A business recommendation letter, also called a business reference letter, is a short letter that vouches for an employee, a vendor, a contractor or a firm. It describes their skills, work ethic and results, so the reader can feel confident about hiring them or doing business with them. If you need a different kind of letter, browse our other recommendation letter templates.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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A business letter of recommendation is also called a business reference letter, a vendor recommendation, a client recommendation, or a business referral letter. It recommends a business to a customer, or a customer to a business. In other words, any business entity can be the subject of the letter.
Nowadays, we can see a pattern where serious CEOs and employers require some information about a particular employee, about the work reputation in a compulsory reference letter form. Many applicants ask a former manager or a client for a letter before they apply.
Here are common ways people use a business letter of recommendation:
The letter is about you, whether you are a regular employee or the head of a department, but someone else writes it. The writer is someone you work with, someone reliable, and often someone more senior than you. Their support makes a big difference, because their words shape how the reader sees your skills and qualifications.
Thus, the person who writes the letter on your behalf must say something great about you. Ask only someone who knows your work well and is on good terms with you.
People are busy, and writing a good letter can take longer than expected. Give the writer plenty of notice and explain why you need the letter. Choose someone who is happy to write it.
Good people to ask include:
A simple way to help is to write a first draft that lists your best skills and qualities. The writer can then sign it or edit it. This saves them time, and you know the letter has a clear structure and format.
The process takes only a few steps, and a little effort on your side makes the writer’s job easier. Follow these steps from the first request to the final letter.
When the process is done, keep a copy of every recommendation letter for future applications.
A general business letter of recommendation covers who is writing, who is being recommended and why the writer can speak about them. Use the checklist below to make sure nothing important is missing.
Use this recommendation letter template as a quick outline. Each row names one part of the letter and what to write in it.
| Part of the letter | What to write |
|---|---|
| Heading and date | The writer’s contact information, the date and the recipient’s name |
| Salutation | A formal greeting, such as Dear Hiring Manager |
| Introduction | Who you are, who you recommend and how you know them |
| Body | Two or three strengths, each with a short example |
| Closing | A clear recommendation and an offer to answer questions |
| Signature | The writer’s name, title and contact information |
Pick two or three strengths that matter most to the reader, then back each one with a short example. A hiring manager looks for different qualities than a client choosing a vendor, so tailor the letter to the person who will read it.
Specifics make a letter believable. Compare these two sentences about a sample employee, Anna Baker.
There are two formats for a business letter of recommendation, a printed version and an email version. Each one places the writer’s contact information in a different spot, so pick the format first and then follow the layout below.
Start with a formal salutation. Then explain how you know the subject. The subject can be an individual, a business, a group of workers or any other entity. Mention whether you still work with the subject today.
The main body gives a detailed description of the subject, with examples. Cover their abilities, personal characteristics and strengths, and keep the tone positive.
Show the reader why the subject is a great employee or partner. Be specific, and say that you enjoyed working with them. A short personal note adds warmth.
End with a professional closing and stay formal. In a printed letter, leave space for the writer’s signature above the typed name. In an email, add your brief contact details at the end.
When the subject is a business, focus on the working relationship. Say what the vendor delivered, how long you collaborated and how it handled problems. Mention the quality of its work and its communication. Close by saying whether you would hire the firm again.
When the letter supports a job application, write it for the hiring manager. Name the position, explain how you know the candidate and describe the strengths that fit the job. A reference letter for an employee works best when each strength links to the tasks the candidate will handle.
Add a short example of reliability or teamwork, then say plainly that you recommend the candidate for the job.
Here are a few suggestions for writing a business letter of recommendation. Start with what to do, then check what to avoid before you send the letter. A few minutes of planning helps the letter sound professional and sincere.
Avoid these mistakes in your letter of recommendation:
Before the letter goes out, take a few minutes to go through this short list.
Writing a letter from scratch can be hard, so here are two sample business letters of recommendation you can use as a template. The first recommends a service provider. The second is a letter from a client to a contractor.
Tips for using the samples as a template:
____________
(Your name and company)
____________
(Your address)
____________
(Your cell number)
____________
(Your email)
____________
(Current date)
____________
(Recipient’s name)
____________
(Recipient’s company)
____________
(Recipient’s address)
Dear _____ (write the recipient’s name),
I am writing to recommend the services provided by _______ (write down the name of the organization that provided the services).
I have been using _______ (write the name of the organization) to ______ (describe the activity that was done, the amount of time, and so on). I have been fully satisfied with their work. The organization does a perfect job and has always completed its work on time. Add details here: _______ (write any qualities of the service provided, describe the work done, and rate it).
We have also worked with ______ (write the name of the organization) on additional tasks such as _____ (describe any additional services the company provided, if there are any). The company offers reasonable prices, and they always do exactly what we ask.
I sincerely recommend the services of ______ (write the name of the organization). If you have any questions or points to clarify, please do not hesitate to reach me.
Sincerely,
_______ (leave your signature here)
_______ (write your name here)
Subject: A letter of recommendation for _______ (write about the subject of the recommendation here)
Dear ______ (write the name of the recipient),
I would like to recommend ______ (write the name of the subject being recommended) as an applicant for a job in your company (or indicate any other purpose for the recommendation). In their position as ______ (indicate what the subject did as part of their occupation), they worked for ______ (indicate the period they worked at the company or under your guidance).
Throughout their time with our company, ______ (write the name of the subject being recommended) showed crucial abilities that make them an excellent worker at your corporation. They did a large amount of work in the position and were a very active person in our organization, taking part in all working events and extracurricular activities.
______ (write the name of the subject being recommended) has exceptional soft skills and is remarkably organized. They work efficiently on several tasks at once to make sure all of the work is done on time.
______ would be a wise and hardworking addition to any company, and I sincerely recommend them for any job position of their choice. If you have any questions or need any clarifications, let me know.
Best regards,
________
(Your name)
________
(Your email address)
________
(Your cell-phone number)
These answers cover the questions people ask most often about writing a business letter of recommendation. Each answer is short and practical, so you can find what you need quickly and return to your letter with more confidence.
Yes. Both names describe the same kind of letter, and so do vendor and client recommendation. The wording changes, but the purpose stays the same: to vouch for a person or a business with specific examples.
Most letters fit on one page. Three or four short paragraphs are enough to name the relationship, describe the key strengths with an example, and close with an offer to answer questions.
Yes, many writers welcome a draft. Send it to the writer to edit and sign. This saves their time and helps the final letter cover the points that matter to the reader. A useful draft lists:
Either works. A printed letter looks formal and leaves room for a signature. An email is faster and easy to forward. Choose the format your recipient prefers, and ask them if you are not sure.
Use a warm but professional tone. Write in the first person, keep sentences short and avoid exaggeration. Praise that comes with a clear example sounds more honest than a list of adjectives.
Yes, a template gives you the structure, so you only add names, dates and examples. Edit the template until the letter sounds like you and fits the reader. The sample letters above work as a ready template. For an academic recommendation letter, choose a template written for school.
Ask a manager, a senior colleague or a client who knows your work well. Reference letters carry more weight when the writer can describe your results with examples. Offer a short summary of your work, so the writer can write a letter faster.
Select Create My Document at the top of this page and answer a few questions about the writer, the subject and the recipient. You can save your progress, then download and print the finished letter.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
