Letter of Recommendation for Employee — Free Manager Template
When someone who worked for you asks for a letter of recommendation, they're counting on your view as their manager. This version is written from a supervisor's perspective and focuses on the employee's role, measurable results and the qualities a future employer will care about most.
Your details
No account needed. Your letter updates as you type.
Live preview
Free to preview[Your full name]
[Your email and phone number]
October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear Hiring Manager,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for a job. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
- Clean PDF + editable Word (.docx)
- No watermark, print-ready on US Letter
- Download link emailed to you
One-time payment, secure checkout by Stripe. FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.
What a manager's recommendation should show
Hiring managers read a supervisor's letter for evidence of how the person actually works. Mention the employee's title or titles, how long you managed them, and any promotions. Then pick two or three strengths that match the job they're applying for.
Back those strengths up with a result: a project delivered, a process improved, a customer kept, a team trained. Approximate figures are fine as long as they're honest.
Before you write
Ask the employee for the job posting and a short list of their accomplishments. You'll write a sharper letter if you know what the new employer values.
Check your company's policy as well. Some organizations require managers to route recommendations through human resources or avoid company letterhead, especially for current employees.
Mistakes to avoid
Don't pad the letter with every task the employee ever did; choose the two or three that matter most for the job they want. Avoid mentioning health, family, age or other personal matters, even positively, and don't share confidential numbers, client names or internal plans. Finally, make sure dates and titles match what the employee lists on their résumé, since a mismatch can raise questions.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for employee
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Angela Ruiz
Director of Marketing, Harborview Health
angela.ruiz@harborviewhealth.org, (555) 315-8820
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for Brian Walsh
Dear Hiring Manager,
It is my pleasure to recommend Brian Walsh for a job. I was Brian's direct manager at Harborview Health for four years, during which he grew from marketing coordinator to digital marketing manager.
Brian combines strong analytical skills with genuine creativity. He built our first marketing reporting dashboard, manages budgets carefully and is the calmest person in the room when deadlines pile up. Doctors and nurses across our hospitals ask for him by name when they need help with patient outreach.
One example shows the kind of person Brian Walsh is. Last year Brian redesigned our flu shot campaign around text reminders and short videos featuring our own nurses. Appointments booked online rose by about a third over the previous season, and the campaign is now the model for our other outreach programs.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend Brian Walsh without reservation. I am confident Brian Walsh will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at angela.ruiz@harborviewhealth.org, (555) 315-8820 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Angela Ruiz
Director of Marketing, Harborview Health
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from a reference letter for an employee?
A reference letter mostly confirms facts like title, dates and duties. A letter of recommendation goes further: it argues that the employee is a strong fit for a specific next role and gives examples of why. Many employers accept either.
Can I recommend an employee who's leaving for a competitor?
Usually, yes, as long as you don't share confidential business information. Keep examples general enough that you're not revealing client names, pricing or internal strategy, and check whether your company has a policy on references.
Should I say I would rehire the employee?
If it's true, yes. A sentence saying you would gladly hire them again is one of the strongest signals a hiring manager can get. If you wouldn't, it's better not to write a recommendation at all.
How long should it be?
One page. Three or four short paragraphs with one solid example are usually enough for a hiring manager who may be reading dozens of applications.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.