Easy methods to Write a Letter of Advice [+ Free Template]

I’ve been serving to folks create letters of advice for jobs they need, internships, promotions, and extra, for over ten years. I’ve discovered throughout this time that when you’re not promoting your self successfully, you received’t make a long-lasting impression.

A suggestion letter differs from a resume or a canopy letter as a result of it comes from somebody who is aware of you properly, so it ought to really feel extra private.

Learn additional to find the right way to write a letter of advice that may enable you land the job or alternative you’ve been dreaming of.

Desk of Contents

What’s a letter of advice?

A letter of advice is a one to two-page description of your deserves from somebody who has a specific perception into your character, work ethic, initiatives you’ve accomplished, and extra.

Usually, a letter of advice is written by somebody who’s an authority determine to you, resembling a previous employer or supervisor. This individual ought to be capable of suggest your skilled work or educational expertise.

Try this free letter of advice template to get began.

Letter of Advice Format

1. Date

Together with a date is necessary for establishing the validity of a letter of advice.

Use the precise date that corresponds with the candidate’s final day at a corporation and even a while after they labored with the author of the letter of advice.

In case you’re asking for a letter of advice from a coworker or boss whereas nonetheless employed, remember to tread flippantly as most employers received’t be thrilled to suggest you to a job while you’re leaving.

In case you do belief that they’re okay recommending you, regardless of leaving the corporate, go forward and put that day’s date.

2. Recipient’s Info

Write out the title, place, and firm of the individual the letter of advice goes to. Or, when you’re unsure what firms you’ll be making use of your letter of advice to, be happy to maintain this part generic so you possibly can fill it out later as alternatives come up.

3. Introductions

Introduce the author of the letter of advice. Keep in mind, use the primary individual (whether or not you’re the individual writing the letter of advice, or the receiver making a draft).

Go forward and record their areas of experience, schooling, present title, and anything relevant. If the author is a earlier supervisor you’ll wish to record their place, how lengthy they’ve been on the firm and their schooling. You must also say how lengthy they’ve labored with or recognized you.

4. Efficiency and {Qualifications}

Use this part to speak in regards to the dedication of the letter’s requester in your group. You

may also point out their most notable traits, expertise, and talents by adjectives.

This part is the majority of your letter and an important half. Keep in mind, your boss/coworker/pal can put their very own spin on what you say within the letter, you’re simply giving them an concept of what you’d like included.

Ask your self these questions when scripting this part:

1. How can I inform the story of my accomplishments?
2. What private particulars must be included?
3. What motivates me?
4. What challenges have I overcome?
5. What are my most related expertise?
6. Why do I wish to work at this firm or apply to this faculty?
7. What makes me an excellent match for this position?

Right here’s an instance of what answering these questions may appear like:

“Jane Doe turned my worker in 2016 after transferring from the Gross sales division. She is extraordinarily motivated by sales-centric targets, worker satisfaction, and selecting techniques that ship a excessive return on funding.

In my time working with Jane Doe, I’ve watched her sort out difficult initiatives, resembling when our startup was purchased out by an even bigger model.

She made positive every member of her workforce transitioned seamlessly whereas additionally nonetheless assembly her quarterly targets, an accomplishment that just one different workforce on the firm achieved throughout this time.

Her background in gross sales has made her a pleasant workforce participant, a sensible monetary decision-maker, and an influential chief. She could be a wonderful match for any position that wants somebody who’s going to satisfy hard-to-reach targets, lead a workforce to excellence, and preserve group.

In my time working with Jane Doe, I’ve typically used her as my go-to-person as a result of I do know she is each dependable and hard-working.”

Don’t neglect to put in writing this part within the first individual, and don’t be afraid to actually promote your self and your achievements!

In case you’re not comfy with being this particular, right here’s an instance that leaves area for the author to place in their very own ideas.

“[NAME] turned my worker in [YEAR] after transferring from [DEPARTMENT]. She is extraordinarily motivated [ENTER PERSONAL QUALITIES].

In my time working with [NAME], I’ve watched her sort out difficult initiatives, resembling [PAST PROJECT(S)]. [SENTENCE ABOUT WAS DONE WELL].

Their background in [ENTER BACKGROUND] has made them [FAVORABLE PERSONAL QUALITIES]. They’d be a wonderful match for any position that wants [DESCRIPTION OF ROLE THEY’RE APPLYING FOR].

In my time working with [NAME], [DESCRIPTION OF HOW WE’VE WORKED TOGETHER IN PAST].”

5. Contact Info

Lastly, you possibly can shut this letter wishing the applicant luck of their new skilled stage. Most significantly, present detailed contact info, as interviewers might want to affirm the data supplied on this doc.

How lengthy ought to a letter of advice be?

Like a canopy letter or a resume, a letter of advice must be about one web page lengthy. I’ve typically erred on the facet of shorter than longer since you actually can say every thing you could in a single web page.

In case you’re having a tough time whittling your letter of advice down to 1 web page, contemplate asking a pal with writing expertise to edit it all the way down to an important particulars, and even utilizing AI instruments that will help you.

Writing your letters of advice from scratch might be time-consuming and tough. Obtain your free suggestion template (pictured under) right here as a Google Docs or Microsoft Phrase file.

The free HubSpot letter of advice template provides you:

• Compatibility with Phrase or Google Docs
• Simply identifiable area to explain the skills, attitudes, and expertise of the individual you’re recommending by following the template construction
• The aptitude to edit the letter to align together with your firm’s company picture
• Choices to print or ship the letter of advice in your required format

Attempt filling out every clean a part of the template with the relevant info. It should then start to look one thing like this instance:

Generic Worker Letter of Advice Pattern

[New York City, April 15, 2024]

[Mr. James Big]

[Chief of Business Operations]

[VIC or Very Important Company]

To whom it might concern:

Please settle for my heat greetings. Because the CEO at Enterprise Worldwide, it’s a nice pleasure for me to offer this employment reference letter for Jane Doe, who has served as Head of Gross sales.

She has labored at this firm for 5 years. Throughout that point, I’ve confirmed that Jane has the required expertise to hold out her job to the best requirements of the corporate and with the values that I contemplate important.

At Enterprise Worldwide, Jane has proven curiosity and effectivity within the duties of Head of Gross sales. Given our working relationship, I’ve noticed that she is extraordinarily motivated by sales-centric targets, worker satisfaction, and selecting techniques that ship a excessive return on funding.

She made positive every member of her workforce transitioned seamlessly whereas additionally nonetheless assembly her quarterly targets, an accomplishment that just one different workforce on the firm achieved throughout this time. Her background in gross sales has made her a pleasant workforce participant, a sensible monetary decision-maker, and an influential chief.

She could be a wonderful match for any position that wants somebody who’s going to satisfy hard-to-reach targets, lead a workforce to excellence, and preserve group. In my time working with Jane Doe, I’ve typically used her as my go-to lady as a result of I do know she is each dependable and hard-working.

It is for that reason that I extremely suggest her to your organization, as I’ve witnessed how the response to her assignments has added worth and development to our firm, simply as I’m positive she’s going to be capable of contribute to the brand new group the place she’s going to work.

This letter is prolonged on the request of Jane Doe for the needs that finest swimsuit her.

Thanks,

[Rebecca Johnson]

[CEO]

[Business International]

[businessinternational.org / rebeccaj@businessinternational.com / 123-456-7891]

It is a good start line however nonetheless fairly generic, as a result of while you learn this letter of advice, you’re not tremendous positive that the author truly is aware of who it’s being despatched to.

It feels extra like a normal suggestion of Jane, as an alternative of somebody who is aware of her very properly recommending her for a selected job. It feels generic as a result of it lacks necessary particulars about Jane’s efficiency and her work character.

Let’s spice it up a bit. Right here’s one other pattern that’s been adjusted to higher describe Jane and what she does for the corporate:

Higher Worker Letter of Advice Pattern

[New York City, April 15, 2024]

[Mr. James Big]

[Chief of Business Operations]

[VIC or Very Important Company]

Mr. James Large,

Because the CEO of Enterprise Worldwide, it’s a nice pleasure to offer this employment reference letter for Jane Doe, who has labored for 5 years as Head of Gross sales at Enterprise Worldwide.

I’m thrilled to suggest Ms. Jane Doe to your group. As you learn additional, you can find she might be an awesome asset to any group in search of a excessive performing Head of Gross sales.

Throughout our previous 5 years, I’ve watched Jane flourish as she’s moved from a buyer success supervisor into her position as Head of Gross sales, managing a workforce of twenty gross sales associates. About three years in the past, our startup firm was purchased by Enterprise Worldwide, and Jane took the transition in stride.

She led the best way for her workforce in the course of the transition by making certain every workforce member onboarded their new position and duties, labored with staff we gained in the course of the transition, and even nonetheless met her quarterly gross sales targets. In actual fact, she was one in every of solely two departments that also met their targets in the course of the transition section.

Jane’s background in gross sales has made her a pleasant workforce participant, a sensible monetary decision-maker, and an influential chief. I’ve typically used Jane as my go-to lady as a result of I do know after I give her a process, she received’t simply meet my expectations however will relatively wow me along with her ingenuity and inventive problem-solving.

I’ve heard firsthand from Jane’s prospects simply how beloved and appreciated she is. One buyer even raved about her persistence in fixing an issue he had with billing.

Jane went above and past to make sure the client’s drawback was solved whereas additionally forging a robust relationship that has led to buyer retention and referrals. Jane maintains a 95% buyer retention price, one of many highest at our firm.

Because of this, I extremely suggest her to your organization. I’m positive Jane will be capable of contribute tremendously to VIC, and I’m excited to look at her profession trajectory.

Thanks,

[Rebecca Johnson]

[CEO]

[Business International]

[businessinternational.org / rebeccaj@businessinternational.com / 123-456-7891]

Did you discover that this letter of advice felt much more private?

It nonetheless makes use of the fundamental components that each letter of advice ought to have, however there’s much more consideration to element, together with storytelling and necessary statistics. Once you write a letter of advice for your self or another person, embrace a lot of particulars to keep away from sounding generic.

Try HubSpot’s information on storytelling to get a greater concept of what story your letter of advice ought to inform.

4. Get private.

Take into consideration the one that will write and log out in your suggestion letter.

What are a few of your finest reminiscences with this individual? Have been there lengthy lunches the place you talked about shared pursuits, or conferences the place they made you are feeling valued? Take into consideration what their favourite reminiscences with you might need been.

That is one part the place you’ll positively wish to jog their reminiscence to get a private story or high quality of yours that they respect. Be happy to record a few of your favourite moments for them to reference in the event that they so select.

Use this free template at any time when it’s a must to begin over on a letter of advice. In case you want a number of letters, contemplate having every tackle a novel side of your work or faculty expertise.