A letter of recommendation is a letter in which the writer assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. Recommendation letters are almost always specifically requested to be written about someone, and are therefore addressed to a particular requestor. Letters of recommendation are typically related to employment, admissions to institutions of higher education or scholarship eligibility.
Recommendation vs Reference
The term "recommendation letter" and reference is often same and used interchangeably with the term "reference letter"; however, there is a difference between the two types. Letters of recommendation are very specific in nature and normally requested/required and are always addressed to an individual, whereas letters of reference are more general in nature and are usually addressed "To Whom It May Concern".
Sumber: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recommendation_letter
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Example 1 (Letter of Recommendation)
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is my personal recommendation for Cathy Douglas. Until just recently, I have been Cathy's immediate supervisor for several years. I found her to be consistently pleasant, tackling all assignments with dedication and a smile. Besides being a joy to work with, Cathy is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and communicate the benefits. She has successfully developed several marketing plans for our company that have resulted in increased revenue. During her tenure, we saw an increase in profits that exceeded one million dollars. The new revenue was a direct result of the plans implemented by Cathy.
Though she was an asset to our marketing efforts, Cathy was also extraordinarily helpful in other areas of the company. In addition to writing effective training modules for sales representatives, Cathy assumed a leadership role in sales meetings, inspiring and motivating other employees.
I highly recommend Cathy for employment. She is a team player and would make a great asset to any organization.
Sincerely,
Sharon Feeney Marketing Manager ABC Productions
Example 2 (Letter of Recommendation)
To Whom It May Concern:
Carrie Youstis is an exceptional young lady. Most everyone knows of her intellectual acumen, lofty ambitions, dancing abilities, and kindness; indeed, she is a sort of legend in her small hometown of Southwest Plainsfield, NJ, but few know of the struggle Carrie endured during her middle years of high school. Carrie had a close friend, Kaya, whom she had met at summer camp. She and Kaya had grown very close during the first two years of high school. During the middle of tenth grade, Carrie received news that Kaya was suffering from a rare degenerative disease. It was terminal, Carrie was told but did not cry. She did not even take a moment to worry about how this might affect her. She simply called me, her principal, and asked if she could miss a few days of school, explaining to me the grave situation. I told her that, of course, she may miss school, provided that she make up her work. Then, before she hung up, Carrie asked me to pray on her friend's behalf, and said, “ I can go on without Kaya -- I have many friends and I will mourn but I have a wonderful life. Kaya is suffering so much, though, and when it’ s all over, that will be it for her. And she is her mother’ s only child. How will she go on?” I was so impressed that Carrie was thinking about everyone affected except herself: Kaya, Kaya’ s mother, but not Carrie Youstis. Such maturity. Carrie knew she had a wonderful life, a belief in God, but she felt for others so profoundly. Carrie visited Kaya often for several months, always bringing her cards and flowers and of course, good cheer. Kaya finally passed away that Spring, and Carrie made sure to visit the mother every week that following summer.
You will read of Carrie's grades and scores and sports abilities, of her awards and accolades; I wanted to relate this episode, as it characterizes what this remarkable young lady is really all about. As she graduates high school, I and all of Southwest Plainsfield are so sad to see her go, but realize that she is destined to effect great things far beyond the narrow confines of a small town in New Jersey.
Sincerely,
Esti Iturralde
Principal, North Southwest Plainsfield High School
Sumber: http://businessmajors.about.com/od/samplerecommendations/a/RecSample9.htm
