How Long Should a Letter of Recommendation Be?
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Letters of recommendation allow people to advocate for candidates' skillsets they may bring to a university, business or internship. The quality of a reference letter may make the difference between landing a career-launching role and missing out on an incredible opportunity. They should be concise and leave room for additional questioning.
A letter of recommendation, also called a reference letter or referral, is a required component of many applications. It allows someone other than the candidate to describe the candidate’s abilities and skills.?
People choosing who should fill a role may use a letter of recommendation to learn more about their candidates, influencing their decision. As such, these letters are significant, and candidates must have high-quality references to have the hope of landing their desired opportunities.
What is a Letter of Recommendation?
Letters of recommendation are letters someone may write to advocate for another person hoping to obtain a specific role.?
Also called a letter of reference or a reference letter, a letter of recommendation allows writers to assess the characteristics, qualities, abilities and skills of the person receiving the recommendation.?
A person that needs a letter of recommendation will usually ask someone they trust or have professional experience working with to write the letter. Common options may include:
The person writing the letter must know the candidate well to write an honest, specific recommendation. As executive resume writer?Jessica Hernandez?advises, candidates looking for new professional positions?must reach out to their network. This may include asking for a recommendation from trusted mentors or colleagues.?
The candidate must choose the right person to refer them based on the role or position they hope to land.
Providing a copy of the role description or requirements and a resume is a great idea to ensure the letter focuses on the right skills and achievements.?
When is a Letter of Recommendation Necessary?
People may need a letter of recommendation when applying to coveted positions, such as:
These letters allow hiring managers or decision-makers to determine if a certain person is the best option for a role or opportunity.?
By having writers discuss experience, academic or professional highlights and personal attributes, candidates increase their chances of landing the role.?
How Long Should a Reference Letter Be?
Each letter of recommendation has varied requirements based on the content and the role. However, a typical reference letter should be a brief three or four paragraphs. This means one to two single-spaced pages is most appropriate.?
The first paragraph will introduce the candidate. It should mention their name and desired position. This paragraph should also introduce the person writing the letter with their name and current role.
The next section should contain the body paragraphs, where the writer can provide in-depth information about the candidate. These paragraphs should be the bulk of the letter.?
The main paragraphs here should mention:
The last paragraph should include the biggest reasons that the candidate may be an asset to the company or school and why the writer recommends them for the role.
What Should You Include in a Letter of Recommendation?
While the focus of a reference letter is on the candidate, there is a basic pattern that many letters will follow.?
A solid letter of recommendation must have:
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Provide the Writer's Contact Information
Referrers should mention their full name, job title and company name at the beginning of the letter. This clarifies who they are and how they know the candidate.?
Decision-makers may need to reach out to the letter writer to discuss the candidate more or ask questions. Including contact information, such as an email address or phone number, will make this easier.?
State the Candidate’s Name and Desired Role
A writer should restate the candidate’s name and the role the letter will refer to so that the recipient knows what the letter is about before they begin reading.?
A simple way to do this is with a single sentence, like “I recommend [candidate] for the role of [title] at [company or school name].”?
Use Specific Anecdotal Stories
Instead of simply telling the recipient about the candidate’s accomplishments, show them with the use of stories. Specific stories about instances that demonstrated skills, abilities or experience are powerful.?
For example, “Jane is an excellent communicator and works well with students” doesn’t offer much information to the reader. Instead, you could say, “When Jane was my teaching assistant in the fall semester of 2021, she was an invaluable asset when assisting students that had questions regarding assignments or scores as we approached the university’s final exam period. Her active listening and nonverbal communication skills provided the students with confidence and encouraged a welcoming, constructive environment in the classroom that motivated others to succeed.”
Provide Information on the Candidate’s Character and Skillset
Discussing the candidate’s personal qualities and skills should be the letter's focus. This is where using stories with specific examples becomes crucial.
Writers should consider which skills, qualities and attributes are most important in the role the candidate wants to obtain. Developing?a list of options and outlining?how they wish to explain the different traits will help organize these thoughts and ideas.?
Talk About Why the Candidate Should Obtain the Role?
When discussing a candidate, it is essential to relate every story or statement to the overall goal of the candidate obtaining the role.?
Ensure that everything mentioned within the body paragraphs is useful to decision-makers and always helps them see how the candidate is an excellent fit. Letter writers should know the candidates well enough to discuss their potential and professional capabilities.
Craft a Powerful Conclusion?
The conclusion in a reference letter allows the writer to mention a few of the most important qualities or attributes a candidate may bring to the role. It also is an opportunity to restate skills or highlight specific accomplishments related to the position’s description and requirements.?
The last paragraph is vital in a letter of recommendation because it is the final chance to sell the candidate. Include a sentence at the end that encourages the decision-makers to reach out with further questions.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Reference Letter Concise and Professional
Remember that the candidate’s fate is partially in your hands when someone requests a letter of recommendation, so take this responsibility seriously. Writers should always look at the position description and the candidate’s resume to tailor each letter to the person’s background and skills.?
Before sending a referral letter, writers must proofread to check for formatting or grammar errors. Ask a trusted colleague to review the letter (or read it aloud yourself) to help with this process.
Keep the letter focused and concise to ensure the recipient’s attention is never lost. Additionally, always use professional verbiage and language.?
Top Takeaways
How long should a letter of recommendation be??
(Reporting by NPD)