Letter of advice

Letter of advice
See also
Job specification Employee selection Hard skills Media advisory Executive search Employability skills Coupon book Staff authority Complementary relationships

Letter of advice(also called letter of recommendation) is a document which includes the period of work, duties and achievements of a former employee. The employer may issue the letter to an employee in order to support his application for a new position in another company. It is also an indispensable tool for gathering information about the candidate. A letter of recommendation, depending on the industry and company may be a decisive factor influencing the decision on a recommended person. Many employers request recommendation letters to help them decide who to hire. Beyond the interview and cover letter/cv, companies look at recommendation letters to confirm the candidate's qualifications and to gain insight from an outside party. The letter of recommendation is not a work certificate, although they are often confused. The recommendation letter can also include information on problematic situations that the employee had to deal with and the resolution offered. It shows what experience the candidate will bring to the new role, how he/she will contribute to the company or organisation and how he/she will behave in everyday situations. This is the reason why a recommendation letter is typically written by an employer, professional business connection, client, teacher, coach or by someone else who can recommend the work of an individual.

Types of recommendation letter

There are five primary recommendation letter types.:

• Recommendation letters- job related
• Letters of recommendation- college/ university admission related
• Reference letters- job and community related
• Commendation letters- employment and community related
• Performance evaluation letters- employment related

Recommendation letter should

What makes a recommendation letter stand out?:

• come from a reputable source

The best letters are written by people who can speak about the candidate's skills and accomplishments.

• explain why the candidate will be successful in the new industry
• provide specific examples about the candidate (use of two to three specific anecdotes in the letter in order to increase his/her chance of employment)

It can also be a form of recommendation of a candidate for a post, not by a former employer, but friends working in a given company to which the candidate applies. Nowadays, although internet portals still play an important role in searching employees and work, friends’ recommendation are becoming more frequent. This custom is especially practiced in large corporations and medium-sized companies.

Examples of Letter of advice

1. *John Smith worked for our company for the last three years as a Customer Service Representative. During his tenure, he was responsible for handling customer inquiries and complaints, as well as resolving customer issues in a timely and professional manner. He consistently received positive feedback from customers, and was recognized by the company for his excellent customer service.
2. *Amy Jones was employed at our company for the past five years in the position of Human Resources Manager. She was responsible for managing our recruitment and selection processes, as well as providing employee training and development. Amy was commended for her leadership skills, her ability to effectively manage multiple projects at once, and her strong organizational skills.
3. *Tom Anderson worked at our company as a Graphic Designer for the past two years. He was responsible for creating visual solutions for print and digital materials, as well as ensuring our branding and marketing activities were in line with our overall goals. Tom consistently delivered high-quality work, and was praised for his creativity and attention to detail.

Advantages of Letter of advice

A letter of advice is a great asset for any potential employee. It provides an accurate and objective overview of a person's performance and can be a valuable tool in the recruitment process. Here are some of the advantages of a letter of advice:

• It provides evidence of a person's professional accomplishments, which can be valuable in demonstrating the candidate's capabilities to potential employers.
• It can provide crucial information about the candidate's character, such as their work ethic, attitude, and interpersonal skills.
• It can provide an unbiased assessment of the candidate's technical skills and experience, which can be used to compare the candidate to other applicants.
• It can provide information about the candidate's achievements, such as awards won and successful projects completed.
• It can provide an employer with an insight into the candidate's work history, providing a more comprehensive picture of their professional background.
• It can provide a hiring manager with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the candidate's personality, which can be beneficial when making a hiring decision.

Limitations of Letter of advice

A letter of advice is a useful tool for gathering information about the candidate, however, there are certain limitations associated with it. These include:

• The letter may not provide an accurate representation of the candidate – letters of advice are typically written by the employer, and may be subject to bias or lack of information.
• The letter may not be completely up-to-date – the employer may not have the most current information about the candidate.
• The letter may not provide a comprehensive overview of the candidate’s skills and qualifications – the employer may not have a clear idea of the candidate’s full capabilities.
• The letter may not be representative of the candidate’s entire career – the employer may only have limited knowledge of the candidate’s previous experience.
• The letter may not be applicable to the new job – the employer may not be familiar with the job requirements or the industry in which the applicant is applying.

Overall, a letter of advice can provide valuable insight into the candidate, but should not be relied upon as the only source of information when making a hiring decision.

Other approaches related to Letter of advice

A Letter of Advice is a document that is used to provide information about an employee's performance and abilities. It is typically requested by potential employers when considering applicants for positions. There are several approaches that can be taken when writing a letter of advice:

• Demonstrate the employee's skills: It is important to demonstrate the employee's skills and abilities to potential employers. This should include details about their performance and the duties they have performed.
• Provide examples: It is also important to provide examples of how the employee has gone above and beyond in their role. This could include examples of how they have gone out of their way to help customers or colleagues, or how they have taken initiative to complete projects or tasks.
• Highlight successes: It is also important to highlight any successes the employee has had, such as awards or promotions.
• Focus on the positives: The letter should focus on the positive aspects of the employee's performance, rather than on any specific weaknesses.

In summary, a Letter of Advice is an important document that should provide information about an employee's performance and abilities. It should demonstrate the employee's skills, provide examples of how they have gone above and beyond in their role, highlight any successes they have had, and focus on the positives.

References

• Cole Gerald A. (2002), Personnel and Human Resource Management, Uniwersytet Cornell
• Fawcett Shaun R. (2005), How to Write Winning Letters of Recommendation, National Library of Canada
• Melendez S. (2009), How to Start a Recruiting & Staffing Business, Book Four of The Kitchen Table Office Series, Melendez Publishing
• Sarmiento K. (2014), How to Write Successful Letters of recommendation, Atlantic Publishing Group, Florida

Author: Edyta Chrustek-Krawczyk