Professional Reference Letters and Application Letters
Recommendation for Laura Woods
It is my pleasure to recommend Laura Woods for employment with your organization. I have known Laura for over two years during which time she worked as a communications assistant in my office.
I have been consistently impressed with Laura’s attitude and productivity during the time that she has worked in the office.
Laura is both very bright and quite motivated. I am confident that she will devote herself to a position with your organization with a high degree of diligence. She is a quick learner and has shown the ability to digest large volumes of information. Ms. Woods has demonstrated the ability to articulate information and ideas in both the verbal and written forms.
Laura has also been effective in her efforts to engage the media we outreach to. She has been able to write interesting press releases and articles and convince editors to publish those pieces. Ms. Woods is willing to take risks. She will reach out to people and involve them with projects. I particularly appreciate Laura’s willingness to take initiative to help the office serve its constituents more fully.
I recommend Woods without reservation. I am confident that she will establish productive relationships with your staff and constituents.
Please let me know if you have need for additional information about this outstanding young woman.
Sincerely,
FirstName LastName
Manager
ABCD Company
818-580-5888
email@abcd.com
Sample Reference Letter from a Teacher
I am writing this reference at the request of Katie Kingston who is applying for Student Volunteer Program at St. Francis Hospital this summer.
I have known Katie for two years in my capacity as a teacher at Smithtown Middle School School. Katie took English and Spanish from me and earned superior grades in those classes. Based on Katie’s grades, attendance and class participation, I’d rate Katie’s academic performance in my class as superior.
Katie has a number of strengths to offer an employer. Katie is always interested in supporting others. For example, this year when we worked on our class community service project, Katie was helpful to me in collecting and organizing the food for the food pantry here in Smithtown.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Katie Kingston. If her performance in my class is any indication of how she’d perform in your position, Katie will be a positive addition to your organization. If you should ever need any additional information you can feel free to contact me at 555-5555 or by email at email@email.com anytime.
Sincerely,
Susan Samuels
Teacher, Smithtown Middle School
Sample Personal Reference Letter
I am writing to recommend Ariel Jones for a position with the Town of Smithtown. I have known Ariel since she was a child and she is a highly qualified candidate for a position in town government. She has lived in Smithtown for most of her life, she is involved in her local community, her church, and her children’s schools.
Ariel has shown her commitment to the town as a Member of the Board of Appeals, and as an active participant in many community endeavors.
Ariel would be a tremendous asset to the town and I recommend her to you without reservation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Mary Smith
Application letter
Dear Ms. Wood, I am writing to apply for a summer work-experience position at the Seattle Times. I read the Times as often as possible for its high-quality, original reporting and, given my enthusiasm, diligence, and editorial experience, I would provide a fresh perspective to the newspaper. My time with publications such as the Husky Herald has given me valuable experience in print media. Having worked at the Herald as a copy editor, staff writer, section editor, managing editor, and now editor-in-chief, I have exposed myself to a variety of responsibilities and challenges. I understand the pressures of writing and editing under deadline, I can give and receive orders, I can write and edit articles in different tones, styles, and genres, and I can work with and lead a group. Most important, I have learned that I enjoy working in a creative journalistic environment, in both an editing and a writing capacity. The two inform each other and, since I enjoy and practice both, I feel in a capable position to pursue them equally. My studies, too, are preparing me to pursue print journalism. As a Media and Communication Studies major, I take one writing class each quarter, meet with working writers, and will create an extended final writing project. The concentration provides the theoretical counterweight to my practical experience with the Herald: through writing classes, I can practice the craft of longform journalism, with more time, more revisions, and more word length than a weekly newspaper can allow. For these reasons, I know I would both learn from and contribute to the Seattle Times as an intern. I would relish the opportunity to work for you this summer. Enclosed is a copy of my résumé for your review. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, (sign here)
Your Name
Enclosure
Application:
Sample Job Promotion Cover Letter
Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name,
I would like to formally apply for the Assistant Communications Manager position in the Corporate Communications Department. As you are aware, I have extensive experience with the company starting when I participated in the summer editorial intern program while I was in college.
Since then I have held positions in the both the Human Resources and Marketing departments. During my tenure I have developed exceptional writing and editing skills, and have designed and implemented communications strategies on a departmental level.
I have a demonstrated ability to work collegially with leaders across business units and lines of business. In addition, I have been responsible for benefits communications, employee relations, as well as liaisoning with the company’s clients and vendors.
These are just a few examples of my accomplishments. I hope that you will find that this brief view, in combination with the attached resume, describe a dedicated employee of ABCD with the experience and skills to meet or exceed the requirements of the position of Assistant Communications Manager.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to discussing this opportunity for promotion with you at your convenience.
Best Regards,
Your Name