How to give a recommendation

Start Here

• Be as specific as possible. Give examples of the great work they’ve done.

• Use these helpful performance reviews for inspiration.

• Try to connect their experience to the opportunity and how they will be a good fit.

Talking Points

• This letter is meant to bolster the application of <name>.

• This letter recommends <name> for the <title> with your organization. <List reasons you’re recommending them>

• I’m appealing to you directly to recommend in emphatic terms, <Name>.

• I write in support of my friend/colleague.

• I’m writing on behalf of my colleague, <name>…

• This letter aims to provide the usual gratuitous language to recommend a well-respected colleague, <name>.

• This letter endorses the application of <name>.

• This letter very warmly recommends…

• <Name> is applying for <award, job, etc.,>; happily, I can recommend her/him/them without reservation and with a clear conscience.

Example Recommendations

Not only is <Name> an expert in her field, but she's also an amazing communicator, creative and problem solver. She excels at managing stakeholders, hard-to-navigate situations, and driving difficult projects to completion. <Name> is also well versed in leading D&I initiatives and building amazing relationships with diverse groups of people. Once she puts her mind to it, there's no stopping her; she's a proven asset to any team.

<Name> is the triple threat. She’s a talented storyteller, dedicated project manager and absolute joy to work with. In our time working together our programs partnered to create a world class digital experience that drove corporate communications across the firm. It was easily some of the best work we’ve ever done, and undoubtedly because of her.

<Name> combines the strongest attributes of a free-willed creative with the single-mindedness of an experienced project manager and does so seamlessly. Additionally, her genuine approach to people provides her colleagues with a window into the life of a truly lovely person. A voracious reader, consumer of bad jokes, and office culture changer, Hailey should always be on your shortlist for a creative storyteller position.

<Name> has that rare combination of advanced technical skills, strong soft skills and personality that makes her an MVP on any team. I've had the privilege of working with <Name> for <time> as part of <Name> team. In that time, I've seen <Name> move mountains and hearts to affect great cultural change within the company, moving us towards a more customer-focused business. Her efforts have directly transformed our product notification process, transformed our ability to capture and analyze Voice of Customer (VOC), as well as rebuild a customer-first onboarding process. She has an incredible ability to take in loads of technical details and translate them to customers, peers, and executives in clear, succinct messages. I've seen her troubleshoot sticky issues with upset customers and colleagues with grace and patience for the benefit of both the customer and the business. If I were to start my own business, she would be the first person I'd ask to join me. She's a unicorn, and anyone would be lucky to call her a teammate.

<Name> is one of the most creative and intuitive professionals with whom I've had the pleasure to work. She has a wonderful combination of soft and technical skills that make her the ideal colleague. In the time that I worked with <Name>, I saw her transform email marketing at <company>, giving the company much more meaningful data and insights about what our clients want and need to know. I've been particularly impressed with her ability to tackle ambitious and, in some cases, daunting projects with grace under pressure and steely determination. Without her assistance, we would not have been able to launch our first all-company newsletter. Because of <name>’s technical abilities, we were able to have a seamless launch and collect meaningful metrics about our internal communications. <Name> is exactly the type of person you want on your team.

I had the great privilege to work with <Name< for a year. His endless enthusiasm, drive and creativity make him the perfect colleague. He has that rare combination of vision and flawless follow-through. This guy will bring your ideas to life. That's exactly what he did for me with our Collaborate Newsroom. After providing him with an ambitious "wish list" for the Newsroom, <Name> brought in a comment box, ratings, metrics, a whole new look, and more. I admire his ability to work with difficult personalities, build programs and systems out of nothing, and his relentlessly optimistic outlook. <Name> always delivers extraordinary results and is a pleasure to work with.

If <Name>’s four bestselling novels were not enough evidence of her creativity and talent, allow me to offer my personal recommendation of her as a professional and as a human being.

I had the privilege to work with <Name> for <time> at <Company>. Every day, I saw her tackle complicated rate structures and regulatory issues. Her ability to clearly and succinctly explain even the most technical issues earned her the respect and admiration of our entire department. It is not unusual for colleagues to seek <Name> out for her help putting a difficult subject into words.

She is also a very strategic thinker. Her communications plans and messaging were consistently thorough and thoughtful. She seems to have a particular talent for understanding her audiences and which messages will most appeal to them.

As a colleague, she is reliable, professional, and kind. Despite spending many long, arduous hours in our emergency operation center during wildfires, winter storms, and other crises, <Name> always had a smile and a “can-do” attitude that kept us all going.

There are not many “sure bets” in life, but <Name> is one of them. Regardless of the challenge, she will rise to meet it with enthusiasm and humor. She is a consummate professional who has the power to unite a team and bring out the best in her colleagues.

I wholeheartedly recommend <Name> as a communicator, writer, strategic thinker, project manager, and colleague. She would be an invaluable asset to any team.

<Name> is an excellent an effective strategist and big-thinker. I had the privilege of working directly with <Name> on <team name> team. He consistently went above and beyond for the team and our overall mission of <mission of company>. Here's what you can expect from <Name>: Superior writing skills; the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure; candid and sharp insight; big-picture strategy development; attention to detail; the ability to speak confidently and credibly to media; and the necessary skills to break down an incredibly complex topic into messages that are simple and easy to understand. If you're looking for a top-notch communicator and strategist, then you will struggle to find a more qualified candidate than <Full Name>.