How to Write a Recommendation Letter
Use this guide to write a recommendation letter that explains your relationship to the candidate, highlights a few relevant strengths, and backs the praise with real evidence.
This page now acts as the broad how-to hub inside the recommendation cluster, so you can move from general guidance into the matching generator, template, or student-focused support page without leaving the topic.
Guide cluster
Recommendation letters
Stay inside the recommendation cluster as you move from broad writing guidance to a draft generator, structure-first template, or student-specific support page.
Intent matched
This guide helps when you want wording advice, structure, and decision rules before drafting the final letter.
Stay inside one cluster
Every next step routes you to the matching generator, template, and scenario page without sending you into unrelated topics.
Ready to act
Use the checklist and next-step links to move from learning the format to generating a real draft you can edit and send.
5 steps to write a strong recommendation letter
Step 1
Explain your relationship to the candidate first
Open by stating how you know the candidate, in what setting, and for how long so the reader understands why your perspective is credible.
Step 2
Name the opportunity and what you are recommending them for
Whether the letter supports a job, scholarship, graduate program, or internship, the target opportunity should be clear early in the recommendation.
Step 3
Focus on a few strengths you can prove
The strongest recommendation letters emphasize two or three relevant strengths rather than listing every positive trait you can think of.
Step 4
Support praise with concrete examples
Use examples from projects, classroom work, leadership, or job performance so the recommendation feels specific and trustworthy instead of generic.
Step 5
Close with a clear statement of support
End by explicitly recommending the candidate and offering follow-up contact if that fits the context.
Before you send the recommendation
State how you know the candidate and in what context you observed them.
Match the letter to the exact role, program, scholarship, or opportunity.
Include at least one specific example that supports the praise.
Avoid exaggerated claims you could not defend if contacted later.
End with a confident recommendation and contact details if appropriate.
Need a draft faster?
Start with the matching tool
Use the generator for a tailored draft, then return to this guide if you want to improve wording, structure, or tone.
When this guide is the right starting point
Start here when your search intent is broad and you want help with recommendation-letter structure, proof, and positioning before choosing a drafting format.
Use this guide when you want broad help writing a recommendation letter before choosing a template or generator.
It is especially useful when you are unsure which strengths matter most or how much evidence to include for the opportunity.
If the recommendation is specifically for a student, scholarship, or academic program, continue to the student-focused support page next.
Common recommendation-letter mistakes
Using generic praise without explaining how you observed the candidate or what makes them stand out.
Failing to match the recommendation to the exact opportunity or audience reading it.
Overloading the letter with too many traits instead of choosing the few strengths you can support well.
Making inflated claims that weaken credibility rather than strengthening the recommendation.
Choose your next recommendation resource
After reading the guide, continue to the recommendation page that best matches your next task: drafting quickly, copying a structure, or strengthening student-focused academic framing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a recommendation letter always include?
A recommendation letter should explain your relationship to the candidate, identify the opportunity, highlight a few relevant strengths, and support those strengths with specific examples.
Should I tailor the recommendation to each opportunity?
Yes. Even when you start from a template, the final recommendation should reflect the exact role, program, scholarship, or context the candidate is applying for.
How important are examples in a recommendation letter?
Examples are essential because they turn praise into evidence. Concrete examples from work, class, projects, or leadership make the recommendation much more credible.
What should I do after writing the recommendation?
Review the relationship, opportunity, and proof points, then continue to the recommendation generator, template, or student page if you want a more polished next version.