How to write a recommendation letter in the UK.

Picture this. You receive an email from a former employee or student asking for a letter of recommendation. You feel flattered, but quickly realise you don’t know exactly where to begin. Vouching for someone sounds simple enough, but what are the best steps to take?

Recommendation letters can help someone stand out in their job or university application. It’s a chance to shout about their work ethic, character and potential, giving the applicant an edge over their competition.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a letter of recommendation and the essential elements to include. Give the applicant a chance for success with Adobe Express.

Examples of recommendation letters.

Common types of recommendation letters.

While recommendation letters follow a certain structure, they can vary depending on who you’re writing the recommendation for and your relationship to them.

How to write a recommendation letter for an employee.

Whether it’s for a promotion or a new job, your recommendation letter should be a credible endorsement that showcases the employee’s professional strengths and accomplishments. Your tone should be professional and enthusiastic.

Focus on their achievements and emphasise the candidate’s potential, with measurable and accurate data to support your recommendation.

Example: “I am extremely pleased to recommend [applicant] for the position of [job role]. As [his/her] former [job role] at [company], I can attest that [applicant] is a hardworking and trustworthy employee.”

How to write a recommendation letter for a colleague.

As the applicant’s colleague, you can validate not only their skills and achievements, but also their reliability, attitude and work ethic. Ask them about the job description and tailor your recommendation letter to reflect their most notable qualities.

Keep your tone light and the information accurate and be mindful of lying or stretching the truth.

Example: “As [applicant’s] teammate at [company] for the past [number] years, I’ve benefited from [his/her] tireless work ethic, problem solving and ability to work under pressure. I would highly recommend [him/her] for the position of [job role].”

How to write a letter of recommendation for a friend.

Also known as a personal reference or a character reference, your letter of recommendation should sum up your personal experience with the applicant. Ask your friend what their goals and objectives are and use this information to inform your recommendation.

Include characteristics and skills that are most suitable for the position they’re applying for and emphasise their career growth.

Example: “It is my pleasure to offer my recommendation for [applicant] for the position of [job role] at [company]. As a family friend for [number] years, I have always known [him/her] to be a compassionate and highly driven person.”

5 tips for writing an effective recommendation letter in the UK.

If you’re writing a letter of recommendation, you’ll want to give the applicant the best chance to stand out to potential employers or admissions officers. Learn how to write a strong recommendation letter with our tips.

1. Do your research.

First, understand why you’re being asked to write the recommendation letter in the first place. Is it for a new job or for academic reasons? Ask for a copy of the job description or academic programme requirements. This will allow you to focus your recommendation letter on the traits that are specific to the role they’re applying for.

2. Use a standard letter format.

Make a good impression with a simple yet effective letter format. The structure can vary depending on whether it’s a character reference or standard recommendation letter, but the main components are usually the same. This includes a formal greeting, a concise introduction, a closing statement and a signature, followed by your contact information.

3. Keep it light, positive and professional.

Your letter of recommendation should confirm that the applicant is a strong contender, but this can fall flat if the tone is wrong. Keep your letter light and positive, yet formal and polite. Try to use words that will make an impact on the recipient and keep it as concise as possible.

4. Focus on key achievements and qualifications.

Relevance is key for any recommendation letter. Outline two or three achievements that are relevant to the job description or academic requirements and give examples. For example, if they’re applying for a management role, highlight their leadership skills. If you can include tangible or measurable information, such as hitting sales targets or winning awards, even better.

5. Follow the instructions.

You may write an effective and persuasive recommendation letter, but it would all be for nothing if you missed the deadline. Ask the applicant for any specific submission guidelines so you can better prepare. If possible, send over your letter early to make a good impression. This can potentially carry over to the applicant you’re endorsing.