Writing a recommendation letter for an employee you supervise isn’t always a simple thing to do. It requires skill not only in drafting professional correspondence but also in correct formatting and knowing what information to include.You may not know what specific examples of employee performance you should include in a formal recommendation letter. It can be hard to balance praise with an objective evaluation of an employee’s skills. If you have to write a recommendation for an employee whose performance you weren’t particularly happy with, it can be a challenge to know how to portray the employee in a positive way. Not doing so may cost them a future job.Despite the difficulties in writing this letter, our recommendation letter for employee from manager templates will assist you in drafting a professional recommendation.
Recommendation Letter for Employee From Manager Template
Sara Jones, a manager who supervises a team of five employees, wrote the letter below for one of her employees, John Townsley. John has been working under Sara’s supervision for the past year. She has thus had ample time to evaluate his on-the-job performance and observe how he works with other team members. He has decided to apply for jobs in a related field and has asked Sara to write a recommendation for him to potential employers.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter on behalf of John Townsley, whom I have supervised for the past year in his role as account representative with Johnson and Kramer. I am pleased to recommend John to your company.
From the first day John joined our team, he showed enthusiasm for his position and a willingness to grow in the job. In the year that he worked with us, he rose to become the top-producing account representative on my team of five, with monthly sales a full 10% over the company average on a consistent basis.
John is a dedicated and committed employee who always puts his best efforts into everything he does. He is self-motivated and takes initiative to ensure processes are efficient and streamlined for maximum output and return.
I have no hesitation in recommending John to your company and feel confident he would be a strong asset to your team. I would be happy to discuss John’s candidacy with your company either by phone at (555) 555-3954 or email at sjones@anymail.com.
Yours truly,
Sara Jones
Southern Region Account Team Manager
How To Write a Recommendation Letter for Employee From Manager
If you’re a supervisor, chances are good that you’ll have to write at least a few, if not many, recommendation letters during the course of your career. The purpose of this letter is to give your personal feedback about a current or former employee and to endorse him or her as an employee for another employer.
In your opening, state the reason you’re writing the letter as well as the name of the employee you’re writing it for. Specifically state that you recommend this employee or that you are writing to recommend the employee. This opening should be brief, concise, and get right to the point of why you’re writing.
The body of your letter should explain why you endorse this employee. Give examples that show a potential employer a mix of both hard skills, such as education and experience, as well as soft skills, such as personality traits. Be specific and use metrics when possible, showing how the employee made a measurable contribution to your workplace, as shown in the recommendation letter for employee from manager template.
You may wish to divide the body of your letter into two paragraphs that elaborate on your employee’s contributions. Depending on how long you supervised the employee and how technical the work was, these descriptions may need more or less detail.
In closing, repeat that you recommend this person for the position they’re applying for or more generally if it isn’t for any specific position. Include your contact information if the recipient wishes to follow up with you for more details.
What To Avoid in Your Recommendation Letter for Employee From Manager
You should avoid pointing out any negative qualities in the employee’s performance or any mistakes the employee made while under your supervision. The purpose of a recommendation letter is to give the employee a good chance of shining and showcasing his or her best attributes. Even if you didn’t particularly enjoy working with the employee, avoid inserting your personal feelings in the recommendation letter and make an effort to remain professionally objective.
Since this is business correspondence that could help an employee land an important job, your letter should be well-written and error-free. A poorly written letter could reflect badly on your employee and hurt his or her chances to get the job. Ensure you do a thorough job of proofreading before sending your recommendation.
Avoid being too effusive in your text. Stick to specific examples and allow the details to demonstrate the employee’s characteristics. If you go overboard with praise, the letter could come across as insincere.
How To Follow Up After Sending Your Recommendation Letter for Employee From Manager
In most cases there’s no need for you to follow up after you write your recommendation letter. You may wish to check with the employee to ensure that he or she received the draft, especially if it’s an original signed copy that you mailed by post. Generally speaking, however, the employee will distribute your recommendation letter to the necessary parties who will then decide whether to follow up with you for additional information.
It can be a good idea for you to keep a copy of your recommendation letter on file for future reference. You can use your draft as a template for future recommendation letters, changing the details and particulars without having to start from scratch each time an employee asks for a recommendation.
Top 5 Recommendation Letter for Employee From Manager Writing Takeaways
1. Clearly state the reason for your letter
Start your letter by indicating whom you are recommending and, if you have the information, include the specific position you are recommending him or her for. Make sure you spell the employee’s name correctly and clearly state that you are endorsing them.
2. Include specific details and examples
Don’t just say you recommend the employee and leave it at that. Provide specific details and examples from your experiences managing the employee that will support his or her candidacy for the position. Use a mix of hard and soft skills to give a well-rounded picture of the employee’s best attributes.
3. Don’t overdo your flattery
If you praise the employee repeatedly in your recommendation, it can make your letter sound as if it’s contrived or inauthentic. A strong letter doesn’t require excessive flattery because it stands on its own based on solid examples of the employee’s past performance.
4. Pay attention to detail
Keep in mind that your recommendation is part of an overall evaluation that future employers will make to determine whether your employee is suitable for hiring. Proofread your letter and make sure it doesn’t have any punctuation, spelling, or grammar errors.
5. Close with a strong recommendation and contact details
In your conclusion, state clearly that you recommend the employee. Provide your contact details, such as telephone and email, for further follow-up if needed.
