Recommendation letter for a colleague.

Further things to consider when writing recommendation letters to whom it may concern

Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters are letters written to provide information about your work or academic capabilities. These letters are written by your previous employers, colleagues, teachers, or any other person who can recommend your work or academic performance. The main objective of recommendation letters is to verify the aptitude, skills, and achievements of the person being recommended. They discuss the qualities and capabilities that make you the best fit for a given position or school program. Usually, these letters are sent to hiring managers or admissions officers to facilitate interviews or introduction of new candidates.

Writing recommendation letters is a huge responsibility that should be taken seriously. Therefore, before you agree to the task, you need to make sure that you understand what the letter will be used for and what information is expected from you. Begin by letting the recipient know that this is a recommendation letter. Explain how you know the candidate and how long you have been in a relationship with him/her. Give an evaluation of the candidate's skills and accomplishments and explain why he/she will be effective and productive. If necessary, give a personal testimony. End by reiterating your recommendation of the candidate and sign your name.

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".