Jira & Confluence 
Bitrix24 Letter of recommendation · reference · Word
Recommendation letter template — for an employee, a student or a character reference
Short answer. Four letters you can finish in twenty minutes: a manager’s reference, a teacher’s letter for college or a scholarship, a personal character reference and a short email reference — with phrases that make a letter specific. Relationship: say how you know the person, in what role, and for how long (first paragraph).
We will ask you to confirm this address, then email you the recipient’s reply.
Start typing right in the document — no sign-up. It stays in this browser; save it to your free Layers account to keep it, open it on your phone and share it.
- Ask for the letter and send your résumé or brag sheettype the date
- Send a polite remindertype the date
- Letter submittedtype the date
Check your own case.
Three weeks is common courtesy, not a rule. Some programs give recommenders their own deadline — check the portal.
Lida, Layers template assistant
Enter the deadline and I will show when to ask and when to remind.
The four recommendation letters are open below — keep the version you need and delete the rest.
Deadlines
The rules, with the source
| What | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | say how you know the person, in what role, and for how long | first paragraph |
| Evidence | two or three specific examples with results | body |
| Comparison | rank the person among others you have supervised or taught, if you can | strengthens the letter |
| Leave out | age, health, family status, religion, national origin, disability | job-related facts only |
Many employers allow only HR to give references; check your organization’s policy before writing as a manager.
Step by step
What to do, in order
1
Agree to write it
Only if you can be positive and specific. Otherwise say so politely.
2
Collect the facts
Posting or program, deadline, résumé, two or three things the person wants mentioned.
3
Choose the version
Employee, student, character or short email.
4
Write examples, not adjectives
One concrete story per strength, with a number where possible.
5
Sign and send
On letterhead, signed, as PDF — the way the recipient asked.
Questions
What should a letter of recommendation include?
How you know the person and for how long, two or three strengths backed by examples, how they compare with others, a clear recommendation and your contact details.
How long should it be?
One page — three to five paragraphs. Graduate programs sometimes expect a fuller page; a recruiter’s email reference can be a few lines.
Reference letter or recommendation letter?
People use both terms. A recommendation letter usually supports a specific job or program; a reference letter can be general (“To whom it may concern”).
Can the student read my letter?
Application forms often ask students whether they waive their right to see recommendation letters, which US education privacy law (FERPA) allows. Ask the student what they chose.
Can I write a letter for myself and have it signed?
Some recommenders ask for a draft. Use the template, but the recommender must agree with every sentence and send it themselves.
Can I know when it was read?
Yes. Sent from Layers, you see when the recipient opened the letter and how long they read it.
Official sources
Other documents
Keep the papers in one place
Letters, receipts and notices in one folder you can share with family or a lawyer. The templates and the editor are free; Layers is free for up to 20 people.
Writing template, not legal or HR advice. Follow your organization’s reference policy.