How to Write Reference Letters

From time to time, your friends, relatives, and business associates will need you to write character references, letters of recommendation, introduction to business colleagues, reference letters to college admission boards and committees, and nominations for awards.Writing that letter or email puts your friend, family member, or colleague in the limelight-and banks a favor for your own future. So don't let that task of phrasing a great letter keep you from helping someone in these situations. Get to the point immediately. Introduce or recommend the person in the first sentence or paragraph. Overview the person's association with you: In what capacity did you know this individual? How have you become aware of his or her skills, talent, character traits, contributions, or success? Avoid making exaggerated claims that will sound insincere and may set both parties up for disappointment. Close by expressing confidence that any future association between the reader and your friend, family member, or colleague will be mutually rewarding. With writing reference letters or letters of recommendation, you'll have a unique chance to do a favor for two people-with only a few strokes on your keyboard and a few minutes' time.If you'd like to make the reference letter writing process even easier, we can help even more. If you still can't find the right words for that special reference letter, try our professionally written package of ready-to-go recommendation letters.You'll find letters for these special situations: Types of Reference Letters or Recommendation Letters Supplying References for Students Supplying References for Graduate School Supplying References for Employees-Suitable Supplying References for Employees-Unsuitable Supplying Character References for Friends Introducing Relative to Potential Employer Nominating Candidate for Award/Recognition Recommending Guest Speaker Recommending Tenure Requesting Job References Requesting Personal Character References Declining to Supply Character Reference Declining to Supply Job References Declining to Make an Introduction