Letter of Recommendation Templates

1. Who needs a letter of recommendation?

People need letters of recommendation for all kinds of situations. Common examples are students applying to a college or graduate program, employees applying for a new job or internal promotion, or tenants seeking recommendations from past landlords.

Athletic directors or coaches exploring a new opportunity might also request letters of recommendation, as well as various aspiring professionals looking to build their brand — from restaurateurs and real estate agents to dentists and lawyers.

To get a strong letter of recommendation, you need to ask the right person — like current and past clients, professors, mentors, or supervisors. You also need a professional template like the following:

• Applying for a new job? Ask your former employer or manager to use this employee letter of recommendation for a strong, influential endorsement.
• Considering a specific graduate program? Share this letter of recommendation for student document with your professor.
• Trying to book more babysitting gigs in your neighborhood? Ask your current clients to complete this babysitting letter of recommendation .
• Looking to get a letter of recommendation for a scholarship? Give this scholarship letter of recommendation document to your guidance counselor, professor, or employer to fill out.

2. What information should a recommendation letter include?

A strong letter typically includes the applicant’s qualifications, key achievements, relevant skills, relationship context, and reasons they are suited for the opportunity they are pursuing.

3. How does a letter of recommendation differ from a letter of reference?

Though people sometimes use them interchangeably, a letter of recommendation and a letter of reference actually are quite different.

Of the two, a letter of reference tends to be more generalized. It typically starts with an informal greeting — like “To whom it may concern” or “Dear hiring manager” — and helps someone get an entry-level job or apply for school. Often, you can reuse letters of reference, at least until you gain more work experience.

A letter of recommendation also helps someone apply for a job or school, but it’s geared toward a specific job or a specific school. Letters of recommendation begin with a formal greeting addressed to the decision-maker and include clear-cut, relevant reasons explaining why the applicant is perfect for the particular position, school, or program. Because of their specificity, these letters aren’t reusable.

4. How to write a letter of recommendation? (Tips)

While letters of recommendation will vary slightly depending on who’s writing, requesting, and reading them, the strongest ones will contain many of the following elements.

1. Formal greeting: A professional, direct greeting (spelled correctly) shows how much you value the reader’s time and how much you want this position. Don’t overthink it; a simple “Dear Dr./Mr./Ms./Mrs./Mx. ___” will suffice. But be sure to get the honorific right.

2. Introduction: Next, state the candidate’s name and what they’re applying for. It’s also smart to briefly introduce yourself and who you are in relation to the applicant. This allows the reader to quickly understand why you’re writing the letter of recommendation.

3. Candidate overview: As the crux of the letter of recommendation, this section should clearly explain why the candidate deserves the job or admission to the school — including detailed information about their character traits, skills, and work ethic. If you want to set your letter of recommendation apart from others, end this section with a personal anecdote. Showing is more powerful than telling, so including a specific example of when the applicant did an outstanding job on a project or helped a colleague meet a deadline can really drive your recommendation home.

Closing statement and signature: Before signing, bring your letter to a close with a simple but effective statement to reiterate what you’ve already highlighted. When you sign the letter of recommendation, it’s also smart to include your official title and contact information in case the hiring manager needs to reach you.

You can type out a letter of recommendation and include the above elements, but for more convenience, choose an online form builder . Letter of recommendation templates are an easy way of doing this. With Jotform’s intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality, you can create, customize, share, and even e-sign a stellar letter of recommendation in minutes. This popular platform allows you to streamline and standardize the entire letter of recommendation process — whether you’re writing a letter for an employee, student, or tenant.

In a nutshell, here are the tips for every step when writing a recommendation letter:

Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the person you're recommending.

Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of the letter and specify the opportunity or position the person is applying for.

Specific examples: Provide concrete examples of the person's skills, accomplishments, and unique qualities relevant to the desired opportunity.

Structure : Organize the letter into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect or trait. Maintain a logical flow throughout.

Positive tone : Maintain a positive and professional tone throughout the letter, emphasizing the person's strengths and achievements.

Personal anecdotes : Share relevant anecdotes or stories that highlight the person's character, work ethic, or leadership abilities.

Comparisons : If appropriate, compare the person to others in similar roles or situations to provide context and demonstrate their exceptional qualities.

Address weaknesses : If necessary, address any weaknesses honestly and constructively, offering suggestions for growth.

Conclusion : Summarize your recommendation, reiterating your confidence in the person's abilities, and offer your contact details for further inquiries.

5. Can recommendation letters be acknowledged or signed digitally?

Yes. You can request acknowledgment or approval through Jotform Sign, offering a fast and secure way to complete the document workflow.

6. Can form submissions auto-generate recommendation letters?

Yes. Information collected through Jotform forms can autofill a PDF template in Jotform PDF Editor, ensuring accuracy and reducing manual editing.

7. How do these templates support efficiency for institutions and employers?

They standardize the recommendation process, reduce drafting time, and ensure professional, consistent formatting across departments or teams.

8. Can I store or share completed recommendation letters online?

Yes. You can send them by email, share secure links, or store PDFs in connected cloud platforms for long-term reference.

10. Can I reuse the same template for multiple applicants?

Yes. You can duplicate your template, adjust details for each individual, and maintain a uniform recommendation process.