From time to time I am called upon to write letters of recommendation for former colleagues. Naturally one does not wish to denigrate the person being spoken of – it is both rude and, in these litigious times, perilous to do so. On the other hand one really does not wish to misrepresent their real merits of the less adequate. For such persons I have found the following form letter to be useful.
To whom it may concern,
I have been requested to write a letter of recommendation for ___________. I must say that I regard him highly; I am happy to say that I can recommend him without qualifications. I am pleased to say that he is a former colleague of mine; his fellow employees agree that the place is not the same without him. In my opinion you will indeed be fortunate if you can get him to work for you; I would urge you to waste no time in making him an offer of employment. I can assure you that no person would be better for any position for which you might consider him.
Sincerely
Richard Harter
This page was last updated December 26, 1997.