ETH Human Resources Beispiel Letter of Reference

Human Resources

ETH Zürich

8092 Zürich

ETH Human Resources Beispiel Letter of Reference, 04.09.2013 Seite 1 von 2

Introduction

A Letter of Reference / Letter of Recommendation testifies to an individual’s skills, personal characteristics and work. Like an

employer’s reference, it is a formal document. Unlike a reference, a Letter of Recommendation has an addressee, like a letter. If the

addressee is known, they are addressed by name. If the letter is addressed to a committee, it begins “Dear hiring committee”, but if

the addressee is not known, then it begins “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”.

Section

Comments

Sample phrases

Introduction

In the first sentence of the Letter of

Recommendation, express your

basic opinion about the skills, work

and personal characteristics of the

person you are describing. Mention

in the first section the reason

for/purpose of the letter, for example

if it is a recommendation for an

academic course of study or a

recommendation for a job.

This letter is in reference to (very low)

This serves as a letter of reference for (fairly low)

I am pleased to write this letter of recomendation for (Average)

I am pleased to recommend (Fairly high)

It is a genuine pleasure and honor for me to recommend (very high)

Position and

context

State your relationship with the

person for whom you are writing the

Letter of Recommendation: what

is/was your position in relation to

them, how long have you known

them/did you know them for.

I have known John Doe since … in my role as his PhD thesis advisor at..

I first met Janet Smith when she came to interview for the position of PhD Student working on a

joint project between myself and the QM Lab. Both the QM Lab colleagues and I had an instantly

positive impression of her and both, strangely, had to keep reminding ourselves that she was

interviewing for a PhD position and not a postdoc.

Overall

assessment…

This section consists of 2 to 6

paragraphs. The length depends on

how long and how closely you

worked with the employee. First give

a general overview of the skills,

potential, personal characteristics

and behaviour of the person you are

describing.

During his studies, John Doe demonstrated a high level of scientific curiosity and a strong

aptitude to practical problem solving.

Janet was an excellent PhD student, able to work very well both independently and in a team.

James was hard-working, diligent, and capable of running many activities at the same time.

What I have particularly valued in Amy, in addition to the general qualities listed above, is her

knack for disassembling a problem into its component parts, and tackling these parts in a

rigorous, quantitative manner.

Human Resources

ETH Zürich

8092 Zürich

ETH Human Resources Beispiel Letter of Reference, 04.09.2013 Seite 2 von 2

Section

Comments

Sample phrases

… Overall

assessment

In this assessment, the main focus

should be on the intended job or

academic course of study. In the

following sections, describe in detail

circumstances in which the person

being recommended demonstrated

the skills and the characteristics you

have referred to. Highlight the

skills/characteristics/behaviour which

are most advantageous to the

individual. This should cover both

technical and social skills. In this

respect, the document should be as

specific as possible.

James strives to understand it, to read all the relevant literature around it, and to find an elegant

solution to the problem.

He was always completely on top of the relevant literature for his research area.

But she was very good at seeking out expertise from other scientists working in the research

group when she needed advice or direction. She was also good at sharing with other PhD

students and postdocs the knowledge that she acquired through her careful and thorough study

of the relevant scientific literature.

John developed numerous project management skills over the course of his PhD training. On the

technical side, he became expert at collecting and analyzing genetic information from fungal

plant pathogens.

Conclusion

Briefly summarise why you are

recommending this person and

exactly which skills equip this person

to occupy the desired post. Express

a clear recommendation such as “I

highly recommend this person” or “I

recommend without hesitation” or

similar.

I predict she will go very far in her academic career and she has the potential to develop into one

of the best in her field.

He has the academic quality to become a professor, but seems to be more drawn to industry. I

believe that any company would be lucky to get him, and I wish him very well in his career.

I continue to be very impressed by Janet’s creativity and vast knowledge, and am convinced that

she will have a stellar research career.

Paul’s research experience has prepared him well for the work that is proposed at the Mayfield

Clinic.

Finally, Jill has many desirable personal qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well in any

career path.

I enthusiastically recommend James for post-doctoral fellowship.

Closing remarks

Offer additional information if

required.

I would be happy to give any further details, written or oral, upon request.

If you would like to ask me any specific question about Jill, please don’t hesitate to contact me.