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Letter
of Recommendation Templateall russian amateur
One of
the biggest challenges in writing is to organize your thoughts effectively;
this section will show you howall russian amateur
Many letters
of recommendation are ineffective because they lack customer-focus - that
is, the authors do not appreciate the readers' perspectives (who are,
of course, the customers). Even
otherwise well-written letters can fall into this trap. My own example
could be a case in point: all russian amateur
Ms. Dunkin is able
to maintain an upbeat attitude, even in adversity. After losing a major
contract after months of preparing an extensive executive presentation,
she focused on learning from the experience how she might do better
next time and was cheerfully busy prospecting for new opportunities
the very next day.all russian amateur
What if the
author doesn't say anything elseall russian amateur
about Ms. Dunkin's upbeat attitude? Well,
we know she has one, but so what? Will the reader necessarily care? all russian amateur
This writer
has provided what a sales person would call a feature: Ms. Dunkin has
an upbeat attitude.all russian amateur
That's a
feature of Ms. Dunkin, as opposed to a benefit of - say - admitting her
to your country club. all russian amateur
QUICK NOTE:
OK, so I've lapsed into sales talk again. Hey, never forget that this
is a sales process; you are trying to sell yourself as a candidate.
If you've never heard of things like assumptive closes and the difference
between features and benefits, you might want to get a book or two on
the subject and bone up a bit. all russian amateur
Sales people
have known for quite some time that customers are motivated by benefits,
not features. Why should a prospective employer want someone with an upbeat
attitude? What is the benefit of hiring someone with this feature? all russian amateur
Extending
this example, let us say that the prospective country club is looking
for new members who can handle being around some of the older members
who have proven to be kind of grumpy around new faces. In such a case,
an upbeat attitude might be important. all russian amateur
But has our
hirer thought about that? Probably not. He knows he is looking for someone
who can handle difficult people (a benefit), but he probably hasn't translated
that need into the features he should look for that will provide it. After
all, there are other options... all russian amateur
- Someone
with a take-charge kind of attitude (a feature) might not be intimidated
by a bunch of sour-pusses and just zip right by them.
- Someone
with a great sense of humor (another feature) might be able to get them
in a better mood.
Any number
of features might be appropriate. all russian amateur
In this transaction
(and it is a transaction - you are trying to sell the candidate to the
reader!), you are the seller, not the customer. As the seller, it is your
job to make these feature-to-benefit connections; you must connect your
features to the benefits that reviewers seek. all russian amateur
Top / Bottomall russian amateur
To finish
our thought on Ms. Dunkin, we might add: all russian amateur
This allows her
to deal with difficult - even hostile - people without becoming discouraged.all russian amateur
This completes
the circle and ties her feature to an customer benefit. all russian amateur
So here is
the formula (what we call our "success formula") you can use to put all
of this together: all russian amateur
- Trait -
Describe a positive characteristic of the candidate (E.g. upbeat attitude)
- Example - Provide a specific example of when the candidate exhibited the trait
(E.g. bounced back after losing contract)
- Expected
Result - Explain the benefit(s) the employer will enjoy by accepting
the candidate because of this trait. (E.g. able to handle grumpy members)
Top / Bottomall russian amateur
Here are
a couple of other examples: all russian amateur
Ms. Jones has a
great deal of native intelligence. She is a fast learner, able to develop
sophisticated skills quite easily. For instance, she taught herself
basic sign language in only a couple of weeks. This intelligence will
allow her to find ways to challenge and fascinate even the brightest
of children.
(Application for
a nanny position) all russian amateur
Ms. Jones is a goal-oriented
individual with a bias for action. She anticipates problems and is proactive
about finding solutions. For example, she spearheaded a computer system
upgrade project that included developing an office network, which greatly
improved office efficiency. Her initiative will be a very valuable consideration
to your organization because she can be counted upon to infuse energy
and drive to your fund-raising projects.
(Application for
a non-profit volunteer position)
all russian amateur
Need
some more help getting your thoughts organized?
Try out section that explains how to use a letter
of recommendation form.all russian amateur
Putting it All Together
all russian amateur
all russian amateur
Here are
some overall tips...all russian amateur
UNDERSTAND
THE CUSTOMER
Gather information about the person and the organization that will ultimately
receive the letter. Comb the Internet and the local library for any
information that might give you insights that can help you tailor your
pitch. You need to find out what the reader's key hot buttons are. all russian amateur
REVIEW
YOUR OWN QUALIFICATION
Identify which of your skills and accomplishments are most noteworthy.
For each of the key benefits sought by the reader, find a trait that
would indicate that you can fulfill this need. These traits will be
the key features on which you will focus your letter. all russian amateur
Top / Bottomall russian amateur
CAPTURE
SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
For each of the traits you plan to cover, come up with a specific example
in which you demonstrated to the recommender that you have that trait. all russian amateur
SUCCESS
FORMULA
Use the feature-example-benefit model ("success formula") to write one
paragraph on each of the key traits. Start with the most important benefit
(the hottest of the customer's hot buttons) in the first paragraph,
followed by the second most important, and so on. Insert linking text
to make the letter flow (e.g. first of all,… secondly,… etc.). Insert
these paragraphs just before your overall evaluation. all russian amateur
SOFTEN
NEGATIVE COMMENTS
Have you said anything that could be interpreted as a negative trait?
If so, rewrite that section, highlighting how you have used your strengths
to overcome your (very few!) deficiencies. all russian amateur
CHECK TONE
Keep the tone of your letter business-like. Don't make your recommender
sound too familiar with the reviewer or with you. all russian amateur
CHECK LENGTH
Pare down the letter if needed to keep it to one or two pages. Delete
less important traits and non-essential information. all russian amateur
HAVE SOMEONE
PROOF IT
Have someone else read over your letter for typos, grammar errors, and
awkward or confusing phrases. Other people can usually proof your writing
better than you can. all russian amateur
REVIEW
WITH RECOMMENDER
Once you have finished your draft, it is a good idea to sit down with
the recommender and review the letter side-by-side. Make whatever changes
you think are fair. You should indicate that you have seen the letter
using the cc at the bottom. You should proof again carefully if you
have made any changes. all russian amateur
CHECK CONTACT
INFORMATION
Make sure you have all contact information and addresses accurate. Double
check the spelling of all names. all russian amateur
MAKE AN
ATTRACTIVE PACKAGE
Finally, print your letter on your recommender's company letterhead.
Have him sign the letter in blue or black ink. all russian amateur
SEND IT
OFF
Finally, make one final check on everything. Make sure the envelope
is addressed correctly before you seal it. Then send it off! all russian amateur
WRITE A
THANK-YOU LETTER
Always write a formal thank-you letter when you receive a letter of
recommendation... Always! all russian amateur
FOLLOW
UP WITH THE RECOMMENDER
Contact the recommender to discuss how you've made out and - if possible
- how your letter was received.all russian amateur
Next Steps...
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