There are many reasons why you may be asked to write a recommendation letter. Perhaps a former employee needs a reference in her new line of work, your housekeeper wants to take on new clients, your favorite babysitter is seeking her first "real" job, or your longtime intern is applying to college.
No matter what the circumstances, there are some guidelines you can follow when you are asked to write a recommendation letter:
- If you honestly cannot recommend the person for the job, don't agree to write a letter. It's difficult enough to accurately describe and promote a person's positive characteristics. It's twice as hard to spin someone's negative traits into something that resembles a compliment. So don't even try.
Instead, you can tell the person, "I'm sorry, but I really don't think I'm the best person to write your recommendation." If he or she pushes for an explanation, you might tell them you didn't work closely enough with them to fully get to know their work style or ethic. Or be brutally honest, "I don't think you're a good fit for that company. Their sales team relies a lot on teamwork, and you've always seemed to work better independently here." Or, "While I can appreciate how you often look at the big picture, I know Mary needs someone who is very detail-oriented." - Once you've agreed to write the letter, find out if there's a deadline and get the recipient's correct name and address. The person asking you for the recommendation might give you an addressed stamped envelope, which makes your job easier. If it's a generic letter that the job seeker may use in different circumstances for years to come, you can use "To Whom It May Concern" or simply start your letter without a salutation....
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Author: Kara Williams