Professional Guide
Write the kind of recommendation letter that actually helps.
A good recommendation should sound specific, credible, and personal. If it reads like a generic favor, it won't do much. This guide starts you with a structure that gives the person a real boost.
Write it free below. If the recipient expects a printed, signed original, we print and mail it for you — first class for $10, or certified for $19.
Best fit
- Job applications
- School or college programs
- Scholarships or volunteer roles
- Any situation where your endorsement matters
This is the letter you'll send
No guessing about wording. You fill in your details and the builder produces a clean, dated recommendation like this one — ready to download or have us mail.
Susan Albright 120 College Avenue Durham, NH 03824
May 29, 2026
Admissions Committee Thayer School of Engineering Hanover, NH 03755
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Emily Carter for admission to your graduate engineering program.
I have known Emily for three years as her supervisor at Granite State Robotics. During that time, I have seen her demonstrate exceptional problem-solving, a strong work ethic, and the ability to lead a team under deadline pressure.
Last spring, Emily redesigned our sensor calibration process and cut test time by 40% — a project she initiated and saw through entirely on her own.
I believe Emily would be a strong fit for your program, and I recommend her without hesitation.
If you need any additional information, please contact me at (603) 555-0145.
Sincerely,
Susan Albright
How it works
Fill in your details
The person you're recommending, your relationship, the opportunity, and your best concrete example. Takes a few minutes.
Download free, or let us mail it
Print and mail it yourself at no cost — or hand it off and skip the errand entirely.
We print, stamp, and send
First class for $10, or certified mail with tracking for $19 when a signed original matters.
What makes a recommendation sound real
The strongest recommendation letters do three things: they explain how you know the person and in what capacity, they name the qualities that make the person stand out, and they include at least one concrete example that proves it.
That third part is what separates a real recommendation from a vague note that says someone is hardworking and a pleasure to know. The reader — a hiring manager, admissions officer, or program director — reads these regularly. Specific examples are what they remember.
A good letter does not need to be long. One to two pages is standard. A tight, specific letter with a real example usually lands better than a longer one filled with general praise.
A structure that works
- Opening paragraph: State who you are, your relationship to the person, how long you have known them, and what you are recommending them for. Keep it to three or four sentences.
- Middle paragraph (or two): Name the specific qualities that make this person a strong candidate. Then back at least one up with a concrete example — a project, a situation, a problem they solved, or a result they produced.
- Closing paragraph: A direct, unambiguous endorsement. Say that you recommend this person without reservation, or with specific confidence for this type of role or program. Offer to answer questions if the reader wants to follow up.
What not to do
Do not be vague. "Jane is a great worker and a team player" tells the reader nothing useful. "Jane led a three-person team that turned around a failing client account in 60 days" tells them something real.
Do not be too short. A two-paragraph letter signals that you did not have much to say. Even if you are busy, take the time to write something that reflects genuine thought.
Do not exaggerate. The reader will be skeptical of letters that describe someone as the best person the writer has ever worked with. Credible praise lands better than superlatives.
When to mail vs. email
Many programs now accept or prefer emailed letters. But some still expect a physical letter — particularly for academic programs, professional licensing, court-related submissions, and situations where a signed original matters.
If you are not sure, ask the recipient what format they expect before sending. When a physical letter is needed and you want it printed, signed, and mailed cleanly, the builder handles the formatting and we mail it first class for $10.
Choose how it gets mailed
Writing and downloading your letter is always free. You only pay if you want us to handle the printing and mailing. Many programs accept email — check what the recipient expects before mailing.
Ready to write it?
Open the recommendation-letter template, fill in the relationship, the opportunity, and your best example, then download it or have us print and mail it first class for $10 if the recipient expects a physical letter.
General information only. Review the final letter carefully so it accurately reflects your real experience and opinion of the person you are recommending.