Letter
5 Things you need to know about a Letter of Recommendation
​
Have you found a job that’s right for you, but you need to submit a letter of recommendation and don’t know how to proceed? Fear not.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about letters of recommendation and how to get your own. The aim is to stand out from the rest of the candidates and make sure you land your dream job.
​
1. What is a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is a document written by a third party – usually a former employer – that indicates all your skills, competencies and characteristics in the professional field.
It is a document written by a former employer, with the aim of serving as a testimonial of the former employer’s satisfaction with the services you provided while working together.
​
2. Why do I need a letter of recommendation?
Sometimes, when you’re applying for a new job, one of the things you’re asked to do is submit a letter of recommendation.
This document serves to demonstrate to the recruiter that your skills and competencies match those of the company hiring you. It can also be seen as a vote of confidence.
A letter of recommendation is distinguished by the fact that it is written by someone who has already worked with you, be it an employer, someone who has already hired you or even a former school teacher. It’s a document that, regardless of whether or not it’s requested by the company you’re applying to, always adds value to your CV and ultimately influences decision-making.
​
3. How can I get a letter of recommendation?
As mentioned above, this letter needs to be written by someone who has worked with you before – be it a colleague in an important and influential position or even your former manager.
If this isn’t possible, because you don’t have enough connections or you didn’t finish your last job on good terms with your boss, you can also ask a former colleague to write the document.
​
4. What should a letter of recommendation contain?
Para alĂ©m das suas competĂŞncias e caraterĂsticas, devem estar implĂcitos na carta de recomendações dados como:
- Nome da empresa onde a pessoa que está a escrever a carta trabalha;
- A duração dos seus serviços prestados à antiga entidade;
- HistĂłrico de competĂŞncias e habilidades do candidato;
- Funções desempenhadas durante o perĂodo de trabalho;
- Assinatura do responsável pelas informações declaradas, contendo o nĂvel de relacionamento com o profissional em questĂŁo (colega, supervisor, gerente, gestor de RH ou diretor).
​
5. What are the differences between a letter of recommendation and a cover letter?
This question can cause some confusion because both are essentially cover letters. The aim is to demonstrate the candidate’s qualities and characteristics.
However, the difference is that the cover letter is written in a personal way, where the candidate himself talks about what he considers to be his best skills.
On the other hand, the letter of recommendation must necessarily be written, or at least signed, by a third party, which gives it a greater level of influence during the decision-making process for the recruiter.
​
Example of a Letter of Recommendation
[Name]
[Address]
[City, Postal Code]
[Date]
[Name of Recipient]
[Recipient’s title]
[Name of Company or Institution]
[Address of Company or Institution]
[City, Postal Code]
Dear [Name of Recipient],
I would like to express my enthusiastic recommendation for [Name of Candidate], with whom I had the pleasure of working for [length of time we worked together] at [Name of Company or Institution].
During this time, [Name of Candidate] has demonstrated outstanding abilities in [mention a specific quality or skill, such as leadership, creativity, etc.]. Your work ethic, commitment and ability to meet deadlines are impressive.
I recommend [Candidate Name] without reservation and believe he/she will be a valuable asset to any organization. Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact me at [your e-mail address] or [your telephone number].
Kind Regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position (if applicable)]
[Company Name]
​
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to know about a letter of recommendation and how to get one, it’s time to move on to the next step and get that job interview you’re looking forward to. Visit our vacancies throughout the country.
​
Back