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Letter of Recommendation - LOR - LOR Format

Written by  Rachit Agrawal

Reviewed by  Priyanka Bhargava

Published: Mon, September 30, 2019 9:30 AM IST  Updated: Mon, September 30, 2019 9:30 AM IST  9 mins read

Letter of Recommendation - LOR - LOR Format

Written by  Rachit Agrawal

Reviewed by  Priyanka Bhargava

Published: Mon, Sep 30, 2019 9:30 AM IST  Updated: Mon, Sep 30, 2019 9:30 AM IST  9 mins read
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LOR Format

Letter of Recommendation

A letter of Recommendation is a very interesting add – on to your CV. It boosts your profile by talking about your excellent work in an association. There are various kinds of letters of Recommendation like for job interviews, students, teachers, etc. The template of a letter is decided according to the task or job. 

Here are the types of templates:

  • Student, College, Teacher LOR
  • Employment LOR (friend, co-worker)
  • Internship LOR (company, employer)

Types of LOR (Letter of Recommendation)

There are mainly 3 types of LOR. One is professional, one is academic and the last one is personal. In a professional letter, it talks about a person’s qualification while in an academic; the letter describes a person’s academic aptitude and knowledge. We will cover certain things that must be included in LOR.

Academic LOR

For an Academic LOR, try to focus on the specifics. If it is for a particular school or college, ask the candidates for details. Let us look at some of the points for writing a letter of recommendation:

  • Collect information
  • Explain how you know the candidate
  • Remain positive
  • Include specific examples about the skills of the candidate

Sample

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this reference for Sally Sullivan, a student I was fortunate to work with during her senior year at Newton College. As both Sally’s academic advisor and professor of Children's Literature, I have watched her grow into a passionate and knowledgeable teacher.

A natural in the classroom, Sally has worked with students in both inclusive classrooms as well as individually, focusing on their special needs in reading and writing. 

Sally is a patient and compassionate teacher and is the ideal candidate for your special education graduate program. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have regarding Sally at 555-123-2567 or email, [email protected]

Sincerely,

Laurie Gallo

Education Department Chair

Newton College

Professional LOR

This letter of recommendation is usually written for job placements and job interviews. If you’re the one writing the letter, make sure to be right about all the details. 

Tips to write a Professional LOR:

  • Get all information about the candidate
  • Connect the candidate to the job
  • Use examples
  • Edit the final draft

Sample

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I’m writing to recommend Sam Burton for the position of retail sales associate at Opex Technology. I’ve worked with Sam for the past five years at Bath Supplies Plus in Springfield, and I’ve always been impressed with his talent to handle customers and to work well with his colleagues.

I have been Sam’s manager for the five years he has worked with us. He greets customers with a smile, and his skill is such that he is always able to answer their questions. His sales numbers increase rapidly, and we’re sad to lose him as an employee, but we're glad that he’ll be moving to your city.

Sam would be an excellent addition to your sales team. Hence, I believe he’s ready for an entry-level management position. He has an excellent bond with his co-workers, and they enjoy working with him.I'm confident that he will be excellent as a shift-supervisor or assistant manager.

You can contact me by email ([email protected]) or cell phone (555-555-5555) if you have any questions.

Sincerely

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Typed Name


Also Read: Letter of Recommendation: Updated LOR Sample for All courses in 2020


Letter of Recommendation Format

The format of an LOR is very specific and simple. It talks about your skill and your hard-working journey. Let us look at some important tips for the format of Letter of Recommendation:

  • Mention the name of the candidate
  • What you know about the candidate
  • Talk about their qualities
  • Give your insights
  • Give your contact details

Also Read: How to Write an LOR for MS?


[Today’s Date]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To whomsoever it May Concern],

I am writing to recommend [candidate's full name] for [job/course you're recommending for].

I have known [candidate's full name] since [date] as [capacity in which you’ve known the person].

I have always known [person you’re recommending] to be [qualities the person has].

Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [candidate's full name] for [thing you’re recommending them for].

Sincerely,

[Your Name + Signature]

Profile evaluation

Letter of Recommendation Format for MS

Letter of Recommendation Format for MS is interesting and important to follow. In the letter of recommendation, it is essential to include your experience and achievements. Let us look at some pointers one can include in a letter of recommendation:

  • The font of the letter should be formal and clear.
  • Knowledge about leadership skills
  • The letter can also include things of your candidate’s interest and strengths
  • Give your insights
  • Give your contact details

[Today’s Date]

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./To whomsoever it May Concern],

I am writing to recommend [candidate's full name] for [MS Course].

I have known [candidate's full name] since [date] as [capacity in which you’ve known the person].

I have always known [candidate's full name] to be [qualities the person has].

Based on our experience together, I can confidently recommend [candidate's full name] for [MS Course abroad].


Also Read: LOR Sample


Letter of Recommendation for Student

A letter of recommendation for students is very important to apply for various jobs and internships. The letters are usually given by college professors for candidate’s graduate school application. Let us look at some of the tips for student LOR:

  • Collect information
  • Explain how you know the candidate
  • Remain positive
  • Include specific examples about the skills of the candidate

In a student LOR, the letter is divided into 4 paragraphs ranging to 400 words.

  1. In the first paragraph, write the details about the candidate and the college or university name he is from. Also include the number of years he/she has been associated with you. As a professor, you must also write what all subjects you taught and the name of projects undertaken.
  2. In the second paragraph, mention your project, seminar, workshop, internship, etc. Ask your professor to include your strengths and skills in these projects that impressed them.
  3. In the third paragraph, quote 1 or 2 incidents that have impressed your classmates and professors. It can be classroom discussions where you asked an interesting question or answered one to clear everyone’s doubt. Make sure that your recommender talks about your entrepreneurship skills and leadership skills as well.
  4. In the fourth paragraph, as a professor, you can include the candidate’s skills in extra co-curricular activities and achievements. As usual, end your letter with Name, designation, contact details (phone no. , email address), department, college/university name.

Letter of Recommendation for Internship

A letter of recommendation for an internship is a written character reference written by your past employer or college faculty. It is easy to get internships as some of them are jobs without payment. Let us look at some of the tips which must be considered:

  • Include a short description of the candidate’s qualities and strength
  • Focus on writing about a candidate’s positive characteristics
  • You can write an anecdote or incidents to support the candidate’s skills
  • Give your insights
  • Give your contact details

Format

To Whom This May Concern, 

My name is __________________ [recommender name] and proud to offer my recommendation of __________________ [candidate's full name] to whom I have personally known for (no. of years/months) years at __________________ [location]. 

During my relationship with __________________ [candidate's name] I have experienced (he/she) who shows up earlier than asked, works hard, and carries (herself/himself) in a polite, respectable manner. In addition, __________________ [candidate's full name] is remarkably gifted at getting the most out of others while always maintaining a positive attitude. Therefore, it is without reservation that I recommend __________________ [candidate's full name] for this internship position.  

For any queries, feel free to contact me.

Best, 

Signature ______________________ Date _________________ 

Telephone __________________

E-Mail __________________

FAQs

✅ How do you write an LOR?

Ans: A LOR is written by your recommender, it can help you get a job or a course. While writing an LOR one must keep in mind to write about the candidate’s skills, how long they have known them and their strengths. LORs for different courses and jobs have different formats given above.

✅ What should be included in an LOR?

Ans: They should provide:

  • Your resume details (it helps the company to have a quick outlook to your past experiences)
  • The name of your target university/course/internship
  • Personal achievements and skills of the candidate
  • Specific characters you would like the institute or company to know about the candidate.
  • Your rapport with the candidate and duration.

✅What is a LOR certificate?

Ans: A letter of recommendation is given to companies and universities so that you get a job or course in your desired field of interest.

✅ Should LOR be on letterhead?

Ans: Yes, if you’re taking the LOR from a university professor, it is recommended to print on the university letterhead. It gives weightage to the letter of recommendation and proves its authenticity and quality. For jobs and internships, a normal letter of recommendation is accepted in companies but the one with letterheads has more chances of attracting the application.

✅ How do you thank me for the reference?

Ans: You can thank your recommender through email, thank you note or a traditional letter. If you’re hired for the job the letter of recommendation was written for, you can thank them by saying, “I got the job, thank you”. Similarly, you can write thank you notes to your company/college for their LOR in a formal way.

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About the Author & Expert

Avatar

Rachit Agrawal

author • MBA • 2 years

Rachit believes in the power of education and has studied from the top institutes of IIIT Allahabad, IIM Calcutta, and Francois Rabelias in France. He has worked as Software Developer with Microsoft and Adobe. Post his MBA, he worked with the world's # 1 consulting firm, The Boston Consulting Group across multiple geographies US, South-East Asia and Europe.