A strong letter of recommendation can make a big difference in your coworker’s job search or career advancement. It’s a chance to highlight their best qualities and achievements. Our examples and templates will show you how to craft a compelling letter that stands out. You’ll learn what details to focus on and how to structure your recommendation for maximum impact.
Templates for Letter of Recommendation for Coworker
Let’s look at some handy templates and samples for writing a great letter of recommendation for your coworker. These will help you craft a strong letter that highlights your colleague’s best qualities.
Template 1: General Recommendation
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern:
I’m writing to recommend [Coworker’s Name] for [position/opportunity]. [He/She] worked with me at [Company] for [time period] as a [job title]. [Coworker’s Name] is [2-3 positive qualities] and would be a great fit for [position/company].
[Brief example of coworker’s skills or achievements]
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example:
Jane Smith
Marketing Manager
(…) Company
November 7, 2024
To Whom It May Concern:
I’m writing to recommend John Doe for the Senior Copywriter position. He worked with me at (…) Company for 3 years as a Junior Copywriter. John is creative, hardworking, and a team player. He would be a great fit for your advertising agency.
John consistently produced engaging content that increased our website traffic by 30%.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Jane Smith
Template 2: LinkedIn Recommendation
[Coworker’s Name] and I worked together at [Company] for [time period]. [He/She] is an excellent [job title] with strong skills in [area of expertise]. [Coworker’s Name] [specific achievement or quality].
I highly recommend [him/her] for any [relevant field] position.
Example:
Sarah and I worked together at (…) Corp for 2 years. She is an excellent project manager with strong skills in team leadership. Sarah consistently delivered projects on time and under budget.
I highly recommend her for any project management position.
Template 3: Personal Reference
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I’m thrilled to recommend [Coworker’s Name] for [position/opportunity]. We worked together at [Company] for [time period]. [Coworker’s Name] is [positive quality] and [another positive quality].
[Coworker’s Name] [specific example of skill or achievement]. [He/She] would be a valuable addition to your team.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Example:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I’m thrilled to recommend Mike Lee for the Software Developer position. We worked together at Tech Solutions for 4 years. Mike is innovative and detail-oriented.
Mike developed a new app that streamlined our customer service process. He would be a valuable addition to your team.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Emily Chen
Template 4: Brief Recommendation
[Coworker’s Name] is an outstanding [job title] who I had the pleasure of working with at [Company]. [He/She] excels in [skill/area] and consistently [positive trait/achievement].
I wholeheartedly recommend [Coworker’s Name] for [position/opportunity].
Example:
Lisa Wong is an outstanding graphic designer who I had the pleasure of working with at Design Co. She excels in branding and consistently produces eye-catching visuals.
I wholeheartedly recommend Lisa for any design position.
Template 5: Skills-Focused Recommendation
[Coworker’s Name] is a highly skilled [job title] with expertise in:
-
- [Skill 1]
- [Skill 2]
- [Skill 3]
During our time working together at [Company], [Coworker’s Name] [specific achievement]. [He/She] would be an asset to any team.
Example:
Maria Lopez is a highly skilled marketing manager with expertise in:
Content Creation
Social Media Strategy
Brand Management
During our time working together at Creative Solutions, Maria led a rebranding campaign that increased our brand visibility by 30%. She would be an asset to any team.
Example Phrases for Letter of Recommendation
Highlighting Key Qualities and Traits
When writing a recommendation letter for a coworker, it’s important to focus on their standout qualities and achievements: this helps paint a clear picture of their value as a professional.
Professional Skills and Achievements
Your coworker’s professional skills and accomplishments are key to a strong recommendation.
Some phrases you can use are:
- He consistently met or exceeded sales targets.
- Her project management skills are top-notch.
- He has a knack for solving complex problems.
- Her attention to detail is impressive.
- He’s a skilled negotiator.
- His technical expertise is invaluable to the team.
- She’s shown great leadership potential.
- Her innovative ideas have improved our processes.
- He’s always willing to learn new skills.
- His time management skills are excellent.
- He’s a pro at handling difficult clients.
- Her presentations are always well-prepared.
- He’s contributed significantly to our team’s success.
- Her analytical skills are outstanding.
- He’s great at meeting tight deadlines.
- She’s shown impressive growth in her role.
- His ability to multitask is admirable.
- He’s a quick learner.
- His work is consistently high-quality.
- He’s mastered our company’s software systems.
- She’s excellent at training new team members.
- Her reports are always thorough and accurate.
- He’s successfully led several key projects.
- Her customer service skills are exceptional.
- He’s a valuable asset to any team he joins.
Character Traits and Personal Qualities
Highlighting your coworker’s personal qualities can give a well-rounded view of them as a professional:
- He’s a team player who always supports his colleagues.
- Her positive attitude brightens the office.
- He’s reliable and always follows through on commitments.
- His integrity is beyond question.
- She’s adaptable and handles change well.
- His enthusiasm is contagious.
- She’s a great listener and communicator.
- Her empathy makes her a valued team member.
- He’s proactive and takes initiative.
- Her creativity brings fresh ideas to the table.
- He’s patient when explaining complex concepts.
- Her professionalism is exemplary.
- He’s always willing to go the extra mile.
- His calm demeanor helps in stressful situations.
- She’s respectful of everyone’s opinions.
- His sense of humor lightens the mood.
- She’s organized and keeps the team on track.
- His confidence inspires others.
- He’s punctual and respects everyone’s time.
- His honesty is appreciated by all.
- She’s open to feedback and always striving to improve.
- His curiosity leads to innovative solutions.
- She’s a natural mentor to junior staff.
- His work ethic is admirable.
- He’s a peacemaker during conflicts.
Writing Specific Sections of the Letter
A well-structured recommendation letter highlights your coworker’s strengths and makes a compelling case for their candidacy. Let’s look at key parts of the letter and how to craft them effectively:
1. Crafting a Compelling Opening
Start your letter with a strong opening that grabs attention. Introduce yourself and your relationship to the coworker. Mention how long you’ve known them and in what capacity.
Example phrases:
-
- “I’m thrilled to recommend [Name] for [position].”
- “It’s my pleasure to endorse [Name] for [role].”
- “I’ve had the privilege of working with [Name] for [X] years.”
- “As [Your Position], I’ve closely observed [Name]’s exceptional work.”
- “[Name] has been an invaluable member of our team since [year].”
- “I’m writing to strongly support [Name]’s application.”
- “In my [X] years of management, few have impressed me as much as [Name].”
- “[Name] stands out as one of the most talented professionals I’ve encountered.”
- “I’m excited to share my experiences working alongside [Name].”
- “It’s rare to find someone as dedicated and skilled as [Name].”
- “I wholeheartedly recommend [Name] for [position].”
- “[Name]’s contributions to our team have been nothing short of remarkable.”
- “I’m confident [Name] would be an asset to any organization.”
- “Few people have left such a positive impact on our company as [Name].”
- “I’m writing to give my strongest recommendation for [Name].”
2. Describing the Coworker’s Role and Contributions
This part forms the main body of your letter. Talk about your coworker’s job duties, skills, and achievements. You can also use specific examples to show their value.
Example phrases:
-
- “[Name] consistently exceeded sales targets by [X]%.”
- “Thanks to [Name]’s leadership, our team efficiency improved by [X]%.”
- “[Name] played a key role in launching our successful [product/initiative].”
- “Clients often praised [Name]’s problem-solving abilities.”
- “[Name]’s innovative approach saved the company $[X] annually.”
- “As project lead, [Name] delivered results [X] weeks ahead of schedule.”
- “[Name]’s attention to detail caught critical errors, preventing costly mistakes.”
- “Team morale noticeably improved under [Name]’s guidance.”
- “[Name] quickly became the go-to person for [specific skill/task].”
- “Through [Name]’s efforts, customer satisfaction ratings rose by [X] points.”
- “[Name] consistently produced high-quality work, even under tight deadlines.”
- “Colleagues frequently sought [Name]’s advice on complex issues.”
- “[Name]’s creative solutions helped us win [X] new clients.”
- “As a mentor, [Name] helped [X] team members advance their careers.”
- “[Name]’s presentation skills were instrumental in securing key partnerships.”
3. Concluding with a Strong Endorsement
End your letter with a clear, strong recommendation. Summarize why you think your coworker is a great fit for the new role or company.
Example phrases:
-
- “I give [Name] my highest recommendation without reservation.”
- “[Name] would be an exceptional addition to your team.”
- “Any organization would be lucky to have [Name] on board.”
- “I’m confident [Name] will exceed your expectations.”
- “[Name] has my full support and endorsement.”
- “You won’t find a more qualified candidate than [Name].”
- “I have no doubt [Name] will thrive in this new role.”
- “[Name] has the skills and drive to make a significant impact.”
- “I strongly urge you to consider [Name] for this position.”
- “Hiring [Name] would be a wise decision for your company.”
- “[Name] is ready to take on new challenges and responsibilities.”
- “I believe [Name] is the ideal candidate for this opportunity.”
- “Your team would greatly benefit from [Name]’s expertise.”
- “[Name] has my unequivocal recommendation for this role.”
- “I’m excited to see [Name]’s future contributions to your organization.”
Preparing to Write the Recommendation
Before you start writing, it’s important to gather key information and reflect on your professional relationship with your coworker. This will help you craft a strong, detailed recommendation letter.
- Gathering Information
- Ask your coworker for their updated resume and the job description they’re applying for. This will help you tailor your letter to the specific role. Review their work history, skills, and accomplishments. Make a list of notable projects you’ve worked on together.
- Jot down specific examples of times your coworker excelled or went above and beyond. Think about their unique strengths and how they’ve contributed to the team. Don’t forget to note any awards or recognition they’ve received.
- If possible, chat with your coworker about their career goals. This will give you insight into why they’re seeking this new opportunity.
Reflecting on Your Professional Relationship
- Think back on your time working together. How long have you known each other? What roles have you both held? Consider the qualities that make your coworker stand out.
- Remember times when they showed great leadership, problem-solving skills, or teamwork. Write down specific instances that showcase their work ethic and abilities. Think about how they’ve grown professionally since you’ve known them.
- Reflect on how your coworker has positively impacted your work or the company as a whole. What would you miss most if they left? These personal insights will add depth to your recommendation.
Structuring the Letter of Recommendation
A well-structured letter of recommendation helps showcase your coworker’s best qualities and experiences. By following a clear format and including key elements, you can craft a compelling letter that stands out.
Proper Letter Format
Start your letter with your contact details at the top. Include your name, job title, company, address, phone number, and email. Add the date below this information.
Next, write the recipient’s details. If you don’t know who will read the letter, use “To Whom It May Concern.”
Begin with a friendly greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Name]” if you know the recipient.
Use standard margins and a readable font like Arial or Times New Roman in 11 or 12-point size.
Essential Components of a Great Letter of Recommendation
- Open your letter by stating your purpose and relationship to the person you’re recommending. For example, “I’m writing to recommend Jane Doe, who worked as my team lead for three years.“
- In the body, highlight your coworker’s strengths and skills. Give specific examples of their achievements. You might say, “Jane led our team to increase sales by 30% through her innovative marketing strategies.“
- Discuss their personal qualities too. Maybe your coworker is a great problem-solver or team player. Share a brief story that shows these traits in action.
- Close your letter on a positive note. Offer to provide more information if needed. End with a polite sign-off like “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name and signature.