester suffices amply.
Let's now come to the 'tricky' job of how to write a letter of recommendation. Given below is an example. It is the main body text, while one may select a format of own choice.
Nirbed Rakh has worked in our company as Lab Executive for close to 6 years. He has sound knowledge of the subject he dealt with in his job, and is responsible for quick expansion of his department resulting into increased revenue.
When Nirbed joined our company, we haven't had any plan to start an independent lab. But soon after his joining, due to his clear idea about the whole thing, he took lead to expand the lab's activities. His efforts not only saw the company considering the lab as a separate profit center, but the employee strength of the lab and the company as a whole also increased several times.
Nirbed believed that rather than machines, it's the people of a company who are its real assets. He himself is a glorious example of that.
Now that he is leaving our company, it will be difficult to fill in his position. But he has left us the wherewithal and strength to move ahead despite loosing him, which we surely will.
I wish Nirbed Rakh all the best amid firm hope that he will prove his worth in your company as well.
Related reading:
1. How To Write A Letter
2. How To Write A Business Letter
