Introduction. A 10-step summary ; Book organization
Letters of recommendation overview. Letter of recommendation defined
What to know before you write a letter. Letter rules and/or guidelines
Writing a strong letter part one : structure, format, & grammar. Letter components ; Formatting elements ; Mailed letters vs. emailed letters ; Paragraphs vs. bullets ; Writing guidelines ; Spell it out and avoid company jargon ; Common gramatical/word use mistakes to avoid
Writing a strong letter part two : content strategy. Identify the purpose of the letter ; Introduce yourself ; Explain your qualifications ; Remember the value of honesty ; Include achievements & results ; Answering questions the reader wants to know ; Provide a means of follow up
The professional letter of recommendation, part 1. Content that matters ; Experience matters ; Avoid templates
The professional letter of recommendation, part 2. The business relationship ; The job opening
The academic letter of recommendation. Undergraduate programs ; Graduate schools ; Scholarships/fellowships ; Internships
Writing a letter of recommendation for a friend
Networking/introduction letter. Professional networking sites ; Introductory emails
Performance evaluations. Three-level systems ; Five-level systems
What to leave out of a letter of recommendation
Sample professional letters of recommendation
Sample academic letters of recommendation
Quick guides for letter writing. Synonyms list ; Character traits to focus on ; Action words