Begin a letter of reference by stating how long you have known the person, and in what capacity. Use an evaluation of how well the person suits the position he or she is applying for. Point out the person's positive points and downplay the negative.

If you are an employer, and a company requests information on a former employee, you must respond. In this case, have the applicant telephone you. State your reservations calmly over the telephone. Don't make any accusations that you can't prove.

Letters of reference can be very important. Your credibility and the future of the person you are recommending depend on them. They deserve thought and care.

Emphasize key points that you want the reader to note on the applicant's resume or job application. Be sure to meaningfully elaborate, don't simply restate. Give specific examples to back up what you have said about the person's qualifications and character. Remember, generalized praise is a waste of space.

Unless it is absolutely relevant, do not state (directly or by implication) the applicant's race, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender or marital status. Don't be too brief. One or two short paragraphs are death to a recommendation letter. On the other hand, be succinct. Make every word count. Here is a rule of thumb: a letter of recommendation for employment should be one page; a letter of recommendation for school should be 1-2 pages.

Make the ending statement strong without overdoing it. Undo praise can be viewed as biased or insincere.


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