A strong recommendation letter is specific, honest and short. It tells the reader who you are, how you know the candidate, and what the candidate did, with proof.
The strengths and weakness (growth areas) below show what to highlight, and the builder after them helps you draft the letter.
AdvertisementIn the recommendation letter builder, choose what the letter is for, how you know the person, tap the strengths you have actually seen, add an area for growth only if asked, then edit the text and print or copy it.
10 Strengths to Highlight in a Recommendation Letter
| Strength | How to show it | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Work ethic | A time the person went beyond the task | When our software failed during a holiday week, Daniel built a manual tracking sheet overnight. |
| Problem-solving | A problem, the action and the result | When the lab results were inconsistent, Maya redesigned the procedure and repeated the trials. |
| Leadership | A project they led and the outcome | She organized a weekly study group of eight classmates. |
| Communication | A presentation, report or training | He trained six new hires, and each reached full speed in two weeks. |
| Teamwork | How they helped others succeed | During the launch, she covered two shifts so a teammate could attend a family event. |
| Adaptability | A change and how they responded | When the department merged, he learned the new system within a week. |
| Creativity | An idea they proposed and finished | She proposed a customer checklist that cut errors in half. |
| Time management | Deadlines met, with scope | He delivered all 12 monthly reports on time. |
| Technical skills | The tool or field, with a project | She built the club’s budget spreadsheet and trained others to use it. |
| Listening and professionalism | A disagreement handled well | He resolved a scheduling dispute by meeting with both sides. |
Areas for Growth: When and How to Mention Them
Most recommendation letters do not need weaknesses. If the reader asks, describe an area the person has worked on and the progress they have made. UC Berkeley’s guidance notes that readers also notice what a letter leaves out, and that negative comments can seriously affect a candidate. Never invent a weakness, and mention only one you have observed.
| Area for growth | How a recommender can frame it | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| High standards or perfectionism | Holds work to a very high standard and is learning to balance polish with deadlines; give the step taken | Calling it a flaw that hurt the team |
| Taking on a lot | Eager to help and is learning to prioritize; give the step taken | Hinting that the person is unreliable |
| Presenting to groups | Has worked to build confidence presenting; name how | Saying the person is shy or nervous |
| Delegating | Is learning to trust teammates with key tasks; give an example | Implying a lack of trust in people |
| Accepting feedback | Has become more open to feedback and acts on it; give an example | Labeling the person as defensive |
| Flexibility | Prefers clear plans and is growing more comfortable with change; give an example | Calling the person rigid |
Free Recommendation Letter Builder
Step 1. What is the letter for?
Step 2. How do you know the person?
Step 3. Tap the strengths you have really seen. Each adds a sentence you can fill in.
Step 4. Add an area for growth only if the reader asks for one.
Step 5. Click any text in the letter to edit it.
Replace every [bracket] with a real example you witnessed. Specific examples are what make a letter persuasive.
Job: match the letter to the job’s requirements, and ask the candidate for the job description and a current resume.
Internship or volunteer role: stress reliability, willingness to learn and specific examples of initiative.
College or graduate school: include how you know the student, grades or results, and how they compare with others you have taught.
As a manager: describe results the person delivered and how you know their work.
As a teacher or professor: name the course and cite specific papers, projects or participation.
As a colleague or mentor: say how closely you worked together, and avoid claims you did not see.
[Your Name]
[Your Title and Organization]
[Email | Phone]
[Date]
[Recipient Name or Admissions Committee]
[Organization]
Dear [Recipient Name]:
I am pleased to recommend [Name] for the [Job Title] position at [Company]. I was [Name]’s manager at [Organization] for [length of time], where [Name] worked as [role].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for the [Job Title] position at [Company]. I was [Name]’s [teacher or professor] for [course] at [School] during [term].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for the [Job Title] position at [Company]. I worked alongside [Name] at [Organization] for [length of time], where we [shared project or role].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for the [internship or volunteer role] at [Organization]. I supervised [Name] at [Organization] for [length of time].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for the [internship or volunteer role] at [Organization]. I taught [Name] in [course] at [School] during [term].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for the [internship or volunteer role] at [Organization]. I have known [Name] as a [mentor, coach or colleague] for [length of time].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for admission to [Program] at [University]. I was [Name]’s supervisor at [Organization] for [length of time].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for admission to [Program] at [University]. I taught [Name] in [course], where [Name] earned [grade] and ranked [position among peers, such as in the top 5 percent of students I have taught].I am pleased to recommend [Name] for admission to [Program] at [University]. I have known [Name] as a [mentor or coach] for [length of time].
[Name] consistently goes beyond what is asked. For example, [specific example of extra effort and its result].
[Name] solves problems calmly and creatively. When [situation], [Name] [action taken] and [result].
[Name] leads by example and brings others along. As [role or project], [Name] [what they did and the outcome].
[Name] explains complex ideas clearly, in writing and in person. For instance, [specific presentation, report or conversation].
[Name] is a generous collaborator. During [project], [Name] [how they supported the team and the result].
[Name] adapts quickly when plans change. When [change occurred], [Name] [response and outcome].
[Name] brings fresh ideas and follows through on them, such as [specific idea and result].
[Name] manages deadlines well. [Example of delivering on time, with the scope or number involved].
[Name] has strong skills in [tool, subject or field], shown by [specific project or result].
[Name] listens well and handles disagreements professionally. For example, [specific situation].
If I were to name an area of growth, [Name] holds work to a very high standard and has been learning to balance polish with deadlines. [Name] [specific step taken], and the results have improved.
[Name] is eager to help and has been learning to prioritize and say no so that quality stays high. [Specific step taken], and the results show it.
[Name] has worked to build confidence presenting to groups. [Specific step, such as volunteering to present or practicing with feedback], and [Name] has grown steadily.
I recommend [Name] without reservation for this opportunity. Please contact me at [phone or email] if you would like more detail.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
To save: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the letter prints. To copy part of it, select the text and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
How to Write a Strong Recommendation Letter
- Decide if you can write it honestly. UC Berkeley’s guidance says to recommend someone only if you can do so honestly and positively. If you cannot, decline and suggest a better-placed reference.
- Get the background. Ask for a current resume, the job or program description and what the person is proud of.
- Introduce yourself and the relationship. Say who you are, how long you have known the person and in what role.
- Choose three or four strengths that fit the opportunity, and put the strongest first.
- Prove each strength with an example. A project, a result, a number or a short story works better than adjectives. The University of Arizona warns that a form letter can do more harm than good.
- Close clearly. State your recommendation, say why the person is a strong match and give your contact details.
Sample Recommendation Letters
Dear Ms. Alvarez:
I am pleased to recommend Daniel Brooks for the Operations Coordinator position at Harbor Logistics. I was Daniel’s manager at Summit Supply for three years, where he worked as a dispatch associate.
Daniel consistently goes beyond what is asked. When our dispatch software failed during a holiday week, he built a manual tracking sheet overnight, and no shipment was missed. He also explains complex ideas clearly: he trained six new hires on our routing system, and each reached full speed within two weeks.
If I were to name an area of growth, Daniel holds his work to a very high standard and has been learning to balance polish with deadlines. He now sets a review time for each task, and his turnaround has improved.
I recommend Daniel without reservation. Please contact me at (555) 010-0188 if you would like more detail.
Sincerely,
Priya Shah
Operations Manager, Summit Supply
Dear Admissions Committee:
I am pleased to recommend Maya Chen for admission to the Biology program at Riverside University. I taught Maya in AP Biology at Lincoln High School during the 2025-26 school year, where she earned an A and ranked among the top 5 percent of students I have taught.
Maya solves problems calmly and creatively. When her lab group’s enzyme experiment produced inconsistent results, she redesigned the procedure, repeated the trials and presented the corrected data to the class. She is also a generous collaborator: she organized a weekly study group of eight classmates, and several of them improved their test scores.
I recommend Maya enthusiastically. Please contact me at (555) 010-0199 if you need more information.
Sincerely,
Jordan Reyes
AP Biology Teacher, Lincoln High School
What to Avoid
- Vague praise. Words like nice, good or satisfactory say little. Use facts and results.
- Gendered or personal adjectives in place of accomplishments. The University of Arizona suggests emphasizing accomplishments and professional contributions.
- Claims you did not witness. Write only about what you saw.
- Listing weaknesses unprompted. Only include one if asked, and frame it as growth.
- Writing a letter you cannot stand behind. Decline politely instead.
- Typos in names or titles. Our free proofreading service can check your letter.
Recommendation Letter Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your letter is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a recommendation letter be?
About one page for most jobs. The University of Arizona’s career education team advises one page with an introduction, a few paragraphs on relevant strengths and a closing. For graduate programs, guidance from UC Berkeley says most letters need at least three paragraphs and may run to a second page. Check the length the program asks for.
Should a recommendation letter mention weaknesses?
Only if the reader asks for them. UC Berkeley’s guidance says to recommend a student only if you can do so honestly and positively, and the University of Arizona advises describing the steps a person has taken to improve rather than dwelling on negatives. Never invent a weakness, and only mention one you have seen.
Which strengths should I include?
Choose three or four that match the job or program and that you have seen in action. Each needs a specific example, such as a project, a result or a number. Put the strongest points first.
What should I avoid saying?
Avoid vague words such as nice, good or satisfactory, and avoid gendered or personal adjectives such as caring or warm in place of accomplishments. Focus on work, results and examples. Do not exaggerate, because readers notice generic praise.
How should I end a recommendation letter?
Restate your recommendation in one clear sentence, say why the person is a strong match, and offer your contact details. Example: I recommend Maya without reservation, and I am happy to answer any questions.
Can I say no to writing one?
Yes. If you cannot honestly and wholeheartedly recommend the person, decline and suggest they ask someone better placed to write. A lukewarm letter can hurt more than no letter.
What should the candidate give me?
A current resume, a description of the job or program, the deadline, and what they are most proud of. The University of Arizona’s career education team suggests treating the letter as a collaboration with the candidate.
Is it a problem if my letter looks like a template?
A generic letter can do harm. Templates are fine as a starting point, but replace every bracket with a real example you witnessed, and rewrite lines in your own voice.
Related Reading
- Teacher recommendation letter sample and template
- College recommendation letter from a teacher
- College professor recommendation letter samples
- Recommendation letter for a colleague professor
- Sample letter of recommendation for a teaching position
- Sample strengths and weaknesses of an employee
- Teacher interview: strengths and weaknesses
Sources: University of Arizona, 7 tips for writing a winning letter of reference; UC Berkeley GSI Teaching & Resource Center, Writing letters of recommendation. Sample letters are fictional.