- Make a list of what you remember about them. …
- Start by addressing the recipient with a salutation. …
- Introduce yourself and mention your relationship to the subject. …
- Focus on a few important events where they demonstrated admirable qualities. …
- Make sure you show rather than tell.
Peer Reference Michelle Lewis
When do people need peer references?
People need peer references for a few different situations. Here are some scenarios where people might request a peer reference:
What is a peer reference?
Peer references are formal letters written by individuals who are on the same academic or professional level as the subject of the reference. The reason for this is that the peer either knows, has interacted with, or attended school with the subject. Employers or admissions officers can use their reference letter to confirm a candidate’s moral character and interpersonal skills.
Tips for agreeing to write a peer reference
When you agree to write a peer reference, there are a number of things to take into account to ensure you produce a strong letter. The following advice will help you decide to write a peer reference:
How to write a peer reference
Review the following guidelines to learn how to write a peer recommendation:
1. Make a list of what you remember about them
Depending on your relationship with the subject, you may need to come up with ideas about their personality and your impressions of them when you were either coworkers or students. You can select a few characteristics or instances that come to mind that would be suitable for your peer reference letter by making a list. If you give it some thought, you might also be able to recall more specifics about it.
2. Start by addressing the recipient with a salutation
Perhaps you should inquire as to the appropriate subject to address in the opening salutation. You can address the letter’s recipient as “Hiring Manager” or “Admissions Officer” if they don’t have an exact name. ” Otherwise, provide the recipients first and last name. This prevents confusion with whether to use Mr. , Dr. Mrs. or Ms. Here are a few illustrations of opening salutations:
3. Introduce yourself and mention your relationship to the subject
Your full name, if applicable, your current position title, and your connection to the subject should all be stated in the first few sentences of your introduction. This clarifies important information about your credentials and your relationship to the topic for the reader.
Example: “My name is Payden Breyer. I am a software developer working right now, and Meghan Arbor was my classmate once. “.
4. Focus on a few important events where they demonstrated admirable qualities
To make your point effectively, you should limit the length of your peer references to about one page. As a result, think about highlighting three to four traits and memories of the subject. This keeps them interested and enables you to highlight their best qualities.
5. Make sure you show rather than tell
It’s crucial to “show” the skills you’re talking about when talking about the subject’s accomplishments rather than just mentioning them. An example of a statement that doesn’t just “tell” is provided below.
Now heres an example of showing rather than just telling:
6. Use the conclusion to reaffirm their qualifications
The final chance to highlight the abilities of the subject is in the concluding statement. This typically includes one to two sentences.
As a result, I think Meghan would be a great asset to campus initiatives and admissions processes because of her capacity for interpersonal interaction. “.
7. Provide a closing salutation
Here are some examples of closing salutations:
8. Include your name and contact details for additional reference
An illustration of how to list your name and contact information is as follows:
Payden Breyer
123-456-7891
[email protected]
Peer reference examples
Here are a few illustrations of peer recommendations in various circumstances:
For college admissions
Dear Admissions Officer,
Kennedy Berwick here, writing on behalf of Meghan Arbor, a dear friend and former classmate of mine at the University of Maryland.
In the four years that I had the pleasure of knowing Meghan, she showed a great deal of school spirit by showing up to every athletic event, theatrical production, and student-run charity event. She excelled in her communication classes to the point where she was hired as a peer tutor and even assisted me in raising my Rhetorical Theory grade. In addition to everything else, she worked hard to mentor freshmen and served as an RA from the beginning of her sophomore year to the end of her senior year.
I think Meghan can contribute the same energy as a graduate student at your institution because of her commitment to her school, her academic focus, and her mentoring skills.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Kennedy Berwick
UMD Alumnus
[email protected]
123-456-7891
For a teamwork-related job
Hello Hiring Manager,
As a member of the sales team for two years, my name is Kennedy Berwick, and I had the pleasure of working with Meghan. She was always the one to rally my coworkers and I when faced with obstacles, and she made it a point to cheer us on when we weren’t meeting our daily sales targets. Meghan also created several pitch ideas that assisted us in 15% growth in monthly sales. She also had a way of relating to each customer by getting to know them personally and finding commonalities with them.
I hope Meghan does well in her next professional endeavor.
Thank you,
Kennedy Berwick
UMD Alumnus
[email protected]
123-456-7891
For a former coworker hire
Hello Payden Markhem,
I’d like to suggest Meghan Arbor, a former coworker, for the position of branch social media coordinator. When Meghan and I were coworkers, she put so much effort and devotion into the business’ marketing initiatives. She stayed behind after other staff members left for the weekend to come up with campaign and content ideas. She also created our company’s online presence across four social media platforms. In just two months, this resulted in a 20% increase in engagement.
I believe Meghan could be a great addition to our team, and I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Best,
Kennedy Berwick
UMD Alumnus
[email protected]
123-456-7891
For internal promotions
Hello Kyle,
Regarding potential internal hires for the position of marketing supervisor, I wanted to express my opinions. As a marketing specialist, Meghan Arbor has been a fantastic role model for me and other new employees. She has a natural tendency to take the lead, and she regularly checks in with the marketing coordinators to answer queries and offer advice on assignments for marketing campaigns. She also has a thorough understanding of our product line, and it was with her assistance that I was able to learn about our goods and services when I first started.
I have no doubt that Meghan can bring a new perspective and cutting-edge approach to the position of marketing supervisor.
Thank you,
Kennedy Berwick
UMD Alumnus
[email protected]
123-456-7891
FAQ
Can a friend be a peer reference?
For your job search, friends can serve as reliable personal and professional references.
How do you reference someone else?
The personal reference, also referred to as a character reference, is a brief evaluation of you as a person given by someone who is familiar with you outside of work. Contrast this with the professional reference offered by a previous or current employer.
