Free Guide to a Friend’s Recommendation Letter

Recommendation letters are vital to any professional because they help sway a hiring manager’s decision. If you’re writing a letter of recommendation for a friend, here are some things you need to know.

But first, let’s cover some fundamental concepts.

What is a Letter of Recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a written testimonial supporting another person’s application. It is a document vouching for an applicant’s skills, work ethic, and experience.

Letters of recommendation are formal letters that serve as a factor for determining an applicant’s suitability in a professional, academic, or personal context.

Reference Letters vs. Recommendation Letters

While these terms may seem interchangeable, subtle differences distinguish one from the other. The most notable difference lies in their focus area.

On the one hand, a letter of recommendation focuses on a candidate’s skills, abilities, and experience. As such, they are primarily used in a hiring context, where candidates’ skills and experience directly influence whether they get hired. Letters of recommendation highlight why a candidate is an ideal candidate for a specific role.

On the other hand, a reference letter endorses a candidate’s personality and character. College applications and internships require a reference letter because applicants usually have little work experience. This means their character and personality become the main point of reference for determining their suitability.

Letter of Recommendation for a Friend, Explained.

The potency of a recommendation letter depends greatly on the relationship between the referrer and the referee. While there are no rules barring you from recommending a friend, your relationship [or the way you present it] can affect your recommendation’s weight.

Generally speaking, friends and family are poor references because of their inherent positive bias toward you. Quality references are those from employers, workmates, and schools because they are objective references. 

Your relationship determines the relevance and nature of your testimony. Recommending a friend can be challenging unless you have a secondary work-related connection. 

For example, you can write a letter of recommendation for a friend you met at your previous company. 

Regardless, having a friend’s recommendation will still be better than none.

Candidates can use a personal character reference with other professional recommendations to complete requirements. 

Recommendation Letter Templates With INK

Example A

Dear [Name], 

I cannot recommend [Friend] highly enough as a colleague and friend. I have worked with her for many years, and she is an extremely hard worker who always puts the needs of her clients first. In addition to being an excellent lawyer, she is also someone whom I would trust with my life. This speaks volumes about how much esteem I hold her in. 

If you are looking for someone reliable, competent, and trustworthy to join your team or firm, then look no further than [Friend]. She will not let you down. 

Thank you for considering her application. 

Sincerely, [Your name]

Example B

To Whom it May Concern, 

It is with great pride that I write this letter on behalf of my friend John Smith. We worked together closely in college, and I can attest to his skills as an engineer. He has always been a diligent student and has displayed a keen interest in the field of engineering. In fact, he was even able to teach me a few things about the subject! It would be hard-pressed to find anyone more suited for an engineering job than John Smith. If you have any questions or clarifications, please contact me at [your email address]. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

John Doe

In Summary

Recommendation letters are important to candidates because they serve as written testimony vouching for an individual’s skills and abilities. The nature of your relationship with the candidate has a significant impact on the quality of your recommendation.

The basic rules of a business letter apply. If you want a quick and easy way to write recommendation letters, consider using the Hey INK tool. The results will impress you.