How you can Write a Letter of Advice [+ Free Template]

I’ve been serving to folks create letters of advice for jobs they need, internships, promotions, and extra, for over ten years. I’ve realized throughout this time that in the event you’re not promoting your self successfully, you received’t make a long-lasting impression.

A suggestion letter differs from a resume or a canopy letter as a result of it comes from somebody who is aware of you effectively, so it ought to really feel extra private.

Learn additional to find how you can write a letter of advice that can assist you land the job or alternative you’ve been dreaming of.

Desk of Contents

Try this free letter of advice template to get began.

Letter of Advice Format

1. Date

Together with a date is necessary for establishing the validity of a letter of advice.

Use the particular date that corresponds with the candidate’s final day at a corporation and even a while after they labored with the author of the letter of advice.

Should you’re asking for a letter of advice from a coworker or boss whereas nonetheless employed, you’ll want to tread calmly as most employers received’t be thrilled to suggest you to a job whenever you’re leaving.

Should you do belief that they’re okay recommending you, regardless of leaving the corporate, go forward and put that day’s date.

2. Recipient’s Info

Write out the title, place, and firm of the particular person the letter of advice goes to. Or, in the event you’re undecided what firms you’ll be making use of your letter of advice to, be at liberty to maintain this part generic so you’ll be able to fill it out later as alternatives come up.

3. Introductions

Introduce the author of the letter of advice. Bear in mind, use the primary particular person (whether or not you’re the particular person writing the letter of advice, or the receiver making a draft).

Go forward and listing their areas of experience, schooling, present title, and the rest relevant. If the author is a earlier supervisor you’ll wish to listing their place, how lengthy they’ve been on the firm and their schooling. You also needs to say how lengthy they’ve labored with or recognized you.

4. Efficiency and {Qualifications}

Use this part to speak in regards to the dedication of the letter’s requester in your group. You

can even point out their most notable traits, abilities, and skills via adjectives.

This part is the majority of your letter and a very powerful half. Bear in mind, your boss/coworker/buddy can put their very own spin on what you say within the letter, you’re simply giving them an concept of what you’d like included.

Ask your self these questions when penning this part:

1. How can I inform the story of my accomplishments?
2. What private particulars should be included?
3. What motivates me?
4. What challenges have I overcome?
5. What are my most related abilities?
6. Why do I wish to work at this firm or apply to this college?
7. What makes me a great match for this position?

Right here’s an instance of what answering these questions may appear to be:

“Jane Doe turned my worker in 2016 after transferring from the Gross sales division. She is extraordinarily motivated by sales-centric objectives, worker satisfaction, and selecting ways that ship a excessive return on funding.

In my time working with Jane Doe, I’ve watched her sort out difficult tasks, resembling when our startup was purchased out by a much bigger model.

She made certain every member of her crew transitioned seamlessly whereas additionally nonetheless assembly her quarterly objectives, an accomplishment that just one different crew on the firm achieved throughout this time.

Her background in gross sales has made her a pleasant crew participant, a sensible monetary decision-maker, and an influential chief. She can be a superb match for any position that wants somebody who’s going to fulfill hard-to-reach targets, lead a crew to excellence, and preserve group.

In my time working with Jane Doe, I’ve typically used her as my go-to-person as a result of I do know she is each dependable and hard-working.”

Don’t overlook to write down this part within the first particular person, and don’t be afraid to essentially promote your self and your achievements!

Should you’re not snug with being this particular, right here’s an instance that leaves area for the author to place in their very own ideas.

“[NAME] turned my worker in [YEAR] after transferring from [DEPARTMENT]. She is extraordinarily motivated [ENTER PERSONAL QUALITIES].

In my time working with [NAME], I’ve watched her sort out difficult tasks, resembling [PAST PROJECT(S)]. [SENTENCE ABOUT WAS DONE WELL].

Their background in [ENTER BACKGROUND] has made them [FAVORABLE PERSONAL QUALITIES]. They might be a superb match for any position that wants [DESCRIPTION OF ROLE THEY’RE APPLYING FOR].

In my time working with [NAME], [DESCRIPTION OF HOW WE’VE WORKED TOGETHER IN PAST].”

5. Contact Info

Lastly, you’ll be able to shut this letter wishing the applicant luck of their new skilled stage. Most significantly, present detailed contact data, as interviewers might want to verify the knowledge supplied on this doc.

How lengthy ought to a letter of advice be?

Like a canopy letter or a resume, a letter of advice needs to be about one web page lengthy. I’ve typically erred on the aspect of shorter than longer since you actually can say every part it’s good to in a single web page.

Should you’re having a tough time whittling your letter of advice down to 1 web page, take into account asking a buddy with writing expertise to edit it all the way down to a very powerful particulars, and even utilizing AI instruments that will help you.

Writing your letters of advice from scratch may be time-consuming and tough. Obtain your free suggestion template (pictured beneath) right here as a Google Docs or Microsoft Phrase file.

The free HubSpot letter of advice template provides you:

• Compatibility with Phrase or Google Docs
• Simply identifiable area to explain the skills, attitudes, and abilities of the particular person you’re recommending by following the template construction
• The potential to edit the letter to align together with your firm’s company picture
• Choices to print or ship the letter of advice in your required format

Strive filling out every clean a part of the template with the relevant data. It would then start to look one thing like this instance:

Generic Worker Letter of Advice Pattern

[New York City, April 15, 2024]

[Mr. James Big]

[Chief of Business Operations]

[VIC or Very Important Company]

To whom it might concern:

Please settle for my heat greetings. Because the CEO at Enterprise Worldwide, it’s a nice pleasure for me to supply this employment reference letter for Jane Doe, who has served as Head of Gross sales.

She has labored at this firm for 5 years. Throughout that point, I’ve confirmed that Jane has the required expertise to hold out her job to the very best requirements of the corporate and with the values that I take into account important.

At Enterprise Worldwide, Jane has proven curiosity and effectivity within the duties of Head of Gross sales. Given our working relationship, I’ve noticed that she is extraordinarily motivated by sales-centric objectives, worker satisfaction, and selecting ways that ship a excessive return on funding.

She made certain every member of her crew transitioned seamlessly whereas additionally nonetheless assembly her quarterly objectives, an accomplishment that just one different crew on the firm achieved throughout this time. Her background in gross sales has made her a pleasant crew participant, a sensible monetary decision-maker, and an influential chief.

She can be a superb match for any position that wants somebody who’s going to fulfill hard-to-reach targets, lead a crew to excellence, and preserve group. In my time working with Jane Doe, I’ve typically used her as my go-to lady as a result of I do know she is each dependable and hard-working.

It is for that reason that I extremely suggest her to your organization, as I’ve witnessed how the response to her assignments has added worth and development to our firm, simply as I’m certain she is going to be capable to contribute to the brand new group the place she is going to work.

This letter is prolonged on the request of Jane Doe for the needs that greatest swimsuit her.

Thanks,

[Rebecca Johnson]

[CEO]

[Business International]

[businessinternational.org / rebeccaj@businessinternational.com / 123-456-7891]

It is a good place to begin however nonetheless fairly generic, as a result of whenever you learn this letter of advice, you’re not tremendous certain that the author really is aware of who it’s being despatched to.

It feels extra like a basic suggestion of Jane, as an alternative of somebody who is aware of her very effectively recommending her for a particular job. It feels generic as a result of it lacks necessary particulars about Jane’s efficiency and her work character.

Let’s spice it up a bit. Right here’s one other pattern that’s been adjusted to higher describe Jane and what she does for the corporate:

Higher Worker Letter of Advice Pattern

[New York City, April 15, 2024]

[Mr. James Big]

[Chief of Business Operations]

[VIC or Very Important Company]

Mr. James Large,

Because the CEO of Enterprise Worldwide, it’s a nice pleasure to supply this employment reference letter for Jane Doe, who has labored for 5 years as Head of Gross sales at Enterprise Worldwide.

I’m thrilled to suggest Ms. Jane Doe to your group. As you learn additional, you will see she can be an important asset to any group searching for a excessive performing Head of Gross sales.

Throughout our previous 5 years, I’ve watched Jane flourish as she’s moved from a buyer success supervisor into her position as Head of Gross sales, managing a crew of twenty gross sales associates. About three years in the past, our startup firm was purchased by Enterprise Worldwide, and Jane took the transition in stride.

She led the best way for her crew throughout the transition by guaranteeing every crew member onboarded their new position and duties, labored with workers we gained throughout the transition, and even nonetheless met her quarterly gross sales objectives. In reality, she was one in all solely two departments that also met their objectives throughout the transition section.

Jane’s background in gross sales has made her a pleasant crew participant, a sensible monetary decision-maker, and an influential chief. I’ve typically used Jane as my go-to lady as a result of I do know once I give her a job, she received’t simply meet my expectations however will slightly wow me along with her ingenuity and inventive problem-solving.

I’ve heard firsthand from Jane’s clients simply how beloved and appreciated she is. One buyer even raved about her persistence in fixing an issue he had with billing.

Jane went above and past to make sure the shopper’s downside was solved whereas additionally forging a powerful relationship that has led to buyer retention and referrals. Jane maintains a 95% buyer retention charge, one of many highest at our firm.

Because of this, I extremely suggest her to your organization. I’m certain Jane will be capable to contribute significantly to VIC, and I’m excited to observe her profession trajectory.

Thanks,

[Rebecca Johnson]

[CEO]

[Business International]

[businessinternational.org / rebeccaj@businessinternational.com / 123-456-7891]

Did you discover that this letter of advice felt much more private?

It nonetheless makes use of the fundamental parts that each letter of advice ought to have, however there’s much more consideration to element, together with storytelling and necessary statistics. Whenever you write a letter of advice for your self or another person, embrace plenty of particulars to keep away from sounding generic.

Try HubSpot’s information on storytelling to get a greater concept of what story your letter of advice ought to inform.

4. Get private.

Take into consideration the one that will write and log out in your suggestion letter.

What are a few of your greatest reminiscences with this particular person? Had been there lengthy lunches the place you talked about shared pursuits, or conferences the place they made you are feeling valued? Take into consideration what their favourite reminiscences with you might need been.

That is one part the place you’ll positively wish to jog their reminiscence to get a private story or high quality of yours that they recognize. Be happy to listing a few of your favourite moments for them to reference in the event that they so select.

Use this free template every time you must begin over on a letter of advice. Should you want a number of letters, take into account having every tackle a singular side of your work or college expertise.