Write a Recommendation Letter That Actually Sounds Like You Know Them
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.
For a Current or Former Employee
4 promptsReference letter for an employee applying to a new job
1/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a recommendation for [employee name], who worked as [job title] for [length of time], highlighting [skill or quality], in a formal version and a warmer one. Confirm the dates, then send the letter to the hiring manager.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a promotion recommendation for [employee name] moving to [new role or title] from [current role], citing [skill or achievement], about [length, e.g. 250 words], in two enthusiasm levels. Check the new title, then send it to the decision-maker.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a recommendation for [name] from [company] as [job title] applying to [program or school name], focused on [quality, e.g. work ethic] and [quality, e.g. leadership potential], in a formal letter and a shorter form. Paste the short one into the portal if it has a limit.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt drafts a recommendation for freelance [role, e.g. graphic designer] [name] on [project or type of work] for [timeframe], naming reliability and [specific skill], as a formal letter and a portfolio blurb. Send the letter if they asked for one, or let them post the short blurb.
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.
Pro tip: Ask for a version with your title and company spelled out so it reads as credible third-party proof.
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For a Student
4 promptsCollege application recommendation from a teacher
5/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a college recommendation for [student name] from [subject or class] in [grade level or year], citing [quality, e.g. curiosity] and [quality, e.g. persistence] plus [brief example], in two lengths. Add the real classroom moment, then submit the length the school asked for.
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.
Pro tip: Include one specific classroom moment. Admissions readers remember stories, not adjectives.
Graduate school recommendation from a professor
6/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a graduate-school recommendation for [student name], whom you supervised as [role, e.g. thesis advisor] in [department or field], for [program name], citing [quality], in a detailed version and a condensed portal version. Match the portal character limit, then upload the short one if you must.
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.
Pro tip: Reference the specific program name in the letter itself; generic letters read as less invested.
Scholarship recommendation letter
7/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a scholarship recommendation for [student name] for [scholarship name], from you as [relationship, e.g. coach, teacher, mentor], citing [quality] through [activity or achievement], in a formal tone and a more personal one. Tie the activity to the scholarship, then send the tone they asked for.
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.
Pro tip: If the scholarship values a specific trait like leadership or need, ask ChatGPT to lead with that.
Internship recommendation letter
8/20✨ What it does
This prompt drafts an internship recommendation for [student or intern name] applying to [company or field], from [class, project, or activity], citing [skill], about [length], with two opening lines. Keep it short, then send the opener that is not generic.
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.
Pro tip: Keep the letter under one page. Internship reviewers usually skim quickly.
For a Colleague or Peer
4 promptsLinkedIn recommendation for a colleague
9/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a LinkedIn recommendation under 100 words for [colleague name], a [their role] while you were [your role] at [company], focused on [strength] and [example], with two openings. Paste it on their profile, then keep the example specific.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a recommendation for [coworker name] leaving [current company] for [new role or title], after [length of time] on [team or project], citing [quality], as a formal letter and a shorter email. Send the email if they need it fast, or attach the letter.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a character reference for [name] applying for [license or certification, e.g. real estate license], after [length of time] as their [relationship], speaking to [quality, e.g. honesty] and [quality, e.g. reliability], in two formality levels. Sign the formal one for the board.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt drafts a recommendation for [colleague name] launching [type of business], from you as [relationship, e.g. client, manager, coworker], citing [quality], as a formal letter and a short website quote. Let them use the quote on the site, and send the letter if a client asks.
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.
Pro tip: Ask for the short quote version last so it naturally distills the letter's best line.
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For a Personal or Character Reference
4 promptsLandlord reference for a former tenant
13/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a short, factual landlord reference for [tenant name], who rented your [property type, e.g. apartment] from [start date] to [end date], noting on-time rent and [detail, e.g. kept the unit in good condition], in two lengths. Stick to what you can prove, then send it along.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a character reference for [name], whom you know as [relationship, e.g. neighbor, fellow volunteer] through [organization or context], citing [quality] and [example], in a warm version and a more formal one. Keep the example real, then send the formal take if a court or agency asked.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a reference for [caregiver name], your [role, e.g. nanny, babysitter] for [length of time] with [number or ages of kids], citing [quality, e.g. patience] and [quality, e.g. reliability], in two detail levels. Confirm the dates, then send the more detailed one to the next family.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt drafts a sincere personal reference for [name] applying to [adopt a child / become a foster parent], from you as [relationship, e.g. friend, sibling, coworker] for [length of time], citing [quality], in two lengths. Only send it if you can stand behind it, then use the length the agency asked for.
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.
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 promptsShort recommendation letter for a quick turnaround
17/20✨ What it does
This prompt writes a short recommendation of about [length, e.g. 150 words] for [name], whom you know as [relationship], focused on [quality], with two closing lines. Keep it to one or two strengths, then send it the same day they asked.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a detailed recommendation of about [length, e.g. 400 words] for [name] covering [strength one], [strength two], and [strength three] from [context, e.g. working together for two years], in two structures. Give each strength an example, then pick the structure that is easier to follow.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes a recommendation for [name] almost entirely about [specific skill, e.g. leadership, problem-solving] for the [employer or program], with one example like [example], and two opening sentences. Lead with that skill, then cut extra praise that does not prove it.
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.
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✨ What it does
This prompt writes an honest recommendation for [name], whom you know only through [limited context, e.g. one shared project, a single semester], for [purpose, e.g. a job application], focused on [quality] you actually saw, in two emphasis levels. Do not overclaim, then send the cautious version if you barely know them.
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.
Pro tip: Be upfront in the letter about the scope of your relationship; it builds trust rather than undermining it.
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