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Letter of Recommendation
Format and Preparing a
Letter
by
ResumeEdge.com
- The Net's Premier
Resume Writing and
Editing Service
If you have been asked
to write a letter of
recommendation --
whether by a student or
employee -- you must
first make sure that you
feel comfortable with
the task. If you feel
you are not familiar
enough with the
individual's performance
or work style, let
him/her down gently. A
vague, lukewarm letter
is invariably a
disservice to the
applicant.
Even if you do feel
familiar enough with the
individual's work to
write the letter, it is
always a good idea to
request extra materials,
to conduct a brief
interview, or both.
EXTRA
MATERIALS
If the applicant has not
already done so, ask for
extra materials that can
give you a better sense
of the individual's
direction, focus,
accomplishments, and
future plans. Materials
particularly useful for
letters about academic
applicants include
transcripts, papers and
writing samples, a copy
of the Personal
Statement, and/or a
resume. The job
applicants can submit a
professional resume, a
description of the
coveted job, and
summaries of projects
completed.
THE
INTERVIEW
Such an interview gives
the applicant a chance
to rehash his/her
accomplishments, and it
gives you the
opportunity to get a
better sense of the
person's past
experiences and
aspirations. This, in
turn, leads to a more
tailored letter -- and,
the more tailored the
letter, the more
convincing it is.
The interview should
help you to clarify a
number of points:
1. The Purpose of
the Letter.
Ask the
applicant about
short-term and
long-term goals,
choice of school
program or job, and
reasons behind this
choice.
2. The
Applicant's Main
Accomplishments.
Ask the applicant
about major
achievements, and
how they relate to
their choice of
program or job.
3. The
Applicant's Main
Qualities.
Ask the applicant
for a short list of
adjectives
describing his/her
temperament and work
style. If the letter
of recommendation
form specifically
asks you to address
the applicant's
weaknesses, ask the
individual to
pinpoint areas of
weakness that could
be addressed through
the program or job.
4. Anything Else
the Applicant Would
Like to Bring Up.
Make sure you give
the applicant the
opportunity to bring
up any information
which might be
relevant to the
letter of
recommendation.
5. Practical
Information.
Make sure you are
clear on the
deadline, how many
copies/versions the
applicant needs, and
exactly where the
finished letters
must be sent.
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