Source: yahoo.com.hk

A reference letter can undoubtedly make a difference between a candidate’s acceptance or rejection, hence it is essential for one to acknowledge the method in writing this document.

First and foremost, the salutation used should be either ‘To whom it may concern’ or ‘Dear sir/Madam’ as a formal greeting to the receiving party. One of the most vital information to be included in the first paragraph is your own qualification and your relationship with the candidate. This can make the letter more compelling as it convinces the receiver that the points you made were valid.

In addition, generally speaking, the reference letter is an evidence to validate a person’s character, integrity and capability. Weaknesses should be a minor subject or even omitted since the letter acts as a positive boost to the applicant. However, specific aspect of the candidate mentioned should not be hyperbolic or too vague as well. The letter should be concise with relevant reasoning to solidify the candidate’s content in their personal statement as well as their competency for the job title. An elaboration of the entrant’s CV can also be done so that it can highlight prior prowess or experience that the candidate has in a certain field. These can be written in the second and third paragraph in the letter as main substance in the letter.

Last but not least, a short conclusion can be written. Phrases such as ‘a valuable addition/asset to the organization’ can be used to reinforce the recommendation whereas ‘Yours faithfully/sincerely’ are commonly applied for complementary close.