Quick answer
A recommendation letter is a one-page letter from someone who knows your work — a teacher or an employer — stating how they know you and for how long, two or three specific strengths with an example of each, and a clear recommendation, on letterhead with their signature, designation and contact details.
A recommendation letter is evidence from someone else, which is exactly why universities and employers ask for it — and why a vague one is worth nothing. “She is hardworking and sincere” could be about anyone. A letter that describes one thing the person actually did could only be about them.
On this page
01Recommendation letter format
- 1Letterhead and date — the school’s, college’s or company’s. A letter on plain paper carries little weight.
- 2Addressee — the admissions committee or the named employer, or “To whom it may concern” when it will be used more than once.
- 3How the writer knows the person — in what role, and for how long.
- 4Two or three strengths, each with an example — a result, a project, a responsibility handled.
- 5A comparison, if honest — “among the top five of sixty students I taught that year”.
- 6The recommendation — one clear sentence, and an offer to be contacted.
- 7Signature, printed name, designation, phone and official email, and the stamp.
02Recommendation letter for a student — from a teacher
03Recommendation letter for university abroad
Universities usually ask for two — commonly called LORs — and many now collect them directly: you enter your referee’s official email address and the university sends them a form or an upload link. Tell your referee to expect it.
An academic referee should speak to your ability for the course you are applying to: the subjects they taught you, your rank or result, a project or thesis, and your readiness for postgraduate study. If you have worked, the second can come from your manager. The facts must match your transcripts and your SOP.
04Recommendation letter for an employee
05How to ask for a recommendation letter
- 1Ask someone who knows your work closely, not the most senior person you can reach. A detailed letter from your subject teacher beats two lines from the principal.
- 2Ask at least two to three weeks before the deadline, in person or by a polite email.
- 3Give them what they need: your CV, your transcripts, the course or job you are applying for, the deadline, and two or three things you hope they will mention.
- 4If they ask you to draft it, write it honestly and let them change it — it goes out under their name.
- 5Thank them, and tell them the result.
06What makes one weak
- Only adjectives — hardworking, sincere, honest — with no example.
- No letterhead, no contact details, or a personal email address for the referee.
- Written by the applicant in the same style as their SOP.
- Facts that disagree with the transcript or the CV.
- A relative or family friend as the referee.
Common questions
How do I write a recommendation letter for a student?
On the institution’s letterhead, say how you know the student and for how long, describe two or three strengths with a specific example of each — a result, a project, a responsibility — give a clear recommendation, and sign with your name, designation and contact details.
Who should write my recommendation letter?
Someone who has taught or supervised you directly and can describe your work: a subject teacher, project supervisor or head of department for study, your manager for a job. Not a relative, and not someone senior who barely knows you.
How long should a recommendation letter be?
One page — about 250 to 400 words.
What is the difference between a recommendation letter and an experience letter?
An experience letter is the organisation’s statement of facts: your post, your dates and your conduct. A recommendation letter is an individual’s opinion of your ability, with examples, addressed to a reader deciding whether to admit or hire you.
Can I write my own recommendation letter?
Some referees ask for a draft. If so, write only what is true and let them edit it; it is sent under their name and they may be contacted about it. Universities that collect letters directly from the referee’s email expect the referee to submit it.