REFERENCE LETTER FOR A FRIEND - WITH WRITING GUIDE 2024
Does the term Reference Letter for a friend sound strange to you?
If you are asked to write a recommendation letter for a friend, then you might be wondering how to write the same.
Don’t worry, this blog offers answers to all your daunting doubts regarding how to draft a personal reference letter for a friend.
Read the blog further to find answers to all your questions.
What is a Recommendation Letter for a Friend? Why is it Important?
A Reference Letter for a Friend is a recommendation letter written by friends to vouch for the personal characteristics of the candidate which qualify them for the job post desired.
It is important as it gives more authority to the character and personal traits of the candidate.
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Questions You Should Answer Before Writing
If you are entrusted to write a Recommendation Letter for a friend, then you have to answer certain questions like the ones mentioned below.
By the way, we would like to inform you that writing a recommendation letter for a friend is not a tedious task, answering below mentioned questions will help you craft a stellar reference letter for a friend.
- For how long have you known the candidate and in what capacity?
This question must be answered in the first paragraph of the letter, explaining how you know the candidate and for how long you have known each other and in what capacity.
- What are the special skills of the candidate that makes the candidate fit for the job?
Here you have to explain about the skills and qualities of the candidate and what makes the candidate a right choice for the job mentioned.
- Why do you recommend the candidate for the job?
You can answer this question by explaining the personal qualities, characteristics, work ethics, of the candidate.
What Do Officers Look for in LORs?
As an important document for your job application, LOR has a huge weightage in deciding whether you are in or out of the job recruitment.
Recruiting officers will look for the personal character traits of the applicant in a reference letter for a friend.
Since a CV or a Resume` can’t provide the holistic view of the candidate, a reference letter is a great means to analyze the candidate as a whole.
How Long Your LOR Should be?
Writing a Reference Letter for a friend is not a strenuous task and one can master it with the right guidance and proper effort.
Understanding correct formatting techniques is essential to make your LOR perfect.
Word Count:
200 – 400 words
Character Limit:
1500 – 2000 characters
Margin:
One inch on all sides
Page count:
one page
Font Style:
Times New Roman
Font Size:
12
Reference letter for a friend Samples
Miya George
Assistant Professor
XYZ College,
______ (place)
February 27, 2023
Dear Rahul Sobti,
I am Miya George, Assistant Professor at XYZ College, _________ (place). I am writing this letter to endorse the candidature of my friend, Anika Raj, who has applied for the post of HR Executive at your reputed firm. I am sure Anika is well suited for the said vacancy of HR Executive at your firm and will surely be a worthy addition to your firm. As a school friend of mine, I have known her for the past 12 years and can vouch for her capabilities and skills.
Anika was a diligent student who always topped school examinations. Apart from academics, she was a regular participant in school extracurricular activities as well. From school Head Girl to Arts Club Secretary, she has proved her leadership and managerial skills in numerous ways. Though after school, we both studied in different higher educational institutions, I was well informed about the updates in her life and I am proud that she topped her MBA examination as well.
Apart from being friends, we are also good neighbours, who meet daily to share our ups and downs of life. She is a vibrant person who interacts and communicates with everyone without any prejudice. As a good friend of mine, she has been a pillar of support during tough times in my life and has given me emotional support to keep me stronger. As a secretary of our housing society, her contribution for the societal activities must receive special mention. Her knack for organizing events and planning programs must be appreciated.
She has a cheerful personality and always brims with enthusiasm and positivity. I am aware that the position of HR Executive at your company demands skills like leadership skills, teamwork capabilities, inter communication skills, etc. As I know Anika and her skills, I am sure she would be a perfect fit for the role. I wholeheartedly recommend her for the HR Executive position open at your firm.
With Regards,
Miya George
Mob: 123-456-7890
miya123@gmailcom
Guidelines for Using Samples
Reading a sample will help you understand the practical side of writing a recommendation letter for a friend.
Here we provide you a sample to help you analyze the writing style of a reference letter for a friend for a job.
Reading the sample will help you understand:
- Correct grammatical structuring of the LOR
- How to make your LOR attractive
- How to end the LOR with a positive note
Write Your LORs in 6 Steps
Writing a character reference for a friend can be a daunting task if the right format and style is unknown.
Confused about how to write a recommendation letter for a friend?
Don’t worry, we will help you write a perfect Reference Letter for a friend.
- Understand the requirements of the job and the candidate
- Discuss about your relation to the candidate
- Give examples to support your claims
- Talk about some unique qualities
- Do express your willingness to be contacted for further details
- Provide your contact information
Who Is Eligible to Write LOR for a Friend?
To write a personal reference letter for you, you can approach anyone who knows you well and can vouch for your personal qualities and talents.
Below are a few people you can consider to write a reference letter for you.
- Longtime Neighbor
- Fellow volunteer
- A family friend who is very close to you
- Coach
- Mentor
- Business contact
Final Checklist
Here we provide you a checklist to help you ensure that you don’t miss out anything important in writing a personal reference letter for a friend.
- Did I include my details?
- Did I state the connection between me and the candidate?
- Did I vouch for his or her abilities?
- Did I include my contact details?
- Did I mention the specific qualities of the candidate which makes the candidate suitable for the job mentioned?
Do's and Don't in Your LOR
A recommendation letter has to be crafted with great care.
Below we list a few Do’s and Don’ts while writing a reference for a friend.
Do’s
Don’ts
Start early to write a quality LOR for your friend
Don’t be vague in your explanation
Give examples to support your claims
Don’t be boastful about your friend
Do follow a correct format
Don’t lie
Follow the guidelines
Don’t cross the word limit
Provide your contact information
Don’t forget to proofread the document
Tips for Writing
With the experience of writing hundreds of recommendation letters for friends, our experts have come up with the following secret tips to help you craft a great Recommendation Letter for friends.
- Keep it short and brief
- Be careful that you put the address correctly
- Strictly adhere to guidelines to write a character reference letter
- Submit within the deadline
- Do customize your letter to the needs of the candidate
- Analyze few samples and references to better write your letter
Conclusion
Congratulations.
You have reached the end of the blog.
Are you now confident to write a reference letter for a friend?
If yes, do you find this blog useful?
Share your opinions and queries as comments in the comment section below.
We would be delighted to offer you our professional assistance in writing an LOR.
Mrs. Sreeja Sudha
With a specialization in academic content writing, Sreeja Sudha is a skilled Content Writer and Editor who has got years of experience in crafting Statement of Purposes (SOPs) for students who are aspiring to pursue a masters degree . Her passion for delivering impactful and captivating pieces made her a top choice for students to craft their academic documents. Her expertise in various subjects, writing styles, and a tailored and persuasive writing approach helped her successfully cater to students' academic goals.