If you are a manager or an employer, your employees may often request for a recommendation letter in order to acquire a new job, visa, loan, etc. Each employee has rights to request for a recommendation letter and as a manager, it becomes your responsibility to compose the letter for your employee. Companies have their policies when it comes to such letter, this letter may be issued by HR department or by a reporting manager. In this post, we’ve covered the details related to the recommendation letter for employee from manager and of course we’ve provided free letter samples in both printable and editable format.
A recommendation letter is one of the most frequently written letters in a professional world. As a working professional then you must have enough knowledge on what this letter is, how to write it, what are the key components, etc.
Is Recommendation Still Important?
The answer is Yes, a recommendation letter still holds value and significance in a professional world. It serves as a strong validation of an employee’s capabilities and reliability. Through a recommendation letter, an employer get to know about the applicant’s work history, strengths, and potential contributions. A well written letter of recommendation from manager establish the employee’s credibility and increases the chances of getting selected.
The use of recommendation letter is not limited to jobs only, it comes in handy when it comes to apply for a visa, loan, etc.
Letter of Recommendation from Manager
What are the important Elements of a Recommendation Letter
Following are some of the important elements that must be there in a letter of recommendation for employee:
- Start a letter by mentioning the purpose of writing a letter and make sure to specify your relationship with the employee.
- It is important to mention the job position of an employee, for how long he or she has been working with you, etc.
- Make sure to highlight the key skills and strengths of an employee, you can write about employee’s professional skills, qualities, and strengths.
- If you are considering to write a lengthy letter then you can give an example of employee’s contributions and accomplishments.
- Always end a recommendation letter with a strong closing statement, provide your contact information for verification or further information.
Step by Step Guide to Write an Effective Recommendation Letter
Step 1: Always start a letter with a professional greeting i.e. use salutation such as “To Whom It May Concern of the recipient is unknown and if the recipient is known then address to him or her directly. The tone of the letter should be professional only.
Step 2: In the start of a letter, give a little introduction of yours and mention your relationship with an employee i.e. for how long you’ve been working with an employee professionally. Check out the example below:
Example:
“I am pleased to write this letter to recommend [Employee’s Name], who has worked under my supervision as a [Job Title] at [Company Name] for the past [Duration]. During this time, I have had the privilege of witnessing their exceptional work ethic and dedication.”
Step 3: Talk about the skills and contribution of an employee. You may talk about an employee’s Leadership abilities, Communication and teamwork, Technical expertise, Reliability and integrity, Leadership abilities, etc. It is important to highlight the skills and contribution
Example:
“[Employee’s Name] has consistently demonstrated excellent Leadership abilities and a strong commitment to teamwork. Their ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues has greatly contributed to our team’s success.”
Step 4: Always end a recommendation letter with a strong closing statement i.e. show your strong support towards the employee’s application. Make sure to express your confidence in the abilities and skills of an employee.
Example:
I’m confident that [Employee’s Name] will be a valuable asset to your organization. I highly recommend them for the position and am confident that they will excel in their new role. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Contact Information] if you require any further details.”
Recommendation Letter for Employee
Sample Recommendation Letter
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter in support of [Employee’s Name] who has applied for a job position in your company. As a manager at [Company Name], I have closely monitored the work performance of [Employee’s Name] for [number of years]. I’ve been consistently impresses by the dedication and commitment he always showed at work.
[Employee’s Name] is a skilled and experienced working professional with strong work ethics. He has been a great team member, always motivating fellow employees and giving his 100% in all tasks. I’ve been impresses with his ability to work delicately specially during the challenging situations. He has been a great asset to our team and contributes towards the team’s success.
Apart from the brilliant professional achievement, [Employee’s Name] is very calm and well spoken person, his/her positive attitude towards life reflect in his/her work as well. I’ve always seen him having great time with other team members. There has never been a single complaint again him from any other employee. It was an absolute pleasure working with him/her.
I recommend [Employee’s Name] for the [Position/Opportunity] he/she is pursuing. I am confident that [Employee’s Name] will be an asset and contribute towards the success to your organization. Please feel free to contact me at [Contact Information] if you need further details.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Recommendation Letter
- Always check for grammatical errors or mistakes. Make sure to proofread the letter once to ensure there are not errors and it’s written professionally.
- Only Say YES to writing such a letter if you have positive things to talk about an employee. Simply say NO if you don’t have any good things to write.
- Refrain from being dishonest. Make sure to maintain honesty and credibility in your recommendation.
- It’s better to write down specific skills and achievements instead of generic statements.
- Customize the letter for the specific job or opportunity the employee is applying for.
Final Thoughts
Writing a letter of recommendation does not come naturally to many of us, so it’s best to take reference from a sample letters. Employer and managers are busy people, they have so many important things to do than just writing a letter. In order to save the time and efforts of employers, we have shared well structured recommendation letter templates here in an editable format. Just download the template you like the most, edit it by adding the employee details and your recommendation letter is ready in minutes.