Graduate applications rose by 7.3% in 2020 despite the epidemic. In a similar vein, more students are graduating and looking for their first jobs.
With such a difficult task as landing a job or getting accepted into a graduate program, how can students differentiate themselves from the crowd?
One option is through a well-crafted, individualized letter of recommendation from a teacher.
A study by the National Association of Colleges for College Admission Counseling found that while just 46% of institutions say teacher recommendations are of “moderate relevance,” 11% of universities say they are of “great importance.”
Everything you need to know about producing a strong recommendation letter will be covered in this post. Enter the fray!
What is a recommendation letter?
A letter of recommendation is written by a professor or teacher to promote the qualities and talents of a student.
To start their careers or get into an academic program, students need a recommendation letter.
Recommendation letters provide universities and employers with an insider’s assessment of a candidate’s qualities, including their knowledge, abilities, and achievements.
Why are letters of recommendation important?
Admissions officers tend to look beyond a person’s grades or test results and strive to understand the student as a whole when considering admission to a higher degree program.
Similar to this, as a recent graduate looking for work, you don’t have much work experience or former coworkers who can speak to your character, work ethic, and dedication.
Letters of recommendation from a professor, mentor, or teacher are helpful in both of these situations. These letters are extremely important for revealing the student’s intelligence, personality, and characteristics.
Because of this, letters of recommendation from professors are highly valued in application processes.
A letter of support that emphasizes a student’s outstanding academic and personal qualities can significantly increase the student’s chances of being admitted into the program or being given the job.
How to write a recommendation letter for a student
If you’ve never written a recommendation letter before, it could seem overwhelming. It’s possible that you won’t know how to frame the content or what to include or exclude.
Let’s go through five points to keep in mind while drafting a letter of recommendation.
1. Start with a brief introduction.
You should introduce the recommendation letter by establishing your authority as the student’s mentor.
Start the letter of reference by introducing yourself. Mention your position, the subject you teach, or the particular course you taught the applicant. Mention how being the student’s mentor or instructor qualifies you to speak on his behalf.
If you have never taught the student, you should state that you served as the club’s leader or the extracurricular activities coordinator. It’s crucial to show a connection with the pupil in order for your assessments of them to be taken seriously.
2. Directly address the recipient
You can address the reader directly to tailor an effective letter for them. Write the recommendation letter as if you were conversing to the person to whom it should be written after getting their name.
Include the person’s participation in the application process as well. If it’s a recruiting manager, for instance, you can explain how the student will make a big contribution to the team.
You can send it to the program director or admissions counselor if it is for a college student applying to a graduate program.
Find out if your kid intends to submit the same letter of reference to many colleges or employers. If so, drafting a more general letter would be the best way to assist them.
3. Emphasize on the student’s qualification
The time has come to highlight your student’s outstanding academic career. Evidence for all the outstanding qualities that make them a strong candidate for the institution or organization is the main focus of this part.
You shouldn’t limit yourself to a simple list of details and qualities. Instead, concentrate on tales to describe your student’s experience.
Pick a trait and provide evidence to support it. If you emphasize their drive and commitment to their subject, illustrate it with a succinct tale.
You might discuss their academic background as a whole or concentrate on specific high points and accomplishments. Don’t forget to provide them with brief, quantifiable updates on their progress.
You might share your impressions of the student and how you have observed them grow and develop as a responsible and dedicated adult if you have known them for some time. Give an instance of a time when they impressed you in the classroom.
Emphasize the student’s courses or projects that are most pertinent to the higher degree or the job for which they are applying.
4. Also talk about personal attributes
The student’s personal qualities are highlighted in this section of the recommendation letter. The time has come to discuss the student’s conduct and character traits outside of the classroom.
To paint a memorable picture of someone, you might combine their many hobbies and participation in extracurricular activities.
Discuss their involvement in extracurricular activities. Describe their personality traits. Mention their leadership skills if they have any. How do their interests or hobbies enhance their ability as a worker or a student?
5. End your recommendation letter
Your conclusion is just as significant as your introduction. Two crucial components should make up this section:
Share one last time the student’s endorsement, and include a way to get in touch with you (phone number or email) if you have any other questions.
Tips for writing a recommendation letter
When crafting an effective recommendation letter, there are various considerations to make. It’s a crucial piece of information exchange between you and the hiring manager or admissions counselor about the future of your pupil.
Therefore, it’s crucial to write it in the finest method possible. The following are some pointers to keep in mind while you draft a letter of recommendation:
1. Be optimistic
You shouldn’t bring up a mistake your student made when presenting their thesis or when they got into a fight with a classmate right now.
No. You’re composing this letter of reference because you think the student is the finest person for the position or degree program. Don’t include any remarks or anecdotes that imply otherwise.
2. Adopt a conventional business letter format.
The letter of reference serves as a formal means of communication between you and the business or institution. You must therefore adhere to the business letter format.
The letter’s tone should likewise be serious and professional. Avoid using slang or jargon. Just keep in mind that you are speaking to another professional as a professional.
You can quickly adjust the tone of the article with Copy AI’s Tone Changer feature if you need assistance writing in a professional tone. You sound more professional throughout the letter thanks to this technology.
3. Pay attention to the important requirements
It can be tempting to list the student’s numerous credentials and accomplishments that they have accumulated throughout the time that you have known them.
You can talk about two or three of their accomplishments that make them the ideal candidate for the job, then go into more detail.
Try to limit your choices to those that are closest to the job description. Give specific examples to support your claim that the student is qualified for the position.
4. Follow instructions
Ask the student if there are any instructions you need to be aware of before you start. Request information from them regarding how to submit the letter, any other sections that should be included, and the due date for submission.
To prevent jeopardizing the student’s application status, make sure you have all you need to create a pertinent and insightful recommendation letter.
Summary
It’s an opportunity to help shape a student’s future to write a letter of recommendation for them. It serves as evidence of the value of building relationships with people and giving pupils your time and attention.
Offer to provide any further information that will help the reader decide. Thank them for their consideration and time as you sign the letter properly.
