The Inside Scoop on Recommendation Letters

All our lives we encounter people who help us on our way to success. Whether it is an employer, a community leader, or a clergy member, you know someone who can praise your best attributes. In the scholarship process, you will need these individuals to provide scholarship committees with recommendation letters about your achievements. So, here are some tips you should focus on when preparing your recommendation letters:

1. Valuable Information - Each letter should include a valuable record of your experiences, skills, and abilities. A great recommendation letter builds your credibility and boosts scholarship committees’ confidence in your talents.

2. Intended Audience - The letter should address the intended audience. DO NOT put “To Whom It May Concern:”. Instead, search for a particular committee member’s name or address the scholarship provider. For example, “Dear Toyota Community Scholars Program.”

3. Good Recommenders - Choose wisely. Ask someone who knows you well and can write a great letter that displays your strengths. It does not hurt if this person holds a high position in a company or civic organization. Find someone who KNOWS you!

4. Follow Directions - Scholarship applications ask for different requests when it comes to their recommendation letters. Sometimes, they want a one-page letter with just the general information. On the other side, they may want a detailed two-page letter about your academic work only. So make sure you give them what they want.

5. Tell the Truth - Sometimes, individuals like to stretch the truth about their lives. However, you definitely should not make any exaggerations in your recommendations. You are special enough. Just be honest!

Now that you have the guidelines, how do you actually write and format this recommendation letter? It is quite simple and painless. The letter can be written in a basic format that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. Follow this sample format:

Introduction

• The recommenders should introduce themselves. They can provide their professional position, how they know you, and the length of your relationship.

• Also, they can give a brief overview of their general thoughts about your overall performance.

Body

• The recommender should provide ample information about your talents and skills. Discuss one extraordinary quality in each paragraph.

• They should use specific examples to display how you interact with others.

• Make sure the recommender keeps the body of the letter to two or three paragraphs.

Conclusion

• The recommenders should confirm their beliefs in your aptitudes.

• They can also motivate the reader to contact them for additional information or with any questions of clarification.

• Don't forget to get your recommender to personally sign the letter.

Now, you are equipped with the knowledge necessary to provide you with an excellent recommendation letter. Guess what? You just have to DO IT!

Here is my challenge to you: Contact 3 people and ask them if they can provide you with a recommendation now or in the future. Make sure you get 3 confirmed contacts. Jot down their information for future reference and follow up with them periodically.

When you complete this challenge, email me at info@careervoices.com, and I will give you a FREE Career Voices Scholarship Help worksheet.

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