GUIDELINES
- After a short greeting, introduce yourself and how long you have known your friend.
- Describe your friend. You may share a story or a couple of brief anecdotes in order to support your descriptions.
- Conclude the letter by stating whether or not you recommend your friend. You may also offer your contact details to give further information about your friend. Close the letter politely.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
Good day. My name is Arthur Peterson, and I have been friends with Valerie Clarke for ten years now.
I first met Valerie in high school during a summer arts workshop. Her talents in painting and sculpture became very apparent during that experience. We eventually went to the same university. Her enthusiasm in and her commitment to studying all courses, and not just art-related courses, were also evident because of her grades. After school, we worked on several projects together including a marketing campaign and an independent film. During these projects, I was impressed by her treatment of everyone involved. On a more personal note, Valerie has been a great friend. She has being there for me during difficult periods in my family's life.
So, it is with great pleasure that I recommend Valerie Clarke. I believe she will contribute significantly to your enterprise. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me through my e-mail address.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Reference letter for a friend. Sample letter.
Further things to consider when writing reference letters to whom it may concern
Reference Letters
Reference letters are letters written to endorse someone's general character and personality. A reference letter differs from a recommendation letter in that the latter supports the person's application for a specific job or education program and is usually addressed to a particular person. A reference letter is more general in nature, refers to the overall character of the person, and is not addressed to anyone in particular. It is normally addressed as "Dear sir/madam," or "To whom it may concern." The person who writes the reference letter is known as the referee, and he/she could be a close friend or colleague.
For you to write good reference letters, you need to know the candidates well to be able to express their best character. Start off with a salutation and the name of the person the letter is about. Write a sentence or two explaining how you know the person and for how long. Mention the strong qualities, characteristics, and strengths of the person in question. Giving brief examples, discuss why you feel the person will be a great addition to office and work culture. Use strong verbs but do not exaggerate. Conclude with your contacts and signature.
Letters to Whom It May Concern
Letters to whom it may concern are letters addressed to unknown recipients. The term "To whom it may concern" is, basically, a letter salutation that has been used over the years in business correspondence when a sender doesn't have a specific recipient or doesn't know the name of the recipient. This may happen many times during your job search. For instance, you may be sending a recommendation letter, cover letter or any other job application material to someone you don't know. It is also appropriate to address a letter to whom it may concern if you're making an inquiry but don't know who to address your letter to.
Although sending letters to whom it may concern has been a common practice, other options such as, "To hiring manager", "To customer service manager", etc., can be used at the start of a letter. Of course, you should make an effort to find the recipient's name. You can look it up on the recipient's company website, LinkedIn or other professional social sites, or contact the office and ask the assistant for advice. However, when this is not possible, you can still use "To whom it may concern".
These articles may interest you
