Reference letters: really good samples?

[Connemara]

I've been lucky enough to be offered two glowing reference letters from two prominent individuals. However, both have requested a draft of what I would like it to say and from there they will "tailor" it.

I'd like to see one or two very good sample references. Just sort of looking for standard stylistic cues, length, buzz words and the like. Thanks for the help all.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Connemara

I've been lucky enough to be offered two glowing reference letters from two prominent individuals. However, both have requested a draft of what I would like it to say and from there they will "tailor" it.

I'd like to see one or two very good sample references. Just sort of looking for standard stylistic cues, length, buzz words and the like. Thanks for the help all.

You are so ******* lazy you can't draft your own reference letter? Please PM the contact info for these two people, I have to let them know what a lazy douche they're about to sign their good names over to!

 

[Connemara]

I've never done this before though. Should it be just one page on letterhead? Short paragraphs? Halp!

 

[Piobaire]

My template is on my work computer, but I have three medium paragraphs. I sub in one of a few traits, depending on the person, in the first two. Humor, working well with others, etc. Last paragraph is always the same, something about "Lastly, what has always struck me about so and so is his obvious sense of morality..."

So you're going to have to take that last paragraph out.

 

[Reggs]

No more than one page, and make sure there are many sentences where you can change around buzz words depending on what the job posting said. Also get a nice stash of company letterhead so you can print different versions out as needed.

 

[imageWIS]

Everytime I've had to do this it was unbelivably easy to write. Conne, just make yourself look

I know you are self-interested and vain enough to do that.

Amazingly though, I suck at cover letters...