Finding the right words to recommend a valued employee can sometimes feel tricky. You want to be supportive, professional, and persuasive, all while sticking to the facts. That’s where a good template comes in handy! This general employee recommendation letter template provides a versatile and adaptable framework suitable for most standard job applications. Think of it as your reliable starting point for crafting a compelling endorsement.
It’s designed to be clear, professional, and easily customizable, helping you highlight an employee’s strengths effectively without having to reinvent the wheel every single time.
When to Use This General Template
This template is your go-to choice when:
- An employee is applying for a standard job role at another company.
- You need a solid, all-purpose structure that covers the essential points.
- The specific requirements of the new role aren’t highly specialized (or you haven’t seen the detailed job description).
- You want a professional baseline that you can easily tailor with specific examples.
While adaptable, remember that if the employee is applying for a very specific role (like a high-level executive position, a creative field, or academia), you might want to adapt this further or look for a more specialized template.
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General Employee Recommendation Letter Text (Copy & Paste)
Use the text below as your foundation. Simply copy and paste it into your word processor or email.
[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Company Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name] (If known, otherwise use title)
[Hiring Manager Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
**Subject: Letter of Recommendation for [Employee's Full Name]**
Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Hiring Manager Last Name or "Hiring Manager"],
It is my distinct pleasure to recommend [Employee's Full Name] for [mention the type of position they are seeking, if known, e.g., "a position within your organization," or "roles requiring strong project management skills"].
I have had the opportunity to work closely with [Employee's First Name] for [Number] years at [Your Company Name], during which time [he/she/they] held the position of [Employee's Job Title]. In my role as [Your Job Title], I directly supervised [Employee's First Name] / worked alongside [Employee's First Name] on numerous projects [adjust based on your relationship].
During [his/her/their] time here, [Employee's First Name] consistently demonstrated [mention 2-3 key positive traits, e.g., a strong work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude]. [He/She/They] was an invaluable member of our team, known for [mention a key strength, e.g., reliability, creativity, attention to detail].
Specifically, I was particularly impressed by [Employee's First Name]'s contribution to [mention a specific project, achievement, or responsibility]. For example, [provide a brief, concrete example of their success, quantifying if possible, e.g., "they successfully led the implementation of our new CRM system, resulting in a 15% increase in team efficiency," or "they consistently received positive feedback from clients for their exceptional customer service"]. [Add another brief example if possible].
[Employee's First Name] possesses excellent [mention a relevant skill, e.g., communication, technical, leadership] skills and works exceptionally well [e.g., independently, as part of a team]. [He/She/They] is always willing to [mention a positive behavior, e.g., assist colleagues, learn new skills, take initiative].
Based on [his/her/their] performance, skills, and dedication, I wholeheartedly recommend [Employee's Full Name] for roles that require [mention 1-2 key skills relevant to general employment, e.g., dedication, strong analytical skills, teamwork]. [He/She/They] was a true asset to our team, and I am confident [he/she/they] will bring significant value to your organization.
Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature (if sending a hard copy)]
[Your Typed Name]
How to Customize This Template: Step-by-Step
- Replace Placeholders: Carefully go through the text and replace everything in square brackets
[]with the correct information (your details, the employee’s details, the date, etc.). Pay close attention! - Specify Your Relationship: Adjust the sentence describing how you know the employee to accurately reflect your working relationship (e.g., direct supervisor, manager, project lead, senior colleague).
- Select Key Traits: Choose 2-3 positive traits that genuinely reflect the employee’s strengths and are broadly applicable to many jobs (e.g., reliable, proactive, detail-oriented, collaborative, quick learner).
- Add Concrete Examples: This is crucial! Replace the example placeholders with specific achievements or contributions the employee made. Think about projects they worked on, problems they solved, or positive results they achieved. Quantify these examples whenever possible – numbers make a big impact.
- Mention Relevant Skills: Tailor the mentioned skills (communication, technical, etc.) to the employee’s actual abilities.
- Refine the Recommendation Statement: Ensure the final recommendation paragraph aligns with your overall assessment.
- Proofread Thoroughly: Read the entire letter carefully to catch any typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. A polished letter reflects well on everyone involved.
Tips for Writing a Strong General Recommendation
- Focus on Transferable Skills: Since this is a general letter, emphasize skills valuable in almost any role: reliability, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, initiative.
- Keep it Positive and Enthusiastic: Your tone should convey genuine support for the candidate.
- Be Concise: While providing detail, avoid unnecessary jargon or overly long descriptions. Get straight to the point.
- Quantify When Possible: Even in a general letter, adding numbers (e.g., “managed budgets up to $X,” “improved response time by Y%”) adds significant weight.
Related Templates
- Need something more specific? Explore all our [Link to /recommendation-letters/for-employee/] Recommendation Letters for Employees.
- Writing for a former colleague? Check out our [Link to /recommendation-letters/for-coworker/] Coworker Recommendation Template.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Can I use this template if I don’t know where the employee is applying?
- A: Yes, absolutely. This template is designed for situations where you might not have the specific job description. Focus on the employee’s general strengths and accomplishments during their time with your company.
- Q: Is it okay to slightly modify the wording?
- A: Definitely! This is a template, not a rigid script. Feel free to adjust the phrasing to better match your personal writing style, as long as you maintain a professional tone and include the key elements.
Use this template as a solid starting point to craft a meaningful and effective recommendation for your deserving employee!