Letter of recommendation

A letter of recommendation or recommendation letter, also known as a letter of reference, reference letter, or simply reference, is a document 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. Letters of recommendation are typically related to employment (such a letter may also be called an employment reference or job reference), admission to institutions of higher education, or scholarship eligibility. They are usually written by someone who worked with or taught the person, such as a supervisor, colleague, or teacher. Financial institutions, such as banks, may ask other institutions for references to judge, for example, a potential customer's creditworthiness.

References may also be required of companies seeking to win contracts, particularly in the fields of engineering, consultancy, manufacturing, and construction, and with regard to public procurement and tenders, to assess their ability to deliver the required level of service.

Letters of recommendation have a long history: for example in the New Testament, Saint Paul discusses whether he needs a letter of recommendation to commend his ministry to the church in Corinth.

The person providing a reference is called a referee. An employment reference letter is usually written by a former employer or manager, but references can also be requested from co-workers, customers, and vendors. Teachers and professors often supply references for former students. Reference letters for organizations are usually supplied by parties to which the company has provided similar services in the past.

Reference letters for students are usually written by a former teacher or professor.

The employment reference letter can cover topics such as:

In some countries, elements of performance are evaluated using established forms of expression, sometimes euphemistic. For example, in the German-language Arbeitszeugnis, the following terms are frequently used:

This language established itself as an unwritten code in the employment world. Its purpose was to give even weakly performing employees a letter of recommendation that does not sound negative. However, the euphemistically glazed-over descriptions are now codified and generally known, so that the original cryptic intent is no longer served. Nonetheless, it is still standard to use this codified language.