Prompt Library

Write a Recommendation Letter That Actually Sounds Like You Know Them

20 copy-paste prompts

Writing a letter of recommendation is hard when you're staring at a blank page and don't want it to sound generic. Paste in a few details about the person and what they're applying for, and these prompts help you draft a specific, credible letter in minutes.

In short: This page contains 20 copy-paste ready prompts, organized into 5 categories with a description and pro tip for each. The first 5 prompts are free instantly, no signup needed. Hand-curated and tested by the AI Academy team.

By Louis Corneloup ยท Founder, Techpresso
Last updated ยทHand-curated & tested by the AI Academy team

For a Current or Former Employee

4 prompts

Reference letter for an employee applying to a new job

1/20

Write a professional recommendation letter for [employee name], who worked for me as a [job title] for [length of time]. Highlight their strengths in [skill or quality] and [skill or quality], and give me two versions: one formal and one slightly warmer in tone.

A polished reference letter you can send straight to a hiring manager.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Mention one specific project or result, not just adjectives, so the letter feels credible.

Recommendation for an employee going for an internal promotion

2/20

Help me write a recommendation letter supporting [employee name]'s promotion to [new role or title]. They currently work as [current role] and have shown strong [skill or achievement]. Keep it to about [length, e.g. 250 words] and give me two versions with slightly different levels of enthusiasm.

An internal-facing letter that backs a promotion case with specifics.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Tie your praise to the actual requirements of the new role, not just general performance.

Recommendation for a former employee heading back to school

3/20

Write a recommendation letter for [name], who worked with me at [company] as a [job title], and is now applying to [program or school name]. Focus on their [quality, e.g. work ethic] and [quality, e.g. leadership potential], and give me one formal version and one shorter version for an online application form.

A letter that connects workplace performance to academic or program readiness.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: If the program has a word or character limit, ask for the shorter version first and trim from there.

Recommendation for a freelancer or contractor I worked with

4/20

Draft a recommendation letter for [name], a freelance [role, e.g. graphic designer] who worked with me on [project or type of work] for about [timeframe]. Mention their reliability and [specific skill], and write two versions: one as a formal letter and one as a shorter blurb I can post on their portfolio site.

A flexible reference that works both as a formal letter and a portfolio quote.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Ask for a version with your title and company spelled out so it reads as credible third-party proof.

Prompts get you started. Tutorials level you up.

A growing library of 300+ hands-on AI tutorials. New tutorials added every week.

Start 7-Day Free Trial

For a Student

4 prompts

College application recommendation from a teacher

5/20

Write a college recommendation letter for my student [student name], who I taught in [subject or class] during [grade level or year]. They stood out for [quality, e.g. curiosity] and [quality, e.g. persistence], especially when [brief example]. Keep it warm but professional, and give me two versions of different lengths.

A teacher's recommendation that balances warmth with concrete evidence.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Include one specific classroom moment. Admissions readers remember stories, not adjectives.

Graduate school recommendation from a professor

6/20

Help me write a graduate school recommendation letter for [student name], who I supervised as their [role, e.g. thesis advisor] in [department or field]. They are applying to [program name] and their strongest qualities are [quality] and [quality]. Give me a detailed version and a condensed one for a portal with a character limit.

An academic reference that speaks directly to research or program fit.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Reference the specific program name in the letter itself; generic letters read as less invested.

Scholarship recommendation letter

7/20

Write a scholarship recommendation letter for [student name], who is applying for the [scholarship name]. I know them as their [relationship, e.g. coach, teacher, mentor], and they've shown [quality] especially through [activity or achievement]. Give me two versions with different tones: one more formal and one more personal.

A recommendation that connects the student's character to the scholarship's goals.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: If the scholarship values a specific trait like leadership or need, ask ChatGPT to lead with that.

Internship recommendation letter

8/20

Draft a recommendation letter for [student or intern name], who is applying for an internship at [company or field]. They worked with me on [class, project, or activity] and showed strong [skill]. Keep it to about [length] and give me two options with slightly different opening lines.

A short, focused letter suited to internship or entry-level applications.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Keep the letter under one page. Internship reviewers usually skim quickly.

For a Colleague or Peer

4 prompts

LinkedIn recommendation for a colleague

9/20

Write a LinkedIn recommendation for [colleague name], who I worked with as a [their role] while I was [your role] at [company]. Focus on [strength] and one specific example, like [example]. Keep it under 100 words and give me two versions with a different opening sentence.

A short, public-facing recommendation ready to paste into LinkedIn.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Start with your working relationship, not their title. It reads more genuine than a resume line.

Recommendation for a coworker moving to a new company

10/20

Help me write a recommendation letter for [coworker name], who is leaving [current company] for a new role as [new role or title]. We worked together on [team or project] for [length of time]. Highlight [quality] and [quality], and give me a formal letter version plus a shorter email version.

A peer reference that speaks to day-to-day collaboration, not just results.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Mention what it was like to actually work with them day to day; hiring managers want that texture.

Character reference for a professional license or certification

11/20

Write a character reference letter for [name], who is applying for [license or certification, e.g. real estate license]. I've known them for [length of time] as their [relationship] and can speak to their [quality, e.g. honesty] and [quality, e.g. reliability]. Give me two versions, one more formal for the licensing board.

A vouching letter aimed at a licensing or certification body rather than an employer.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Check whether the board requires specific language, like 'to the best of my knowledge,' and ask ChatGPT to include it.

Recommendation for a colleague starting their own business

12/20

Draft a recommendation or testimonial for [colleague name], who is launching [type of business]. I worked with them as their [relationship, e.g. client, manager, coworker] and they impressed me with [quality] and [quality]. Write one version as a formal letter and one as a short quote for their website.

A dual-purpose reference that works as both a letter and a website testimonial.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Ask for the short quote version last so it naturally distills the letter's best line.

Like these prompts? There are full tutorials behind them.

Learn the workflows, not just the prompts. 300+ easy-to-follow tutorials inside AI Academy โ€” and growing every week.

Try AI Academy Free

For a Personal or Character Reference

4 prompts

Landlord reference for a former tenant

13/20

Write a reference letter for [tenant name], who rented my [property type, e.g. apartment] from [start date] to [end date]. They always paid rent on time and [detail, e.g. kept the unit in good condition]. Keep it short and factual, and give me two versions: one brief and one slightly more detailed.

A factual landlord reference a tenant can use for their next rental application.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Include the exact rental dates and whether rent was paid on time; that's what most landlords actually check.

Personal character reference for volunteer or community work

14/20

Help me write a character reference for [name], who I know as their [relationship, e.g. neighbor, fellow volunteer] through [organization or context]. They've shown [quality] and [quality], especially through [example]. Give me a warm but professional version and a more formal version.

A personal reference suited to community, court, or volunteer applications.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Avoid vague praise. Ground every trait in one real example so it doesn't read as generic.

Reference letter for a nanny or caregiver

15/20

Write a reference letter for [caregiver name], who worked as our [role, e.g. nanny, babysitter] for [length of time], caring for [number or ages of kids]. Mention their [quality, e.g. patience] and [quality, e.g. reliability], and give me two versions with different levels of detail.

A trustworthy, specific reference that helps a caregiver land their next family.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Note any specific skills, like CPR certification or experience with a particular age group, if true.

Reference letter for an adoption or foster care application

16/20

Draft a personal reference letter for [name], who is applying to [adopt a child / become a foster parent]. I know them as their [relationship, e.g. friend, sibling, coworker] for [length of time] and can speak to their [quality] and [quality]. Keep the tone sincere and give me two versions of slightly different length.

A heartfelt but credible reference for a sensitive family application.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Be specific about how you've seen them interact with children or handle responsibility, if you have examples.

Different Lengths, Tones, and Formats

4 prompts

Short recommendation letter for a quick turnaround

17/20

Write a short recommendation letter, no more than [length, e.g. 150 words], for [name], who I know as their [relationship]. Focus on just one or two standout qualities like [quality]. Give me two versions with a different closing line.

A concise letter for when someone needs a reference fast.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Even short letters need one specific detail. Ask ChatGPT to keep at least one concrete example.

Detailed recommendation letter covering multiple strengths

18/20

Help me write a detailed recommendation letter for [name], covering their [strength one], [strength two], and [strength three]. I know them from [context, e.g. working together for two years] and want the letter to run about [length, e.g. 400 words]. Give me two versions with different structures.

A thorough letter that gives the reader a fuller picture across several strengths.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Ask for one paragraph per strength so it stays organized instead of turning into a list of adjectives.

Recommendation letter focused on one specific skill

19/20

Write a recommendation letter for [name] that focuses almost entirely on their [specific skill, e.g. leadership, problem-solving], since that's what the [employer or program] cares most about. Include one clear example of them demonstrating it, like [example]. Give me two versions with a different opening sentence.

A targeted letter that speaks directly to what the reader is screening for.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Read the job posting or program requirements first, then ask ChatGPT to mirror that language.

Recommendation for someone I don't know extremely well

20/20

Help me write a recommendation letter for [name], who I only know through [limited context, e.g. one shared project, a single semester], for [purpose, e.g. a job application]. I want it to sound honest and specific rather than overstated, focusing on [quality] that I did observe. Give me two versions with different levels of formality.

A letter that stays credible and specific even with limited firsthand experience.

๐Ÿ’ก

Pro tip: Be upfront in the letter about the scope of your relationship; it builds trust rather than undermining it.

Frequently Asked Questions

A brief statement of how you know the person, one or two specific examples of their strengths, and a clear statement of your recommendation. Specifics matter more than adjectives.
Most run 200 to 400 words, or about half a page to a full page. Scholarship and licensing boards sometimes want it shorter, so check their guidelines first.
In most cases yes, especially for jobs and internal promotions. Academic and licensing applications sometimes require a signature or a submission through a specific portal, so check the requirements.
Warm but professional, and specific rather than generic. A letter full of vague praise reads as less credible than one with a real example or two.
Avoid backhanded compliments, exaggerated claims you can't back up, and anything that reveals private or unrelated personal information about the person.

Prompts are the starting line. Tutorials are the finish.

A growing library of 300+ hands-on tutorials on ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, and 50+ AI tools. New tutorials added every week.

7-day free trial. Cancel anytime.