Can AI help me write a recommendation letter?
Yes. From your examples of the person's work, it writes a specific, credible letter. It won't invent praise, so give it real stories.
01Why bot
- Letter structure is easy for AI.
- Specific examples are what make recommendations believable.
- You're vouching for the person, so every claim must be true.
02The prompt
Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.
You are an experienced manager who writes strong recommendation letters. Who I'm recommending and for what: [NAME, ROLE OR PROGRAM] How I know them and for how long: [RELATIONSHIP] Specific examples of their work: [2 TO 3 STORIES WITH RESULTS] Their top qualities: [QUALITIES] Your task: write the letter. Rules: - MUST use only my examples and tie each quality to one. - MUST stay under 400 words. - NEVER exaggerate or invent achievements. Give me: the letter.
03Steps
- Ask the person for a list of their accomplishments.
- Run the prompt.
- Read it as if you're signing your name to it.
04What can go wrong
- Only say what you can stand behind.
- Check the program's format requirements.
05What to use
06Our test runs
2 runs, each with a different made-up sample. 0 of 2 passed every check.
The made-up sample:
[NAME, ROLE OR PROGRAM]Jordan Lee, applicant for the Master of Data Science program at Northwestern University[RELATIONSHIP]I have been Jordan’s direct supervisor at TechNova Solutions for the past 18 months, overseeing his work as a junior data analyst.[2 TO 3 STORIES WITH RESULTS]1. Led the migration of legacy sales data to a cloud warehouse, reducing query times by 45% and saving $30K annually. 2. Designed a predictive churn model that increased retention by 12% within six months, directly contributing to $200K revenue. 3. Streamlined the weekly reporting process using automated dashboards, cutting manual effort by 20 hours per month.[QUALITIES]Analytical acumen, proactive problem‑solver, collaborative communicator, detail‑oriented, adaptable.
- Use only supplied examples and tie each quality to one
- Never exaggerate or invent achievements
- Tie each quality to a specific example
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
Jordan's analytical acumen is evident in his work on the predictive churn model, which increased retention by 12% within six months and directly contributed to $200K revenue.
Read the full answer
Dear Admissions Committee, I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Jordan Lee for the Master of Data Science program at Northwestern University. As Jordan's direct supervisor at TechNova Solutions for the past 18 months, I have had the pleasure of observing and guiding his growth as a junior data analyst. Jordan's analytical acumen is evident in his work on the predictive churn model, which increased retention by 12% within six months and directly contributed to $200K revenue. His ability to analyze complex data sets and develop effective solutions is impressive, and I have no doubt that he will excel in the Master of Data Science program. As a proactive problem-solver, Jordan demonstrated exceptional skills in leading the migration of legacy sales data to a cloud warehouse. This project reduced query times by 45% and saved $30K annually, showcasing his ability to identify and tackle challenges head-on. Jordan's collaborative communication style is exemplified in his work on streamlining the weekly reporting process using automated dashboards. By cutting manual effort by 20 hours per month, he not only improved efficiency but also effectively communicated the benefits and implementation plan to the team, ensuring a seamless transition. Additionally, Jordan's detail-oriented approach and adaptability have been essential in his success as a junior data analyst. His attention to detail and ability to adapt to new challenges and technologies have been impressive, and I am confident that he will bring these skills to the Master of Data Science program. In conclusion, I highly recommend Jordan Lee for the Master of Data Science program at Northwestern University. His exceptional skills, combined with his passion for data science, make him an ideal candidate for this program. I am confident that he will make valuable contributions to the academic community and excel in his future endeavors. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Ensure every quality is linked to a concrete example.
The made-up sample (a messier one):
[NAME, ROLE OR PROGRAM]Jordan Lee, applicant for the Master of Data Science program at Metro University[RELATIONSHIP]I have supervised Jordan for about 1½ years as his team lead on the analytics squad at TechNova Solutions, where we worked together on several client projects.[2 TO 3 STORIES WITH RESULTS]1) Jordan designed a churn prediction model that cut client churn by 12% in six months. 2) He led a dashboard overhaul that reduced reporting time from 4 hours to 30 minutes, earning praise from the VP of Operations. 3) He coordinated a cross‑functional data‑cleaning sprint that fixed 98% of legacy data issues, enabling a new product launch.[QUALITIES]Analytical rigor, proactive leadership, clear communication, and collaborative spirit
- Use only provided examples and tie each quality to one
- Never exaggerate or invent achievements
- Write a recommendation letter
- Letter under 400 words (288 words, counted by code)
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
One of Jordan's standout qualities is his analytical rigor, which was evident in his design of a churn prediction model that cut client churn by 12% in six months.
Read the full answer
Dear Admissions Committee at Metro University, I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Jordan Lee for the Master of Data Science program. As Jordan's team lead on the analytics squad at TechNova Solutions, I have had the pleasure of supervising him for the past 1½ years, and I can confidently attest to his exceptional skills and qualities. One of Jordan's standout qualities is his analytical rigor, which was evident in his design of a churn prediction model that cut client churn by 12% in six months. This achievement demonstrates his ability to collect and analyze complex data, identify patterns, and develop effective solutions. As a proactive leader, Jordan excelled in leading a dashboard overhaul that reduced reporting time from 4 hours to 30 minutes, earning praise from the VP of Operations. This project showcased his initiative and ability to drive meaningful change, improving the efficiency of our team's workflow. Jordan's clear communication skills were essential in coordinating a cross-functional data-cleaning sprint that fixed 98% of legacy data issues, enabling a new product launch. His ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to stakeholders and team members was instrumental in the success of this project. Lastly, Jordan's collaborative spirit is a hallmark of his work style. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated a willingness to work with others, share knowledge, and support his colleagues. His positive attitude and energy have been a valuable asset to our team. In my opinion, Jordan has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of data science. I strongly believe that he would be an excellent fit for the Master of Data Science program at Metro University. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, [Your Name]
Check that collaborative spirit is linked to a specific example as required.
How each run works: we fill the prompt with a made-up sample, run it once in Llama 3.3 70B, and GPT-OSS 120B grades the answer against the prompt's own rules. Word limits are counted by code, and every quote flagged as made up is checked against the full answer. Your results can differ. How we test.