This article will help you write a reference letter that not only meets the requester’s needs, but also does justice to the person you’re recommending.
A letter of recommendation for an HR manager plays a key role in validating their skills, experience, and expertise in human resources management. As an employer, you may be asked to write such a letter for a valued employee who is moving on to new opportunities. Writing an impactful letter highlights their accomplishments and strengths, and boosts their chances of securing the desired role.
This comprehensive guide will provide tips and examples to help you create a compelling HR manager recommendation letter.
What is an HR Manager Letter of Recommendation?
A letter of recommendation for an HR manager is a formal letter written by a supervisor or colleague that validates the applicant’s qualifications for a human resources position. It highlights their skills, experience, work ethic, achievements, and unique value to effectively perform HR duties.
These letters are requested when applying for HR jobs such as HR director, HR manager, HR coordinator, HR business partner, and chief human resources officer roles. They provide critical third-party endorsement and are influential evaluation tools during the hiring process.
Who Writes an HR Manager Recommendation Letter?
HR manager recommendation letters are written by:
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Current or former supervisors: As managers who have directly overseen the applicant’s work, supervisors can provide in-depth evaluation of their qualifications, job performance, and potential. This lends greater credibility.
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HR directors or managers Senior HR professionals who have worked closely with the applicant can validate their expertise in HR policies programs, and operations.
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Colleagues or coworkers Insights from peers who have collaborated on projects can present a well-rounded perspective on soft skills like teamwork communication, and problem-solving abilities.
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Professors or academic advisors For recent graduates or those transitioning from academia to corporate HR roles, letters from professors highlight academic achievements, knowledge, and readiness for professional practice
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Board members or community leaders: Volunteering experience enables respected leaders to recommend applicants based on character, dedication, and impact on people and culture.
Tips for Writing an HR Manager Recommendation Letter
Follow these tips to create a persuasive letter that gives the applicant an edge:
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Use official business letter format: With date, recipient’s name and address, salutation, body paragraphs, complimentary close, and signature. This lends gravity.
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Open with a strong introduction: State who you are, your relationship with the applicant, and your enthusiasm for recommending them. This sets the tone.
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Provide context on how you know the applicant: Share details on projects worked on together, reporting structure, and duration of your relationship. This establishes credibility.
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Focus on relevant HR skills and experience: Tailor content to required HR competencies like recruitment, compensation, labor relations, engagement, compliance, analytics, and technology.
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Give specific examples: Include anecdotes of the applicant’s impact on HR metrics, culture, policies, and strategy. back up claims with evidence.
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Highlight achievements: Mention major accomplishments like process improvements, cost savings, and award-winning programs driven by the applicant. Quantify results.
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Comment on work ethic and leadership: Note their commitment, integrity, collaboration, strategic mindset, and ability to influence stakeholders.
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Close with a recommendation: Summarize why you endorse them enthusiastically and good fit they are for the HR manager role.
HR Manager Recommendation Letter Template
Use this sample template as a guideline when drafting your own letter:
Date
Recipient’s Name
Title
Company
Address
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
It is my pleasure to strongly recommend [Applicant Name] for the position of HR Manager at [Company Name]. I have known [Applicant] for the past [X] years in my capacity as [Your Title] at [Your Company]. [Applicant] served as the HR Director on my team and made invaluable contributions during that time.
[Applicant] is an exceptional HR professional with a strategic mindset, people-centric approach, and strong business acumen. [He/She] demonstrated this in leading the HR department and partnering with senior leaders on workforce planning, succession management, and change management initiatives critical to our organizational goals.
Some highlights of [Applicant’s] accomplishments include:
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Driving a 12% increase in employee engagement scores by restructuring benefits packages and introducing flexible work policies.
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Reducing attrition by 17% through diversity and inclusion programs, career development frameworks, and retention strategies.
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Renegotiating vendor contracts to optimize costs by 18% while maintaining excellent services for our global workforce.
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Implementing monthly HR metrics dashboards providing data-driven insights on productivity, turnover, hiring, compensation, and talent development.
[Applicant] exhibits deep expertise in all aspects of HR management ranging from talent acquisition to compensation design. [He/She] is calm under pressure, empathetic to employee needs, and couples compassion with business savvy. I highly recommend [him/her] for this HR leadership role. Please feel free to contact me should you need any other information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Title]
[Company]
[Phone]
[Email]
HR Manager Recommendation Letter Example
The following is an example letter written by a supervisor to recommend their HR director:
April 20, 2022
Jane Smith
Recruiting Manager
ABC Corporation
123 Main Street
California, CA 12345
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am delighted to recommend Olivia Lee for the position of HR Manager at ABC Corporation. As Vice President of Human Resources at DEF Company, I worked closely with Olivia for over 5 years when she spearheaded the HR department as our Director. Her performance consistently exceeded expectations in all aspects of HR management.
Olivia is a strategic, analytical leader who transformed our HR operations using technology and automation to reduce administrative burdens. Leveraging workforce analytics, she provided data-driven counsel to senior executives on talent recruitment, development, compensation, and retention strategies.
Specific examples of Olivia’s high-impact initiatives include:
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Pioneering a diversity and inclusion program that reduced turnover of minority employees by 20%.
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Implementing stay interviews and exit surveys generating insights that led to an employee engagement score jump from 68% to 81% in 1 year.
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Renegotiating medical insurance contracts to reduce premium inflation from 18% to 5% while maintaining employee satisfaction.
Olivia builds strong relationships with all stakeholders and has excellent communication skills. She spearheaded new environmental sustainability programs that enhanced our brand image. I highly recommend Olivia for the HR Manager role and am confident she will deliver significant value through exemplary leadership. Please contact me at 555-123-4567 or [email protected] if you would like to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Mary Peters
Vice President, Human Resources
DEF Company
How to Write a Reference Letter
To write a reference letter using the provided reference letter template and process, follow these steps:
Think about what you can do to make a positive recommendation:
Make sure you can honestly recommend the person without hesitation before agreeing to write a reference letter. If you have reservations, it’s better to decline politely rather than give a negative or insincere recommendation.
Refresh Your Memory:
You can review your records or consult with HR to collect specific information about the person, such as their job title, their duration of employment, and any relevant comments about their performance.
Identify Qualities and Examples:
In your letter, describe two to three qualities that characterize the person you’re writing a reference for. If you can recall specific instances where they showed these qualities, include them.
Recall Specific Experiences:
Your letter should include examples of your interactions with the person, particularly those that highlight their positive attitude, skills, or knowledge.
Be Flexible and Honest:
In addition to using the template as a guide, write the letter in your own voice, concentrating on what is most important to you. Be honest in your assessment, as the individual may ask about the examples you provided.
Tailor the Letter (if possible):
Consider tailoring your letter to reflect the job or program the applicant is applying for. Include qualities and examples that align with the specific role or program, if you know it.
Make sure your reference letter is well-written and sincere. Take the time to make a thoughtful and accurate assessment of their qualifications.
What Is a Reference Letter
Reference letters are documents that describe a person’s character, abilities, and qualities.
Letters of reference are more general than letters of recommendation, which are often requested for a certain job, academic program, or award application. They’re usually not addressed to any specific requester. The individual keeps it for future use and can use it for a lot of things.
Letters of reference should be addressed as “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam” and should provide a complete overview of the person’s characteristics instead of emphasizing their suitability for a specific role.
How to Write A Recommendation Letter for Job Employee Step by Step | Writing Practices
How do you write a human resources manager recommendation letter?
When writing a human resources manager recommendation letter, it is important to emphasize the broad range of skills the candidate offers. A good human resources manager has many responsibilities, and a prospective employer will want your recommendation later to tell why the candidate meets the company’s hiring criteria. Felicity Weeks,
What is a human resource reference letter?
A human resource reference or HR recommendation letter states the characteristics, skills, achievements, and qualities of a candidate seeking employment in an HR position. An HR reference letter template tells an organization why the candidate is best suited for the position.
How to write a human resource recommendation letter for XYZ Corporation?
Human Resources Manager, XYZ Corporation. A human resource recommendation letter for HR manager must include proof of the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. It is essential to provide accurate information and present them in a manner that portrays the candidate favorably.
How to write a manager reference letter?
Here are two templates you can reference while writing a manager reference letter: Dear [insert name], I am writing to recommend [employee name] for the position of [job title]. [Employee] worked with me at [company name] as a [title]. [Provide your professional relationship information and share a positive observation. Also, state your job title].
