When recommending someone for a job, you want to emphasize why the person would be a great fit for the role and company. Some key things to focus on in a recommendation include:
– The candidate’s qualifications and relevant skills/experience
– Specific examples of the person demonstrating those qualifications
– Why you feel confident the candidate will excel in the position
– Traits that make the candidate stand out like work ethic, leadership abilities, etc.
– Ways the candidate’s strengths align with the company’s needs and values
It’s also important that your recommendation letter provides specific details and concrete examples rather than vague, generic praise. Hiring managers want to understand what makes this candidate worth hiring over other applicants.
Sharing personal anecdotes and insights into what makes the person successful can help strengthen your recommendation. However, you still want to keep things professional. Focus on tangible achievements, contributions, and capabilities that would translate into success in the open role.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience
When introducing the candidate in your recommendation letter, provide a brief overview of their background. Mention relevant skills, degrees, certifications, and work experiences that pertain to the job requirements.
For example, you might write:
“James has over 5 years of experience managing cross-functional engineering teams in the aerospace industry. He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).”
“Sarah recently completed her BS in Computer Science with a near perfect GPA. During her studies, she excelled in software development courses and completed several internships as a software engineer.”
“Diego worked for over a decade as a Senior Financial Analyst for top accounting firms. He is highly skilled in financial modeling, data analysis, forecasting, and building financial reports.”
Be specific when describing their capabilities. If they have experience with certain tools, methodologies, or systems, mention those by name. Provide enough detail to demonstrate why this person stands out.
Give Specific Examples
To strengthen your recommendation, provide concrete examples of the candidate succeeding in past roles or situations. This shows the hiring manager this person has demonstrated the needed skills and traits, rather than you just claiming they possess them.
For instance, instead of merely stating the candidate excels in leadership, give an example:
“When our department underwent a reorganization, James stepped up as interim lead, directing 15 engineers through the transition. He provided clear direction and support, boosting team morale and retention during a period of uncertainty.”
You might explain how the candidate solved a major problem or improved processes at their company:
“During her internship, Sarah noticed inefficiencies in the team’s code review process that slowed down development. She developed a new review workflow that cut review times in half, streamlining their software release cycles.”
Relevant academic projects and leadership experiences like club or volunteer roles can also showcase a candidate’s abilities. The more specific you can be, the better.
Highlight Soft Skills
While technical expertise is crucial, soft skills like communication, work ethic, accountability, and culture add are also very important. Your letter should paint a picture of the whole candidate and the value they can bring to an organization.
Share skills and traits you feel would make this person an excellent cultural fit for the company. For example:
“Diego isn’t just a financial whiz – he’s also a great teammate. He motivated his team with enthusiasm and humor, mentoring junior employees to develop their skills. Diego has a talent for building camaraderie and bringing people together.”
“James leads by example. He often stayed late to help coworkers meet pressing deadlines or volunteered to take on extra tasks for the good of the team. His dedication inspired others and reflects his outstanding work ethic.”
Use specific anecdotes to back up claims about their work style, attitude, people skills, leadership, creativity, diligence, flexibility, integrity, and other personal attributes that would impress employers.
Align with Job Description
It’s important to tailor your recommendation to the specific job and company. Read over the job description and identify key requirements. Then incorporate those needs into your examples of how the candidate is qualified.
For instance, if the role requires SQL and data visualization skills, be sure to highlight the person’s SQL development experience and any data dashboard projects they’ve worked on.
When possible, mention the candidate’s expertise in the company’s core products, services, technologies, or methodologies. This shows they can hit the ground running if hired and have applicable domain knowledge.
Customizing your letter for the job description rather than sending a generic recommendation shows you understand their needs and have selected the right candidate for the job.
Explain Why You’re Recommending Them
As the one recommending the candidate, be sure to explain why you feel so strongly this person is right for the role. How do you know they would excel? Include details on your relationship like if you managed them directly or worked together closely.
For example:
“In my 5 years managing Sarah in the engineering department at Acme Company, I was continually impressed by her technical capabilities and leadership potential. She was a key contributor to major software initiatives that helped our company achieve its goals.”
“Diego and I worked side-by-side on the financial planning team at Jones Enterprises for 3 years. During that time, I saw firsthand Diego’s incredible attention to detail, analytic capabilities, and ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.”
Share your perspective on their potential for success if given this opportunity. Your experience working with and knowledge of the candidate adds credibility to your recommendation.
Keep It Professional
Always keep your recommendation letter professional in tone. Follow standard business letter formatting with clear organization. Use a formal style of writing and avoid slang terms, excessive praise, or personal bias. Stick to facts and concrete examples.
Maintain confidentiality by avoiding private life details or internal company information unrelated to their qualifications. Also refrain from criticism of their current or past employers. The focus should remain on their capabilities and potential positive impact.
Proofread carefully and have someone else review as well to check for errors. Follow up with the candidate to ensure the information and job details are accurate. When done well, your recommendation letter can be a huge help in getting the candidate an interview and offer.
Sample Recommendation Letter
Here is an example recommendation letter showcasing the above best practices:
April 19, 2021
Jack Smith
Senior Recruiter
ABC Company
123 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing this letter to highly recommend James Lucas for the Lead Engineering role at ABC Company. As his former manager at Acme Aerospace, I believe James would be a tremendous asset to your organization.
James has over 7 years of software engineering experience and expertise managing large-scale development projects. He possesses outstanding leadership abilities, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills that empower him to excel in management positions.
As Project Lead at Acme Aerospace for the past 3 years, James successfully directed cross-functional teams through our organization’s transition to agile methodologies. By implementing efficient processes and development strategies, he increased productivity by 20% on mission-critical systems. James also demonstrated stellar communication skills in presentations to stakeholders at all seniority levels. His technical leadership was vital in enabling our engineering teams to achieve key milestones under tight deadlines.
Moreover, James excels when it comes to mentoring, improving team dynamics, and leading by example. He coached several junior developers to become top performers and ensured new hires were fully onboarded. James is adept at conflict resolution and driving consensus when navigating complex technical challenges. He knows how to get people excited and invested in collective success.
I can think of no one better qualified than James for the Lead Engineer role at your company. He possesses all the technical expertise, leadership abilities, and strategic perspective needed to manage large engineering initiatives and high-performing teams. I am confident he would enable innovation and drive results that align with your organization’s goals.
Please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss James’ qualifications further. I wholeheartedly recommend him for this position.
Regards,
John Anderson
Director of Engineering
Acme Aerospace
[email protected]
555-555-1234
Conclusion
Writing an effective job recommendation involves highlighting the candidate’s best attributes and qualifications for the role. By providing specific examples and actionable details, your letter can paint a complete picture of why the person deserves to be seriously considered. Recommending someone demonstrates your confidence in their abilities, so be sincere yet professional when sharing your perspective. Follow these best practices, and you’ll write a compelling letter that gives your candidate an edge.