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Mbbs 18 Jul, 2025
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A letter of recommendation is a letter to a university or office. It is your acceptance of your potential, accomplishment, and promise, and an added background on the topic mentioned on your resume or application.
LOR, or Letter of Recommendation, is technically a letter of recommendation written by your friend who knows you in person. Your educator, instructor, or boss (e.g.) describes your potential, strengths, and personality, and explains why you would be the greatest candidate for a particular school, career, scholarship, or area of study. It's someone else's way of defending you and telling your story in his/her own voice.
It is a very significant part of your application because it lends a lot of credibility to the claim that has been placed against you. It indicates that there are individuals who believe in you and even in what you are capable of doing.
A letter of recommendation, or an LOR, is indeed a personal letter of recommendation. It is a letter from your immediate manager, teacher, professor, or boss. The letter discusses your strengths, qualities, and accomplishments, and why you would be the best candidate for a school, job, or program you are applying for.
A letter of recommendation is a short description of the person. An LOR tells them about you. It gives them a third-party view of your work ethic, interpersonal skills, and character. It makes you stand out and distinctive as an individual, perhaps a more desirable option than the person ahead of you in the employment/acceptance queue. Your turn once more to prove the world that you are as much as you claim to be!
Your recommender or "writer" of your LOR is someone who should be familiar enough with you to scribble your strengths and about you.
For Staff Members (new job or promotion seeking): Most likely would be your immediate present job title, upper, senior staff member, or supervisor, who worked directly with you. They can attest to your work capability, team player quality, and worth to the company.
A good LOR has a straightforward format so that everything is kept straightforward.
Recommender's Information: Recommender's name, company or organization name, job title or position, and contact information (phone number, e-mail address).
Date: Date stamp when signing.
Recipient Information: Recipient's name if available, department or title (e.g., "Admissions Committee," "Hiring Manager").
Salutation: Formal salutation, e.g., "Dear Admissions Committee" or "To Whom It May Concern."
Introduction: This sentence names the recommender, his/her relationship to you, and how long he/she has known you. It further explains the purpose of the letter (e.g., in an attempt to apply to [X program] or in an attempt to apply for [X job]).
Body Paragraphs: This is where your recommender provides you with actual examples of your gifts, skills, and accomplishments. They have to provide you with examples or anecdotes of you being a genius and not simply "they are hardworking." For instance, "Sarah consistently exceeded expectations by taking our school debate club to the finals every single year, with exceptional vision and leadership."
Conclusion: Brief and concise statement of the plain and fit vote of recommendation.
Closing: A Formal closing, such as "Sincerely," or "Regards."
Signature: Printed name of the recommender, in the case of a paper copy, and an electronic signature.
An LOR is written mainly by the head of the organization, the lead of the team, or the next higher member from your position.
LOR from teacher, guidance counselor, or principal for college, university, or scholarship application. Refers to academic excellence, school character, and learning above aptitude.
What it comprises:
Class attendance and class behavior
Interest in working with and curiosity towards studies
Problem-solving skills in academics
School club membership or an active school life activity
Personal maturity and personality development during school life
The Letter of Recommendation is accompanied by a manager, supervisor, or colleague on behalf of the career opportunity-seeking candidate for an internship, job, or vacancy-applying. This Letter of Recommendation is firm in work capability, ethics of work, and achievements.
What it comprises:
Technical skill (i.e., capability to perform), working in groups, communication
Problem-solving capacity at work
Reliability, work attitude, punctuality
Ability to lead, ability to work with others
Asking for an LOR is the first big step. Here is the way to request graciously and respectfully:
Ask Politely and Nicely: Nice letter, or in person. Ask politely, like, "Would you be so kind as to write me an outstanding Letter of Recommendation?"
Give Them Everything They'll Need: Don't leave them in the dark! Give them a "recommendation packet" with:
What you're applying for: (i.e., "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at XYZ University")
Why you're applying: (Your career goals, reason you're applying for this program/job)
Your Resume/CV: List of your experience, skills, and achievements.
Your Transcript (if student): Your transcript grades.
Anything else you would like them to have: (e.g., "Could they please have an assessment of how well I did on planning the science fair project?").
All deadlines: When the LOR should arrive.
How to send it: Online application, via email, or hard copy letter?
Waiver Form (student): Universities request that you waive the right to view the letter, keeping it confidential and in its original form in certain cases.
Remind Them Politely: Remind them politely three days before the deadline.
Say Thank You: Always send a thank you mail or note once they provide you with the LOR. It is a gesture of gratitude for the time and effort invested.
If ever requested to write an LOR, do the following:
Be Positive and Enthusiastic: Start with a positive recommendation statement.
Be Specific with Examples: Never use the generic sentence, "She's diligent," and instead, "She worked late at night to finish tasks and even chose to work overtime, such as..."
Emphasize Key Qualities: Recall what the other organization (company or school) wants and match the candidate's qualities with it.
Be Formal: Right tone of writing, right grammar, and neat sentences.
Be Honest: Jot down the positives of the candidate. If you can't write a good positive letter, then reject politely.
Proofread Properly: No mistakes or spelling mistakes!
Recommendation letter sample: Always have a look at the sample before writing
The letter of recommendation template for employees and the letter of recommendation template for students are more or less the same. Here's a basic Letter of Recommendation template you can follow:
[Your Recommender's Name] [Your Recommender's Title] [Your Recommender's School/Company Name] [Your Recommender's Address] [Your Recommender's Phone Number] [Your Recommender's Email Address]
[Date]
[Recipient's Name (if known), or "Admissions Committee", "Hiring Manager"] [Recipient's Title] [Recipient's Organization Name] [Recipient's Organization Address]
Subject: Letter of Recommendation for [Your Name]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name or Admissions Committee/Hiring Manager],
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Your Name] for [the specific program/position/opportunity]. I have known [Your Name] for [number] years in my capacity as [your recommender's relationship, e.g., "his/her Math teacher," "their direct supervisor at XYZ Company"].
During my time working with/teaching [Your Name], I have consistently been impressed by [mention 1-2 key positive traits, e.g., "their remarkable dedication and exceptional analytical skills"]. For example, [provide a specific, detailed example that highlights these traits and shows results. This is crucial!].
Furthermore, [Your Name] also demonstrated [another key skill or quality]. [Provide another specific example or anecdote that supports this skill. Make it strong and relevant to what the recipient is looking for.]. [You can add a third paragraph with another example or elaborate on two key ones].
[Your Name] possesses all the qualities necessary to [succeed in the program/excel in the role]. I am confident that [he/she/they] will be a valuable asset to [Recipient's Organization/University].
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
[Recommender's Handwritten Signature]
[Recommender's Typed Name] [Recommender's Title]
Listed below are few common mistakes to avoid in LOR
Asking At The Very Last Minute: This annoys your recommender and will more than likely result in a last-minute, subpar letter.
Not Giving Enough Details: Don't leave your recommender trying to recall everything. Give them all the background information they need.
The Wrong Recommender: The last person to serve as your best recommender is a friend or family member unless there is a very good, limited reason. Pick someone who can write effectively on your work or academic background.
Don't Follow Up: A friendly reminder is acceptable, but don't follow up on them every day. And don't thank them!
A good Letter of Recommendation is a BIG advantage in achieving your career or academic goal. Having already learned about it, why it's needed, and how to get one is already a victory!
