A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) is a powerful tool that can significantly impact a job applicant’s or student’s chances of success. It is a formal document written by a person familiar with the applicant’s skills, abilities, and character, vouching for their qualifications. A well-crafted LOR can open doors to new opportunities and help individuals stand out from the competition.
Key Elements of a Professional LOR Template
Free Letter of Recommendation Templates – PDF Word – eForms
A professional LOR template should be visually appealing, easy to read, and well-structured. It should include the following key elements:
1. Letterhead
Organization Logo: A prominent logo of the organization where the recommender is affiliated can add credibility and professionalism.
Organization Name: Clearly display the full name of the organization.
Recommender’s Name and Title: Include the recommender’s full name and job title.
Contact Information: Provide the recommender’s email address and phone number for verification purposes.
2. Date
Formal Date Format: Use a formal date format, such as “January 1, 2024.”
3. Recipient’s Name and Address
Full Name and Title: Clearly state the recipient’s full name and title.
Organization Name: Specify the name of the organization to which the letter is addressed.
Complete Address: Include the recipient’s complete address, including street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
4. Salutation
Formal Salutation: Use a formal salutation, such as “Dear [Recipient’s Name],” or “Dear [Recipient’s Title].”
5. Introduction
Clear Purpose: Briefly state the purpose of the letter, such as recommending [Applicant’s Name] for a [Position/Program].
Relationship to Applicant: Describe your relationship with the applicant and how long you have known them.
Context of Recommendation: Specify the context in which you are writing the letter, such as a professional reference or academic recommendation.
Highlight Key Qualifications: Dedicate separate paragraphs to highlight the applicant’s key qualifications, such as their skills, abilities, and character traits.
Provide Specific Examples: Support your claims with specific examples of the applicant’s work or accomplishments.
Use Strong, Action Verbs: Employ strong, action verbs to describe the applicant’s abilities, such as “demonstrated,” “achieved,” and “exhibited.”
Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, quantify the applicant’s achievements to make them more impactful. For example, instead of saying “She is a hard worker,” say “She consistently worked 60-hour weeks to complete the project on time.”
7. Conclusion
Reiterate Support: Reiterate your strong support for the applicant’s candidacy.
Offer to Provide Additional Information: Offer to provide additional information or answer any questions the recipient may have.
Formal Closing: Use a formal closing, such as “Sincerely,” “Best Regards,” or “Yours Sincerely.”
8. Signature
Handwritten Signature: The letter should be signed by the recommender in blue or black ink.
Typed Name and Title: The recommender’s typed name and title should be included below the signature.
Design Considerations for a Professional LOR Template
Font: Choose a professional and easy-to-read font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
Font Size: Use a font size of 12 points for the body text and 14 points for headings.
Line Spacing: Use 1.5 line spacing for the body text.
Margins: Use standard margins of 1 inch on all sides.
Alignment: Align the text to the left margin.
Header and Footer: Include a header with the organization’s name and page number, and a footer with the recommender’s name and contact information.
Be Specific and Detailed: Avoid vague and generic statements. Use concrete examples to illustrate the applicant’s skills and abilities.
Proofread Carefully: Proofread the letter carefully to ensure there are no errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
Be Honest and Objective: Provide an honest and objective assessment of the applicant’s qualifications.
Tailor the Letter to the Specific Position or Program: Customize the letter to highlight the specific skills and experiences that are relevant to the position or program the applicant is applying for.
Submit the Letter on Time: Ensure that the letter is submitted on time to meet the deadline.
By following these guidelines and design considerations, you can create a professional and effective LOR template that will help your recommenders write compelling letters of recommendation.
