Free Personal Letter of Recommendation For a Friend (Template and Example)

When someone is applying for a work position or getting into a club, they may need extra support from people who know them. This support can, and is often, given through a reference letter that testifies to the applicant’s character. It is commonly used as an alternative to a professional recommendation but can also help applicants applying for their first job.

A personal recommendation letter should come from someone who knows the applicant personally, preferably outside the work environment. This could be anyone from a friend or family member to a neighbor or fellow volunteer. Has a friend, coworker, or acquaintance asked you to write them a recommendation letter? This article should help you create an outstanding document.

How to Ask for a Personal Recommendation Letter

• Prepare a Template. It is a generally good idea to have a template for how you would like your recommendation letter to look, which you can present to the writer to make drafting the letter easier.
• Create a List of Possible Writers. Once you have a rough draft, pen down the names of possible people who could give a positive recommendation of your character. Remember, they don’t need to have a reputable career or title, as long as they know you and are of good character.
• Ask Your Top Choices. From your list, contact at least two or three possible writers and frame your request in a detailed email. If they respond, provide them with the template and a timeline.

Before You Write the Letter

Deliberate before saying yes – A recommendation letter can have a lot of say in whether an applicant gets a job or is accepted into a school. Before agreeing to write it, make sure you can provide a positive, helpful, and truthful account of the applicant’s qualities.

Gather the necessary information – Once you agree to write the recommendation letter, collect all the related information from the applicant that should be included in the letter.

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Friend

The main purpose of a personal recommendation letter is to improve the chances of the applicant (your friend) getting accepted into a company, country, or institution. This can be achieved through a well-written, one-page letter with the following sections:

Salutation

Supply the sender and recipient addresses, date, and subject line. If you know the recipient’s name, address them by their proper title and last name. If not, use the more neutral ‘to whom it may concern’ or ‘to the admissions committee.’

First Paragraph

Identify yourself and explain your relationship with the applicant. How, when, and where did you meet? How long have you known each other? Next, mention that you are writing to recommend the applicant. You don’t have to establish that you are an expert in the field as your recommendation is based on your ability to testify to the applicant’s character.

Second Paragraph

Highlight the positive qualities that make the applicant a good candidate and give specific examples of how they demonstrated these attributes in real life. Ensure the qualities are relevant to the position for which the applicant is applying.

Reference Recap

Restate your recommendation in one brief sentence. For example, ‘I, therefore recommend Grace Miller for this job without reservation.’ Make sure to sound confident in your assertion.

Closing

Offer to provide more information if the reader needs it and include your phone number or email address. Finally, close with your name and signature.

Tips on Writing a Personal Recommendation Letter

When drafting a Personal Letter of Recommendation for a Friend:

• Ask for and review some templates and samples to get an idea of the letter layout, language, and length.
• If available, follow the formatting guidelines in terms of format, length, font, and content.
• Use a formal business format.
• If you are short on time, send an email instead of a postal letter.
• Emphasize on one or two traits of the applicant and back them up by supplying real-life examples.
• Tailor your message to the position for which the applicant is applying and highlight skills and qualities that are relevant to it.
• Use a positive and confident tone: Convince the reader that you have no reservations about recommending the applicant.
• Follow the submission guidelines given by the applicant and send your letter in the requested format.
• Send the letter a few days before the submission deadline.

Personal Letter of Recommendation for a Friend (Word Template)

A well-written and timed Personal Letter of Recommendation for a Friend can strengthen an applicant’s chances of receiving a positive response. When drafting it, stick to the applicant’s qualities that are relevant to the position in question and give specific examples so your testimony doesn’t come off as blind praise. Finally, always include your contact number; this further convinces the reader that you are genuine in your account.