Personal
Letter of Recommendation Template
Recommendation letter template for academic or professional references.
About This Letter of Recommendation Template
A structured recommendation letter template for professors, managers, and colleagues providing references. Includes sections for the writer's relationship to the candidate, specific accomplishments and strengths, comparison to peers, and a strong endorsement.
A great recommendation letter provides specific examples rather than generic praise. This template guides the writer through each section to produce a compelling, detailed reference.
Who Is This Template For?
- •Professors recommending students for graduate school.
- •Managers writing references for departing employees.
- •Colleagues providing professional endorsements.
- •Mentors supporting scholarship or fellowship applications.
What's Included
- Writer's name, title, and contact information.
- Candidate name and relationship description.
- Sections for specific strengths and achievements.
- Comparative assessment area.
- Strong recommendation statement and signature.
Template Details
- Category
- Personal
- Format
- PDF (fillable form fields)
- Page Size
- US Letter (8.5 x 11 in)
- Price
- Free
How to use this template:
- Download the recommendation letter template.
- Fill in your details and the candidate's name.
- Describe your relationship and how long you've known them.
- Provide specific examples of their strengths.
- Add your recommendation and signature.
- Send directly to the requesting institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How specific should a recommendation be?
Very specific. Instead of "John is hardworking," write "John led a team of five to deliver the Q3 marketing campaign two weeks early." Specific examples are far more convincing.
How long should a recommendation letter be?
One full page is standard — long enough to be substantive but short enough to be read completely.
Can I write my own recommendation for someone to sign?
It is common practice for the candidate to draft a letter for the recommender to review and customize. This template makes that process easier.