How to Write Reference Letters: 35 Ready-To-Use Letters

by Dianna Booher

From time to time, your friends, relatives, and business associates will need you to write character references, letters of recommendation, introduction to business colleagues, reference letters to college admission boards and committees, and nominations for awards.Writing that letter or email puts your friend, family member, or colleague in the limelight-and banks a favor for your own future. So don't let that task of phrasing a great letter keep you from helping someone in these situations. Get to the point immediately. Introduce or recommend the person in the first sentence or paragraph. Overview the person's association with you: In what capacity did you know this individual? How have you become aware of his or her skills, talent, character traits, contributions, or success? Avoid making exaggerated claims that will sound insincere and may set both parties up for disappointment. Close by expressing confidence that any future association between the reader and your friend, family member, or colleague will be mutually rewarding. With writing reference letters or letters of recommendation, you'll have a unique chance to do a favor for two people-with only a few strokes on your keyboard and a few minutes' time.If you'd like to make the reference letter writing process even easier, we can help even more. If you still can't find the right words for that special reference letter, try our professionally written package of ready-to-go recommendation letters.You'll find letters for these special situations: Types of Reference Letters or Recommendation Letters Supplying References for Students Supplying References for Graduate School Supplying References for Employees-Suitable Supplying References for Employees-Unsuitable Supplying Character References for Friends Introducing Relative to Potential Employer Nominating Candidate for Award/Recognition Recommending Guest Speaker Recommending Tenure Requesting Job References Requesting Personal Character References Declining to Supply Character Reference Declining to Supply Job References Declining to Make an Introduction

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2012

About the author

Dianna Booher, MA, CSP, CPAE, is CEO of Booher Research Institute, Inc., a communication consulting and coaching firm.. She works with organizations to help them communicate clearly and with individuals to increase their influence through a strong personal presence--and sometimes with a published book!

She's the author of 49 books (translated into 62 foreign-language editions) and has published with Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, Warner, Penguin Random House, McGraw-Hill, and Berrett-Koehler. Her latest books include:

-Faster, Fewer, Better Emails: Manager the Volume, Reduce the Stress, Love the Results

- Communicate Like a Leader: Connect Strategically to Coach, Inspire, and Get Things Done

- What More Can I Say?: Why Communication Fails and What to Do About It

- Creating Personal Presence:
Look, Talk, Think, and Act Like a Leader

- Communicate with Confidence:
How to Say it Right the First Time and Every Time
(Revised and Expanded Edition 2011)

- The Voice of Authority:
10 Communication Strategies Every Leader Needs to Know

- Booher’s Rules of Business Grammar:
101 Fast and Easy Ways to Correct the Most Common Errors

- Speak with Confidence:
Powerful Presentations That Inform, Inspire, and Persuade

- E-Writing: 21st-Century Tools for Effective Communication

- From Contact to Contract:
496 Proven Sales Tips to Generate More Leads, Close More Deals, Exceed Your Goals, and Make More Money

- Your Signature Work:
Creating Excellence and Influencing Others at Work

Dianna has been interviewed by Good Morning America, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, FOX, CNN, CNBC, National Public Radio, Dr. Laura Radio Show, Washington Post, New York Newsday, Bloomberg, Boardroom Reports, Investor’s Business Daily, Industry Week, Success, and Entrepreneur, among other national radio, TV, and newspapers.

Her work has also won its share of recognition. Several titles have been major book club selections, and others have won national industry awards:
-American Library Association: Best Young -Adult Non-Fiction of the Year
-Executive Soundview Summaries: Best --Business Book of the Decade
--Axiom Award Silver Medal (2018)
--Richtopia's Top 200 Most Influential Authors in the World (2017, 2018)
-New York Film Festival—Cindy Award (nominee) (Corporate Training Division)
-Newbridge Executive Book Club—Main Selection
-Macmillan Executive Book Club Selection
-Fortune Book Club Selection
-Writers Digest Book Club Selection
-Business Week Book Club
-Book-of-the-Month Club (alternate selection)
-Money Book Club