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DRAFTING YOUR OWN LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
It is common for referees to ask someone to draft or outline your own letter of recommendation.
Sometimes a referee will write it entirely themselves but other times they will use the draft or
outline you provide as a basis and then add, delete, and edit the information from there. A referee
may think very highly of you, and still ask for you to draft your own letter of recommendation to
make sure they don’t leave out your important qualifications because they are busy.
If your referee does not ask for a draft or outline of the letter of recommendation, you should still
provide them with the information listed above for letters of recommendation. If they ask for a
draft or outline, write a version of the letter that they could submit, although they may edit it.
Letters of recommendation vary widely in content and form, but solid letters contain a number of
common traits.
ACCOMPLISHMENT/QUALITIES: Make a list of key strengths and experiences you want to
include along with concrete, convincing evidence. Potential areas to consider:
o Professional/Academic Qualities: Are you an effective leader, a visionary and
forward thinker? Do you function as an active participant in a team setting? Are you a
keen analytical thinker? Are you capable of conducting sophisticated research?
o Strengths/Specific Skills: Do you communicate constructively, consistently and
concisely? Do you have strong interpersonal or presentational skills? Fluency in
certain languages? Digital or social media experience? Are you technologically savvy?
o Personal Qualities: Do you work well collaboratively with others? Are you creative?
Adaptable to change? Are you a highly motivated self-starter?
o Past Accomplishments: What are the principal two or three accomplishments you
have achieved under this person’s guidance?
o Future Potential: What do you believe you are capable of achieving?
RECOMMENDATION LETTER OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION (1 paragraph)
o Begin by clearly stating referee’s position, where they work, their relationship to you, and
how long you have known and/or worked with one another (what context) and general
“thesis” statement regarding your abilities/suitability for position.
o Give a general impression of yourself with specific information on why you are qualified,
what you can contribute, and why your referee is providing a letter of recommendation.
BODY (2-3 paragraphs)
o State your most noteworthy qualities as it applies to this program or job position, and
support that claim with a specific anecdote.
o Include additional relevant and compelling traits and back them up by offering examples
that clearly illustrate these qualities.
CONCLUSION (1 paragraph)
o State why you think your plans suit you (as your referee) and how you think you will
contribute to the program or company.
o Strongly reaffirm your confidence in your abilities (as your referee) and conclude by