Recommendations

• Have you ever wanted to recommend a person, their services or even a

good restaurant to someone else but didn’t know how to do it?
• Have you ever wanted someone to recommend you to others?
• Maybe you have a special skill that you’d like others to know about. You
might have heard about a position, but need someone to recommend
you in order to apply. Perhaps you just want to share some useful
information with others and want them to know how much you liked it.
• All of these situations require us to give or ask for recommendations.
• Asking for recommendations:
• • Could you put in a good word for me?
• • Could you let others know about this experience?
• • Could you pass this on to others?
• • Would you mind sharing your experience?
• • Would you add me to your contact list?
• Giving recommendations:
• • I highly recommend using this product / service.
• • This person is highly trained / very skilled / very professional.
• • We found the information presented very useful.
• • I only have positive things to say about this product / this person / this service.
• • I would be happy to give you their contact information.
• • Please mention my name when you contact them.
• Here are some examples:
• Employee / colleague asking for a reference:
• I am writing to you since we have worked on many projects together. You always
seem very pleased with my ideas and the way that I deal with problems that
come up, so I would like to ask you to share this information with a potential
new supervisor. As you know, I am applying for a position in the [name]
department and I need a recommendation from someone who has worked with
me. Would you put in a good word for me?
• Possible reference statement:
• I would be happy to recommend [name] for the position you are trying to fill.
[He / she] is very highly qualified and has always successfully dealt with the
topics we have worked on together in the past. I only have positive things to say
about [him/ her]. Please mention my name to them if you decide to shortlist
them for an interview.
• Here are a few basic thoughts to get you started:
• Keep things relatively simple.
• Ask the applicant if there is any special skill or situation that they would like
you to include in the recommendation.
• Focus on the initiative, integrity, dedication, and drive that the individual has
to succeed. Avoid vague compliments and try to provide as many specific
details as possible.
• Confirm the individual's competence in what they do and their credibility
• Recommendations may also be in the form of a single sentence:
• 1. You should buy a dictionary to improve your spelling and enlarge
your vocabulary.
• 2. Students are advised to study the textbooks thoroughly before
taking the semester examinations.
• 3. You would do well to be at the station half an hour before the train
arrives.
• 4. The ‘X’ model pedestal fan is recommended for installation in
offices and the ‘Y’ model for domestic use.
Sample Employment Recommendation
from a Supervisor
Mr. Smith has asked me to write a memo of recommendation, and it is my pleasure
to do so. I first encountered Mr. Smith while supervising him at Company ABC in
Washington, DC. At the time of his employ from March 2013 to January 2018, Mr.
Smith was working as a Management Analyst in the Logistics Department of
Company ABC. In that capacity, Mr. Smith was forced to confront an array of
problems with staff support.
I am pleased to say that Mr. Smith solved each problem with integrity and
professionalism. It seems that whenever Mr. Smith was confronted with an obstacle,
he adjusted his swing and not only solved the problem but created a work
environment that was proactive to productivity. Thanks to his efforts, Company ABC
was able to restructure the department and improve operational efficiency by 37%.
All and all, I highly recommend Mr. Smith for your company. His dedication, work
ethic, and willingness to think outside the box will prove to be a most valuable asset.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sample Employment Recommendation
from a Personal Associate
I am writing to recommend Steve Miller for a position with your company. I have
known Steve for the past six years, due to our involvement with the Johnson County
Food Bank.
Steve is a dedicated and passionate volunteer, demonstrating a willingness to go
above and beyond to make sure local residents have access to the nutritious food
they need. He played an instrumental role in instituting our community garden and
generated $10,000 in sponsorships from local businesses for the 2016 fiscal year
through his participation in our fundraising campaign.
Steve is organized, efficient, and a team player. He would be a tremendous asset to
your organization and I recommend him to you without reservation. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sample College or Scholarship
Recommendation
It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Hannah Jones. As Hannah's
English teacher at Jefferson High School for the past three years, I wholeheartedly
believe she has the potential to successfully complete college-level communications
coursework.
Hannah is a dedicated and committed student with an innate intellectual curiosity. I
have been consistently impressed by her knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and
sentence structure. Her recent series on community nonprofit organizations for our
school newspaper inspired a number of her peers to seek out new volunteer
opportunities.
As well as being a talented young writer, Hannah has the potential to be a leader
both in and out of the classroom. She is always eager to advise her fellow students
and is well-known throughout Jefferson High School for her pleasant, encouraging
attitude.
Hannah is one of the strongest students I have had the pleasure of working with
during my 16 years of teaching. She would be an asset to your program, providing
top-notch academic work as well as unbridled enthusiasm for the learning process. If
you have any questions, please call met at 555-555-5555.
Questions for practice
• 1. Recommend the utilization of waste water from the bathrooms in the hostels and washbasins in the college for
irrigating the coconut palms and shade giving trees on the college campus.
• 2. Recommend that starting of an infirmary with the minimum number of staff and a visiting doctor to act as a first aid
cum outpatient centre in the college.
• 3. Recommend a student for the awards of a merit cum means scholarship. Assume that you are the principal of the
college in which the student is studying and that the scholarship is awarded by the Old Students Association of the
college.
• 4. Recommend a graduate who has secured a first class with distinction (75%) in six subjects in the BE examinations for
the post of maintenance engineer in a factory.
• 5. Recommend in a single sentence a method for understanding definitions and remembering them without memorising
them.
• 6. Recommend a book for beginners on "word processing" to your friend who is learning word processing. (single
sentence type).
• 7. In a single sentence recommend a particular brand/model of watch to your friend.
• 8. Recommend a brand/ flavour of ice-cream and the particular ice-cream parlour, where you can get it to your friend.
• 9. Recommend a novel that you liked to your class-mate.
• 10. Recommend a cell phone brand and manufacturer to a friend, who is planning to buy one.