A recommendation letter or letter of recommendation is a letter in which the writer assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. Recommendation letters are almost always specifically requested to be written about someone, and are therefore addressed to a particular requestor. Letters of recommendation are typically employment-related, college program admission-related, or scholarship eligibility-related.

Employment letter
These recommendation letters are normally requested by a previous employee who is applying for a promotion or a job with another company. The letters are written by the supervisor who is most familiar with the subject's abilities and work ethic.

• Sample recommendation letters
• How to Write a Letter of Recommendation
• Letter of Recommendation Example

College/University admission letter
These are often required by college and university programmes as part of the application procedure. The letters (of which are normally required at least two) can be submitted by any person in an authoritative position who has first-hand knowledge of the applicant's scholastic aptitude and potential (e.g. teachers, clergy, or employers).

Commendation and recognition letters
These letters are written in order to praise the subject for going above and beyond his/her normal course of duties. For this reason, they are not typically required by potential employers or schools, but they are helpful. They can also serve to nominate a person for a special recognition or award.

Performance evaluation letters
Some companies have regular performance evaluation reviews for each of their employees. An aspect of the review might be a letter written by the employees' supervisor and placed in the employee's personnel file.

Recommendation vs reference

The term "recommendation letter" is often used interchangeably with the term "reference letter"; however, there is a difference between the two types. Letters of recommendation are very specific in nature and normally requested/required and are always specifically addressed to an individual, whereas letters of reference are more general in nature and usually addressed to "Whom It May Concern".