How to Write a Good Letter of Recommendation?

Once you understand all the essential details of an LOR, let’s check how to write a Letter of Recommendation.

Your LOR or recommendation letter plays a crucial role in your application. However, it is important to choose the right person to create it. A person who knows you well and can effectively highlight your strengths with examples and stories can be the best recommender for you. This person should be familiar with specific projects or experiences that showcase your abilities.

Moreover, it is best if your LOR has unique content, so you must select a recommender who can provide different perspectives on your skills and achievements. For example, if you're applying for an MS course and need two Academic LORs, aim for recommenders who can discuss different aspects of the academic journey. One might discuss your performance during an internship, while the other could focus on a seminar or workshop you attended.

Let’s check the specific LOR Format for universities or employers.

A perfect letter of recommendation format must be divided into 5 paragraphs. You must divide LOR into the following sections -

• Date

• Name of the recipient

• Recipient title

• Address of the recipient

• Greeting

• Your introduction: Introduce yourself and your relationship to the applicant at the beginning of the letter's body.

• Recommendation: What characteristics make a candidate a good fit? You can give precise instances of your abilities or credentials.

• Closing

• Contact information

• Signature

To write a good letter of recommendation for students, follow the tips below. These tips will help you make the letter of recommendation (LOR) more memorable to admissions officers, prospective employers, and other readers.

• The provided data must be precise and meaningful.

• Avoid copying from the Internet. The Admissions Committee takes plagiarism or AI-generated LORs seriously. So, you need to create a unique LOR and do not copy from anywhere.

• The recommender should write positive attributes about the person in an easy-to-understand manner.

• Look closely at all the grammatical errors in your LOR during the final edit. If anything you find, fix it.

• Clear and concise words are the most crucial component of an outstanding LOR. Long sentences often disrupt the flow of the LOR and don't effectively communicate the main idea to the reader.

• LORs should be brief, written on one page, and little more than or equal to 500–600 words.

• In a formal letter of recommendation, discuss the person's function and duties while emphasising their demonstrated qualities. Job duties should not be included since this would make the letter appear more like a CV than a LOR.

• You should have known the recommender for at least half a year.

• It is crucial to include the recommender's precise contact information.

Here are some ways to create effective Letters of Recommendation (LORs).

Do Your Research – Your recommenders may ask about your academic program requirements, job descriptions, resume, and specific achievements to enable them to tailor the LOR to the role's needs. This ensures that the highlighted skills and qualifications directly align with the position.

Be Specific - Use real examples to show why the applicant is great for the role. Instead of general words, describe what makes them stand out. It is important to follow a proper format and use strong adjectives rather than general terms.

Stay Positive - Make sure the letter shows that the recommender believes in the candidate's qualities. Avoid saying anything negative. Recommenders should convey their point genuinely and believe in the candidate's suitability for the role.

Adhere to Guidelines - It is important to follow submission instructions meticulously. By adhering to the specified guidelines and deadlines, recommenders demonstrate their commitment to supporting the applicant's candidacy responsibly and professionally.

Use Active Voice - Constructing sentences in the active voice clarifies the LOR and enhances readability. This approach also ensures a more concise and compelling narrative.

Focus on Suitability - LORs should accurately assess the applicant's eligibility and suitability for the program or position. Recommenders should provide specific examples of the applicant's performance and achievements that identify that the candidate is suitable for the particular course.

Avoid Mentioning Grades or Scores - While it may be attractive to include academic performance metrics but, a strong letter of recommendation (LOR) should not include test results or grades. Since these details are already included in your application, including them in your LOR is not recommended.

Respect Privacy - A letter of recommendation should only contain private or sensitive information about the applicant if required or relevant.

When creating a Letter of Recommendation (LOR), carefully selecting the skills and traits to highlight is essential. However, it can be challenging to cover every aspect of an individual's abilities within a single-page document. Therefore, thoughtful consideration should be given to determining which skills are most relevant and impactful for inclusion in the LOR.

Below are some key skills that must be effectively highlighted in a Letter of Recommendation.

1. Can I submit more than the required number of LORs?

Sometimes, you can submit more than the required number of letters of recommendation. However, it is important to adhere to the application guidelines and only submit additional letters if they provide valuable insights into your qualifications and character.

2. Can I submit a draft of my LOR for my recommender to review?

It is generally not recommended that you submit a draft of your Letter of Recommendation for your recommender to review, as this can undermine its authenticity and credibility. Instead, provide your recommender with relevant information and guidance to help them write a strong and personalised letter on your behalf.

3. What are some common formatting guidelines for LORs?

Standard formatting guidelines for Letters of Recommendation include using professional language and tone, addressing the letter to the appropriate recipient, and including the recommender's contact information and signature. The letter should be formatted neatly and professionally, with proper spacing and margins.

4. Can I use the same LOR for multiple applications?

You should not use the same LOR for multiple applications, as each opportunity may have different requirements or expectations. Instead of doing this, you can work with your recommenders to tailor each letter to the specific opportunity and highlight relevant qualifications and achievements.

5. Do LORs need to be written in a formal tone?

Yes, LOR should generally be written in a formal tone and language, as they are professional documents typically submitted as part of formal applications. The tone should be respectful, courteous, and professional, with proper grammar and punctuation.