How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Coworker

Writing a recommendation letter for a coworker can make a real difference in their career growth. A well-crafted letter highlights skills, achievements, and professional qualities that employers want to see. It also builds credibility beyond a resume and gives recruiters direct proof of value.

What Is a Coworker Recommendation Letter?

A coworker recommendation letter is a formal document written by someone who has worked alongside a colleague. It shares insights into work style, teamwork, and contributions to projects. This type of letter is used for job applications, promotions, internal evaluations, or even testimonials on platforms such as LinkedIn recommendations.

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Coworker Step by Step

1. Start with a Proper Greeting

   Address the recipient in a professional way, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.” On LinkedIn, greetings are optional but clarity in tone is important.

2. Introduce Yourself and Your Relationship

   Explain your role, position, and how you know the coworker. Mention the duration of your working relationship and describe shared projects or responsibilities.

3. Highlight Skills and Strengths

   Focus on qualities such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, or technical expertise. Choose skills that directly relate to the role your coworker is applying for.

4. Add Specific Examples

   Use examples of achievements to make the letter strong. Show how the coworker contributed to results, managed a task, or helped the team achieve goals.

5. Showcase Professional Traits

   Describe qualities like reliability, collaboration, adaptability, and integrity. These traits make the recommendation more personal and convincing.

6. End with a Strong Closing

   Wrap up by clearly recommending the coworker. For formal letters, add your contact information. On LinkedIn, finish with a direct summary of why the person is an asset.

Key Elements of a Strong Coworker Recommendation Letter

• Clear introduction that states who you are and your relationship with the coworker.

• Specific skills and abilities that align with the new role or opportunity.

• Quantifiable achievements such as results, performance improvements, or team impact.

• Personal qualities like teamwork, leadership, or reliability that make them valuable in any environment.

• Professional closing with contact details in formal letters, or a summary statement in LinkedIn recommendations.

Example of a Formal Coworker Recommendation Letter

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am pleased to recommend [Coworker’s Name], with whom I have worked closely at [Company Name] for the past three years. During this time, I have seen [Name] consistently deliver results across multiple projects and show strong teamwork skills.

One example that stands out is when [Name] led the coordination of a cross-functional project that improved efficiency by 25%. Their ability to analyze problems, communicate clearly, and manage deadlines ensured the project’s success.

Beyond technical skills, [Name] is known for their professionalism, adaptability, and commitment to helping the team succeed. They are respected by colleagues and trusted by managers for their reliability and integrity.

I strongly recommend [Name] for the position they are applying for and am confident they will add value to your organization. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Email] for further details.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]

Example of a LinkedIn Recommendation for a Coworker

I had the privilege of working with [Coworker’s Name] at [Company Name], where we collaborated on several high-impact projects. Their ability to bring fresh ideas, manage deadlines, and inspire the team is unmatched.

One of the most impressive contributions was their role in [specific achievement]. Their problem-solving mindset and consistent follow-through made a real difference to our team’s success.

I highly recommend [Name] for any opportunity that requires dedication, skill, and professionalism. They would be an asset to any organization.

What to Write in a LinkedIn Recommendation?

LinkedIn recommendations have become as important as formal letters. They appear directly on a professional’s profile and strengthen credibility with recruiters, clients, and peers. To make yours stand out:

• Keep it concise, ideally 3–5 sentences.

• Highlight professional skills and a specific example of success.

• Use keywords that align with the coworker’s career goals or industry.

• Close with a strong statement that signals trust and endorsement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Coworker Recommendation Letter

• Writing vague praise without specific examples of skills or achievements.

• Overly personal or emotional language that reduces professionalism.

• Copy-paste templates without tailoring to the coworker’s role or contribution.

• Forgetting to include measurable results when describing accomplishments.

• Making the letter too long or unfocused, which risks losing impact.

Writing a Recommendation Letter with Chatly

Chatly makes drafting a recommendation simple. Instead of staring at a blank page, you can ask Chatly to generate structured drafts, suggest strong phrasing, and refine tone for professional contexts.

By using Chatly’s AI chat features, you can:

• Generate polished drafts tailored to corporate, academic, or LinkedIn settings

• Adjust tone for formal, casual, or executive-level recommendations

• Edit examples into specific achievements that fit your coworker’s role

• Ensure readability and appropriate (web-preferred) structure if posting publicly

Conclusion

Writing a recommendation letter for a coworker is about clarity, honesty, and detail. A well-structured letter can highlight achievements that hiring managers value most. It should read authentic and professional, not generic.

Remember, the best recommendations are specific. Mention key projects, note measurable results, and explain how the coworker’s skills benefited the team or organization. That level of detail sets apart a real endorsement from a routine note.

Key points to keep in mind:

• Focus on specific achievements with measurable impact

• Keep the tone professional and supportive

• Structure your letter with a clear intro, body, and closing

• Personalize the content to avoid generic phrasing

• Ensure the recommendation aligns with the role your coworker is applying for

Suggested Reads

• How to Write a Strong Reference Letter

• How to Write a Cover Letter with No Experience

• How to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation

• How to Write a Personal Memoir