Recommendation letter

A letter of recommendation is one in which the writer assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. Recommendation letters are almost always specifically requested to be written about someone, and are therefore addressed to a particular requester. Letters of recommendation are typically related to employment, admissions to institutions of higher education or scholarship eligibility.

Recommendation vs reference

The terms "recommendation letter" and "reference letter" are often the same and used interchangeably; however, there is a difference between the two types. A letters of recommendation is very specific in nature and normally requested and always addressed to an individual, whereas a letter of reference is more general in nature and usually addressed "to whom it may concern". ^{[citation needed]}