What Is an Employee Letter of Recommendation?
A letter of recommendation for an Employee is a document typically written by a manager or supervisor to endorse an employee’s skills and work ethic. It supports the employee’s job or promotion by highlighting their capabilities and achievements based on the writer’s direct experiences with the individual.
Letters of recommendation are not always required during a job search, but they can supplement an application to help the candidate stand out.
How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for an Employee
Before you begin writing, take a moment to review the job description and ask the employee if there’s anything specific they’d like you to mention. Knowing what the employer is looking for will help you tailor your letter more effectively. When you’re ready to start writing, follow these steps:
1. Use the Right Format
Keep it professional by using standard business letter format, especially if it’s being mailed or printed. If sending by email, include a clear subject line and skip the address blocks.
2. Start with a Strong Introduction
Open with how you know the employee and why you’re qualified to recommend them. Mention your role, your relationship, and how long you’ve worked together.
3: Highlight Key Strengths
Use one to two body paragraphs to share specific examples of the employee’s skills, accomplishments, and work ethic. Focus on what makes them a great fit for their new role.
4. Share Real Examples
Support your points with one or two anecdotes. Choose moments that show growth, leadership, or impact—ideally tied to the role they’re applying for.
5. End with Confidence
Close by reaffirming your recommendation and offering to provide more information. Include your contact details and signature.
Employee Letter of Recommendation: Examples
Below, we’ve put together three examples of employee letters of recommendation that you can use to give you an idea of how your letter should look.
Example 1: Manager Recommending Employee for a Career Change
This example highlights adaptability, reliability, and initiative for a candidate transitioning to a legal admin role.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to highly recommend Caleb McTyre for the Administrative Assistant position at your esteemed law firm, Smith & Jones LLP. Having had the pleasure of working with Caleb at TechNova Solutions, a leading technology consulting firm, for the past three years, I can confidently attest to his integrity, reliability, and exceptional cooperation within our team.
Caleb has consistently demonstrated a high level of integrity in all his tasks. His attention to detail and adherence to our firm’s strict confidentiality policies have been exemplary. This trait is crucial in a legal setting where discretion is paramount, and Caleb has proven time and again that he can be trusted with sensitive information.
Reliability is another of Caleb’s standout qualities. He has never missed a deadline, and his organizational skills have significantly improved our department’s efficiency. For instance, Caleb implemented a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 40%, showcasing his proactive approach and ability to enhance operational workflows. His interest in the legal field became evident when he took the initiative to research and incorporate best practices from legal administration, which further streamlined our processes.
Caleb’s cooperative nature has made him an invaluable team member. He willingly assists colleagues, often going beyond his assigned duties to ensure collective success. An example of this is when he took the initiative to train new hires, significantly reducing their onboarding time and increasing their productivity. Caleb’s passion for the legal field was further highlighted when he volunteered to assist our legal department during a particularly busy period. His eagerness to learn and contribute was impressive and demonstrated his readiness to transition to a legal environment.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Caleb McTyre for the Administrative Assistant position at Smith & Jones LLP. His proven track record of integrity, reliability, and cooperation assures me that he will exceed your expectations and contribute positively to your team. Should you have further questions or require more information, do not hesitate to contact me at (123) 456-7890 or [email protected].
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
Oliver Schnatz
Example 2: Manager Recommending Employee for a New Job
This second example emphasizes guest experience, problem-solving, and leadership—ideal for hospitality or customer-facing roles.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am delighted to recommend Laila Kurts for the Guest Relations Supervisor position at your prestigious hotel. As her direct supervisor at ABC Hotel for the past four years, I have witnessed Laila’s exceptional dedication, professionalism, and outstanding guest relations skills.
Laila’s achievements in guest relations are noteworthy. She played a pivotal role in improving our guest satisfaction scores by 20% over six months, a testament to her ability to create memorable experiences for our guests. This remarkable achievement was driven by her attentiveness and her ability to connect with guests on a personal level. Laila consistently goes out of her way to anticipate guest needs before they even express them. For example, she took the initiative to implement a personalized guest preference tracking system, which allowed us to cater to individual guest preferences seamlessly. Her attention to detail and genuine interest in each guest’s experience have significantly enhanced our service quality.
One of the most impressive aspects of Laila’s character is her ability to handle challenging situations with grace and composure. For instance, we once experienced a significant issue during a high-profile conference hosted at our hotel. A sudden power outage disrupted the event, and our backup generators were malfunctioning. Laila quickly coordinated with our maintenance team to arrange for portable power units and ensured that critical conference equipment was operational. Her quick thinking and decisive actions prevented a complete event shutdown. Additionally, she communicated effectively with the guests, providing regular updates and arranging complimentary refreshments to keep them comfortable. Her efforts not only salvaged the event but also received commendation from the organizers, who appreciated her professionalism and resourcefulness under pressure.
Laila’s leadership potential is evident in her mentorship of junior staff. She has successfully trained and developed several team members, preparing them for advanced roles within the company. Her approach to team building and her ability to foster a collaborative environment have been instrumental in maintaining high morale and productivity among the staff.
In conclusion, I am confident that Laila Kurts is the ideal candidate for the Guest Relations Supervisor position at your hotel. Her proven skills in guest relations, leadership abilities, and dedication to excellence make her a perfect fit for this role. Please feel free to contact me at 987-654-3210 or [email protected] if you need any further information.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
Annie Elroy
Example 3: Director Recommending Employee for Promotion
This final example highlights leadership, innovation, and strategic growth—ideal for recommending someone ready to move into a management role.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to recommend Regina Jones for the position of Marketing Manager at our company. Over the past five years, Regina has shown remarkable growth and has become an indispensable member of our marketing team. Her creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership skills make her an ideal candidate for this promotion.
Regina has made significant contributions to our marketing campaigns, notably leading a project that increased our social media engagement by 35%. Her innovative approach to content creation and audience targeting has not only boosted our online presence but also generated substantial leads and sales. Her knack for identifying market trends and tailoring strategies accordingly has been a major asset to our team.
A personal anecdote that stands out is Regina’s handling of a major product launch. Faced with tight deadlines and unforeseen challenges, she coordinated seamlessly with various departments, ensuring a successful launch that exceeded our sales targets by 20%. Her ability to manage stress and maintain focus under pressure is truly commendable.
Regina’s continuous professional development is evident in her pursuit of advanced marketing certifications and attendance at industry seminars. Her commitment to staying updated with the latest marketing trends and technologies positions her well for the Marketing Manager role. Her leadership skills are demonstrated by her mentorship of junior staff and her role in spearheading our recent rebranding initiative, which has been met with widespread acclaim.
In conclusion, I am confident that Regina Jones is exceptionally qualified for the Marketing Manager position. Her proven track record, professional skills, and dedication assure me that she will excel in this role and drive further success for our company. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me at 123-456-7890 or [email protected].
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
Gabriella Nunez
Employee Letter of Recommendation Writing Tips
In addition to the above information, consider the following tips to craft an impactful employee letter of recommendation.
- Be Concise: Keep the letter concise and to the point. The letter is for business, and your reader will not want to read an essay.
- Be Relevant: Consider what matters the most to the organization for the candidate’s desired position. For instance, assertiveness may be favorable in sales but frowned upon in counseling or social work.
- Be Insightful: Refrain from repeating information already on the CV or resume. Instead, provide unique insights the hiring manager will not see in the employee’s application.
- Collaborate with the Employee: Ask what they hope to highlight in the letter so you can align your message with their goals. Then, reflect on your direct experiences to choose the strongest examples.
Employee Letter of Recommendation Sample
Below, you can see what an employee letter of recommendation looks like. You can customize this template using our document editor and then download in PDF or Word format.
Write Your Employee Recommendation Letter Now
Now that you’ve seen how to structure and personalize a recommendation letter, you’re ready to start writing your own.
Whether you’re recommending someone for a new job, a promotion, or a career change, Legal Templates makes the process easier with a ready-to-use, fully customizable employee letter of recommendation template.
