Write a Recommendation Letter for Someone

Question: "...Ray, how do I go about writing a recommendation letter if I want to get my friend into a good college?"

This was a hard one because it's been a while since I did it. I had to pull notes from 2004. I do know that my Intern got into the college, so it must have worked!

Writing letters is just a re-configure of the 4-5 W's-1 H Rule. Follow this method in this order, and you will find it a pretty easy letter to compose:

1. Who wants to get in? Who am I anyway?
2. How long have I known them?
3 What did they do for me, and where.
4.What type of performance did they give?
and the last question
5. Why I think they should be able to achieve entrance into this college or organization or position.

Looking back at it, the writing is a little homespun. But sometimes that is exactly the "putt-in" one needs when looking for a job...a good, honest testimonial.
----------------------

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Suite 302, Intercultural Center
Box 571004, Dept. FSER
Washington, D.C. 20057-1004
December 2, 2004

To Whom It May Concern,


Please consider this a letter of recommendation for applicant Valentine Flegal.

For 16 years I was a television producer and intern mentor for CNN. I chose Ms. Flegal out of a long list of applicants to work as intern for CNN International’s Q&A television program.


I can honestly say that Ms. Flegal was the most intelligent person we have ever hired for that position.


As you know, News Television is “detail rich”. I was impressed that within a week, Ms. Flegal was doing the work of two people and at a quicker pace than others before her. She required very little training.


As her Mentor and Trainer, I found that Ms. Flegal was exceptionally talented at making wise, quick decisions, and that was important during breaking news situations. She most often had done the work before we had asked her.


One important aspect to include was the program content of Q&A. Constantly we were called upon to produce 30-minute programs of topics boring in nature for the general public, but otherwise “smart television” that would appeal to international leaders and diplomats.


Examples of this would include “What is the Future of the World Bank?”, “Is the Hague War Crimes Tribunal Really Working?” and benchmark shows about the success of the Euro monetary system. Ms. Flegal found all of these topics interesting, and gave us ideas on how to make them appeal to a larger audience.



Unfortunately, our “Q&A” program was canceled in early 2004 after an 8-year run.
Since February, I have changed careers, and now work for a law firm in Atlanta as a corporate development strategist.

Ms. Flegal was a friend to me during my job search, and often called to check on my mental well being. This gave me another reason to respect her.

I would be happy to talk with you more about my admiration for Ms. Flegal’s work ethic. Please give me a call if I can be of any help.

Sincerely,

Ray Macon
404-643-8215