What makes a good recommendation letter?

Recommendation letters are one good example of supporting documents to back you up in your job search journey. They are written evidence of your soft skills and other things that set you apart from the competition.
 
They play a key role in your application process, for they represent how you’re recognized by others, particularly those who have engaged with you in the corporate settings. 

If you’ve been asked to write a recommendation letter for a friend, here are the three key components:
 
1.How you know the person and the duration of your relationship with them
2.An evaluation of the person and their skills and accomplishments
3.A summary that explains why you would recommend him/her
 
On the other hand, when the hiring manager has requested you to submit one, it is important to know the essential details to identify if they are good recommendations:
 
Employee Qualities and Qualifications
 
Apart from the resume, cover letter, academic records, and interview, hiring managers and recruiters ask for recommendation letters to verify the candidate's qualifications and obtain insights from an outside party. It is important that your recommendation speaks on your supervisor’s/manager’s behalf and how they can see you in their eyes during your tenure in the company.
 
It should speak about your work performance; how did you handle a particular problem, gain trust/establish a relationship among colleagues, and drive efforts to achieve a set goal.
 
Here’s an example:
 
John demonstrated excellent communication skills and consistently surpassed departmental goals. On a personal level, he's outspoken and easy to establish rapport with his teammates, both qualities that have served him well in his role as a senior sales professional.
 
Employee Contribution
 
Hiring managers are eager to know what capabilities the candidate will bring to the new role, how he/she contribute to the company or organization, or simply what he/she can offer to the table, as well as how he/she will behave in the daily job work environment. Your recommendation letter must highlight your future performance by discussing your past achievements and contributions from your past employers.
 
Here’s an example:
 
First, John has brought significant value to the company by consistently exceeding quotas and selling in the top 10% of his peers. John has an in-depth knowledge of current market trends and talents for identifying and pursuing qualified leads. Not only does he provide exceptional service to existing clients, but he's pioneered several new B2B and B2C accounts during his tenure at the company.
 
Employee Value Proposition
 
A good recommendation letter should also display why you’d make a good fit in the next role. Even if you are making a big career change, your recommendation letter must explain why you’ll be able to do well in the new industry. In doing this, you should share the job description with your supervisor or manager so that they have a clear understanding of the position's requirements.
 
Your letter must briefly communicate your relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities and how they’ll meet the requirements and qualifications of the job post.
 
Here’s an example:
 
John is a team player; he's always prepared to lend a helping hand to his teammates and contributes during brainstorming sessions and meetings between the sales and marketing teams.
 
John is a problem solver; he always saves the day by making the most of technology to identify new prospects, provide modern solutions, and drive results.
 
Learn more on how to write and identify good recommendation letters. Contact us now.

To learn more about how to write a good recommendation letter,  schedule a call today to speak with one of our career experts. 
 
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