Employee Recommendation Letter Template

An employee recommendation letter is a formal document that supports an employee’s application for a new role, promotion, or academic opportunity. It highlights the employee’s professional skills, attitude, and achievements while showing confidence in their ability to succeed elsewhere.

Unlike an employment verification letter that only confirms job details, this letter provides personal insight into how the employee performed, collaborated, and contributed to company goals.

A recommendation letter helps employers, recruiters, or institutions understand the candidate beyond their resume. It adds credibility by presenting a first-hand perspective from someone who has worked directly with them.

It also reflects positively on the company issuing it. Providing a strong, well-written recommendation shows that your organization values professionalism and supports employee growth.

An effective employee recommendation letter includes:

• The employee’s name, job title, and dates of employment
• The writer’s name, title, and professional relationship with the employee
• A brief description of work responsibilities and skills
• One or two achievements that demonstrate value and impact
• A closing statement that expresses confidence in their future success

A recommendation letter should come from someone who has directly supervised or worked closely with the employee—usually a manager, team leader, or department head. The person writing it should be able to speak confidently about the employee’s skills, work ethic, and accomplishments.

Ideally, the writer should highlight specific examples that show how the employee added value to the team or organization. This personal insight makes the recommendation more credible and helps the reader understand the employee’s true potential.

Yes. A recommendation letter is typically written for a specific role or opportunity and provides detailed examples of an employee’s abilities. A reference letter, on the other hand, is more general and can be used for multiple purposes.