Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
This question is about how to write a letter of recommendation.
Reference letter vs. recommendation letter
The difference between a reference letter and a recommendation letter is that a reference letter is a document used to validate a professional's skills and experience written by a previous employer, while a recommendation letter is the same type of document, but it can also be written by someone other than a former employer.
Reference letters are used when a job candidate is seeking a new position. They might be requested by the company the job candidate is interviewing with or the job candidate might request a reference letter themselves from their previous employer to help them prove their skills, experience, and expertise to prospective companies.
Though a recommendation letter is very similar to a reference letter in that it verifies the skills, experience, and expertise of a job candidate, this letter might be written by someone who is not the job candidate's former employer. Examples include college professors, industry colleagues, professional associations, and other sources.
Key Takeaways:
| Reference letter | Recommendation letter |
|---|---|
| A reference letter is a document used to validate a professional's skills and experience written by a previous employer. | Though a recommendation letter is very similar to a reference letter in that it verifies the skills, experience, and expertise of a job candidate, this letter might be written by someone who is not the job candidate's former employer. |
| Job candidates can request a reference letter from a previous employer, manager, coworker, or some other professional that they have previously worked with, sometimes from other sources like a college professor. | Job candidates can request a recommendation letter from a previous employer or coworker, but also from sources that the candidate did not work with, like a college professor, an industry colleague, or a professional association. |
| Reference letters often work primarily as character reference sources for job candidates, and include items like work ethic and skills. | Recommendation letters are often used when the candidate wants to be recommended for a specific opportunity in their field. |
| Reference letters can be used in the context of work, volunteer work, or academics. | Recommendation letters have more specificity in terms of being written for a particular job, professional opportunity, or academic program. |
Choose from 10+ customizable resume templates
Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
