Letters Written Recommendation Reference Types Academic Applying Experience

Letters of recommendations "serve many purposes" (are used for many different reasons), but the most common are academic, employment, and character references.

An "academic letter of recommendation" is used by students to apply for "admission" (entrance to a university or other school) to a school, college/university, or other educational institution. Academic letters of recommendation are usually written by staff or "faculty" (a teacher or professor) at another school who are familiar with the student's "academic performance" (how well one does in school), "study habits" (how often one studies and how prepared one is for class), and "ambitions" (goals; what one wants to do in life).

An "employment letter of reference" or a "career reference" is used to verify an "applicant's" (a person applying for a job's) experience and qualifications, and to assess the applicant's temperament and work ethic. Employment letters of reference are usually written by former "supervisors" (the people one reports to in a job), but they can also be written by "co-workers" (the people one works with) and even "third-party" (outside the organization) suppliers and partners. Employment letters usually describe the roles and responsibilities of an individual, as well as the experience of working with that individual and the "impact" (affect; influence) he or she has had on the business or organization.

Finally, a "character reference" or a "character recommendation" is a less formal document that might be written by a friend, neighbor, or even relative. The letter should comment on the individual's personality "traits" (characteristics), interests, and values like honesty. These types of letters of reference might be used when applying for housing, "adopting a child" (legally bringing a child into one's family), or defending oneself in court.