一封推荐信除了信头、发信日期、收信人姓名、称呼、信尾谦称、签名、推荐人姓名、职务等必需部分之外，正文内容说明应包括下列各项：
被推荐者的签名——为便于对方查询，被推荐者的签名仅写“MrWang”或“MissZhang”是不够的。用标准的汉语拼音或英文拼法都可以，但必须由被推荐者自己提供，且前后必须一致。
认识被推荐者的时间（Howlonghaveyouknowhim／her）——何时开始认识，或认识了多久。
认识程度（Howwelldoyouknowhim／her）——是偶尔见面还是关系密切，或仅教过一年还是担任其导师。
与被推荐人的关系（Relationship）——师生关系，上、下级领导关系等。
被推荐人的表现（Performance）——学习上、生活上、课堂上和课外活动上的表现。
结论意见——愿意推荐或不愿意推荐，无保留或有所保留的推荐、普通推荐或极力推荐，必须明确，当然极力推荐为最好。以上六项是任何一封推荐信所必须包括的，缺其中任意一项则都会失去函件应有的功能或会大大降低推荐的效果。
从法律上来说，推荐信(或称“工作证明信”)都是证据性的法律文件，是用来证明您的职业，以及与您的职业相关的工作经验的长短问题的。
一、推荐信的内容：
推荐信应包括哪些内容？这取决于推荐信的用途。我们在这里只从加拿大技术移民的需要这个角度，来讨论雇主推荐信应包括哪些内容。一封合格的雇主推荐信应该包含以下三部分的内容(缺一不可)：
(1)申请人的职业。
申请人的职业，必须在推荐信的第一段，明确说明。
申请人的职业的定义，是一个非常重要的问题。您的推荐信上所列的职业定义，应该是与您的申请表(IMM8)上第一页、第13格中所填写的职业定义，是完全一致的。事实上，您在填写移民申请表的时候，如何确定您的职业，应该是依据您的推荐信的内容。
中国人在写推荐信的时候，还有一个常犯的错误，那就是将职业(Occupation)和职务(Position)混淆使用。
(2)申请人在本单位所完成的具体项目或所参与的具体工作的内容。
您所参加的具体的项目或所参与的具体工作内容，必须一一具体列明。
(3)申请人在完成这些项目时，所使用的专业技能。
如果一封推荐信仅列明前面两项内容，即：申请人的职业的名称，以及申请人所参与的项目或工作内容，但没有说明他在工作中采用什么专业技能来实施该项目，或是完成该项工作，则您可能还是没有办法证明您的职业。
二、推荐信的格式：
(1)避免对申请人的工作态度的推荐。
例如，“某某人工作负责，专业技术精湛，与同事关系配合默契，深得领导和同事的好评”、等等。都是没有意义的花边文字。应一律避免。应该将文字篇幅放在实质性的内容的描述上。
(2)每一个项目或每一份工作的时间排序。
(3)如果申请人有多份工作，每一份工作都要有推荐信。
(4)推荐信的文字。
推荐信到底是应该用中文来写，还是用英文来写，这是由您的工作单位的性质和写推荐信的人的教育程度来决定的。而不是您可以任意决定的。
(5)推荐信应该是签字，还是盖章？
众所周知，中国人是习惯看单位盖章的。而西方人是习惯看签字的。
目前，本人的经验是，应该由单位负责人签字，再加盖上单位的公章。公章可以是单位的名称章，也可以是单位的人事章。取决于签字的负责人的职务。但是，绝对不可以用无关的业务章，例如，财务章。
(6)签字人的资格。
推荐信的签字人可以是单位的主要负责人，也可以是部门的负责人(但是，必须是您的顶头上司。不能是您的同级的其他部门的负责人。更不能是您的下级)。负责人不一定是要正职的。也可以是副职。另外，人事部门的负责人也是可以的。只要他能对您的工作作出客观的、准确的描述。签字人应该留下联络的直线电话号码。签证官可能随时会打电话给推荐人，核实推荐信的内容(以防作假)。
(7)推荐信所用纸张和书写格式。
推荐信必须用单位的信笺纸。不能用没头没脑的白纸。否则，看上去不像是真的。在目前的技术条件下，最好是用打字的办法。不要手写。
(8)推荐信的签署日期。
推荐信必须要有签署日期。没有签署日期的推荐信，看上去很马虎。令人联想到推荐信本身的内容的准确性可能是有问题的。
(9)签署推荐信的人的名片
这是必须要附的一份文件，不论在北京，香港还是Buffalo
三、能否不提供推荐信或是工作证明
对有些申请人来说，有时候，提供推荐信是一件极为困难的事。例如，您不愿意让现在的雇主知道您正在办理加拿大移民；或是原工作单位已经撤销；或是与前工作单位的领导关系不好。
四、不要作假
千万不要在推荐信上做手脚。应该照实撰写。因为，作假是经不起查的。加拿大移民部近年来一直采取积极的措施，核查中国大陆的申请人的作假的情况。如果被查出有作假，那您的全部的已经作出的努力，包括雅思考试，就全部浪费了
推荐信的正确格式应该是以学校的抬头纸打印，然后在结尾附上推荐人的名字，工作单位，邮件或者电话，再最下面签上推荐人的名字
推荐信样本—经济学
School of Economics Beijing University P. R. China Nov.11, 2008
To whom it may concern:
It is a great pleasure for me to write this recommendation letter on behalf of Miss Yang, a promising student of our School of Economics. During her first two academic years, I was her advisor and now, I am teaching her course COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEM.
Due to Miss Yang ’s high intellect and incessant assiduity, she is an unquestionable top student. Her solid mathematical and theoretical backgrounds are quite worthy of
mentioning. Among the 150 students in her grade, she is one of the three who have never got a grade lower than 90 (in 100 scoring scale) in MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS and LINEAR ALGEBRA. Also, her scores in MACROECONOMICS and MICROECONOMICS were the highest in her 32—student specialty class. At the same time, Miss Yang grasped every chance to satisfy her strong desire for advanced learning. Every time those alumni who had abstained ph. D degree in Ivy League came back to lecture to the graduate students, she audited without exception Their influence, in addition to her own ambition, helps her choose the way to pursue further study.
Moreover, Miss Yang impresses me with her ingenious and creative way of thinking. She often discusses with me about the development of the world economy. Through her logical canalization and stimulating ideas, I am sure she has the talent to combine intellectual independence with well—grasped knowledge appropriately. This can also be demonstrated in our seminars. Profound insight and systematic expression always make her comments attractive and scintillating.
Miss Yang’s English is very good. In the highest level of College English test—Grade 6, only she was awarded “Excellent” certification of 32 students. In my assessment, she has full preparation for graduate study in an English—spoken country.
According to her outstanding performance and responsible personality, the School of Economics recommended her to work for CHINA IMPORT during her spare time, where she got experience and high evaluation. A few days ago, we nominated her as a graduate student, but she gave up the chance because she has admired your university. I can understand her and wish her success.
If further information about her is required, please don’t hesitate to contact with me.
Yours Sincerely,
Dean, School of Economics
推荐信格式
2008-10-28 13:27
几乎所有的大学都会要求美国留学申请人提出推荐信（Recommendation
Letter）,评审委员借着推荐者的文字描述,可以了解申请人的背景状况。它可说明各种成绩单数字以外的其它意义,补充过于计量化、公式化审核的一种评估方式。
美国留学申请研究所一般要求三封推荐信推荐人的身份可以是曾经教你的教授,或是现（曾）职工作单位主管,自已视需要组合。例如,如果你毕业十年,你的推荐人可应有二封工作主管为宜,而毕业一两年顶多一封即足够。
推荐人的职务,并不一定愈高愈有利,相反地,认识你愈久而职称不高,内容又适当地表达你的个性（Personality）,才是上乘的推荐。以下,我们将提供你推荐信需注意的要点,帮助你着手起稿推荐信：
（一）不要拖时间,尽快起草：推荐信需要时间写,何况又得配合老师的时间。所以尽快起草你的推荐信,以便使你的推荐者有充裕的时间,为你的推荐信效力。
（二）提供充份的信息给推荐者：如果你要推荐者能掌握你的优点,你得提供充份的信息。自然,要尽量具体避免空洞地陈述。同时,你也该提供你申请学校截止日期给推荐者参考,以免推荐者耽误了你的申请。
（三）各推荐信的打字书信字体,宜选不同的型式,以示不同的推荐者。属需要圈选的表格者,可以直接以手稿填入。
（四）在逻辑推理下,推荐者不可能知道或了解你的特质,请勿提及。譬如说,学生课外活动的表现就不适于平常教授正式科目的教授提及,除非教授也参与其中。又如其它课堂的表现,除非其它教授曾经提及过,否则不适合此科教授评论学生在其它科目的表现。再如,学生如何在图书馆查数据、写报告花费的时间,一般老师是不可能知之甚详,除非实在太特殊而略有耳闻,故也不适合在推荐信中提及。
（五）推荐信的内容尽量简短有力：不要虚无空洞的形容词,例如他任职于某公司时,勤劳、负责、认真、为人谦虚、诚恳等语句,不宜多引用,最好讲出具体事实,才不流于形式,尤其不要抄袭市面的书信范例,以免流于陈腔滥调,落入俗套。
（六）如果可能的话,推荐者最好与你修的科目或学校相关。譬如说：如果你将来计划主修英文,最好推荐人之一是英文老师。又如,如果你申请常春藤名校（IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL）,推荐者若也是常春藤名校出身,则其推荐信将更有力。 （七）适当提及自己的“缺点”。一封推荐信如果阐述的完全是被推荐的同学的优点，不免让人觉得有粉饰之嫌，如果能恰当地加入一些“缺点”，不仅能令推荐信真实，还会通过“似贬实褒”，反而突出了被推荐人的特殊气质。例如计算机专业、数学专业乃至金融专业的同学，在推荐信中可以考虑加入这样的词句：“该生有时因为过分专注于研究工作而难以平衡生活各方面的关系，这不失为一种美中不足”。这句话似乎是在谈“缺点”，但很明显这样的“缺点”其实正是很多专业最渴望的“缺点”——废寝忘食的工作态度，从而使得“缺点”也为申请提供了巨大帮助。
推荐信包含的主要题
材
（一）与申请者的关系：表达清楚何种方式认识。譬如说是老师、指导教授,老板等。说明交往多久,如果是教授学生关系,对教授的科目做一个简短的说明,如果推荐信者是你的老板（主管）,请详细说明你的工作职责。
（二）推荐者对申请人人格个性特征的印象：譬如学习精神、工作态度、与同事（同学）相处的情形、组织领导能力、学术专长、研究能力、有无工作经验与否,并加注评
语。
（三）推荐者对你能否顺利完成学位的看法：譬如说,描述你对特别分配职务上的表现,以表现你的应变能力。又如,申请者是否有其它潜力未发挥？ 如果申请者的成绩未尽理想,评述你对申请者的看法。解释申请者虽然形式上的成绩未尽理想,却有极深厚的潜力尚未发挥。如果申请者转系,也可以强调申请者有强烈的学习动机, 根据推荐者的观察,相信以申请者的表现,一定可以成功完成学业。
（四）推荐者对申请人人格个性特征的印象：譬如学习精神、工作态度、与同事
（同学）相处的情形、组织领导能力、学术专长、研究能力、有无工作经验与否,并加注评语。
（五）重述推荐者对申请人的支持及能力的确认,以再次肯定对申请人的支持与推荐。
美国留学申请推荐信的模式 推荐信的格式有些模式可循,以下将针对各段提供模式作参考： （一）抬头可用的格式有： Dear Sir/Madam; To Whom It May Concern: （二）第一段：引文句子可以引用如：
“It is a pleasure to recommend to you (name), a former student of mine at (name of university).”
“I an very happy to have this opportunity to recommend (name), who is presently applying for admission to your graduate (or undergraduate) program in (name of program).”
“I understand that (name) is applying for admissions to your graduate (undergraduate) school, and has requested that I write this letter of recommendation for her/him.”
“In my capacity as professor at xxxx University, I have known xxx for three years, as both his/her advisor and professor.”
（三）第二段：这段可以提供最实质的内容。譬如,如果推荐者是教授, 解释学生在他门下所修的课程。
“(name) took two of my courses during the 1984-85 academic year, as follows; “xxxxx” and “xxxxx”.”
“(Name) was enrolled in three of classes from September 1984 to June 1986 “xxx” and “xxx”.”
接下来,教授写一些有关申请人在课堂上的表现,如完成的研究计划、实验室研究、研究报告、考试的成绩、课堂态度、讨论课的参与等,举出实例。
“In my class (es), (name) did excellent work. She always listened attentively, participated activitely in class, and handed in very good written assignment.
“In particular, his/her research paper on (topic) was of
exceptionally high quality, and showed that s/he fully understands and has a strong background in his/her field.”
如果推荐人是工作主管,首先一定要仔细陈述申请人的工作职责,并对申请者工作表现作一评估。如果可能的话尽量列举实例。
“When (name) held the position of (job title) in this company she was one s/he was one of my best employees. His/her job responsibilities included (describe them), and s/he carried out his/her duties with exceptional skill and professionalism.”
“S/he not only did his/her own work, but also helped other employees, and made many valuable contributions to the efficient running to our firm.”
第二段最后一段：可以提及申请人在班上（或公司里）的比较表现（譬如排名）：
“I was rate (name)'s academic ability as in the top 10% of his/her class.”
“Compared against other students that I have taught, I would say that (name) ranks in the upper 10%.
接下来,推荐者可对申请人能否成功完成学业提出看法。举例：
“Based on his/her previous performance, I am certain that (name) would be a very successful student at your university.”
“I believe that (name) possesses all the qualities necessary to make an excellent graduate student in his/her chosen field, and am sure that s/he will make a fine addition to your campus.”
（四）第三段：如果还有其它话想说,请另写一段.例如：英文能力、沟通技巧、领导才能、特殊学术或工作背景。譬如说,如果申请人欲申请的科系是企管系,推荐者可着力描写他们有关申请人商业的专门技术、领导才能,以及申请者所参加的商业活动,例如,有关商业方面的组织社团。又如,申请人申请护理研究所,推荐者可着力描写他们关怀的态度、处理实验室的技能,或是对病人的奉献。
（五）最后,以几句结尾作总结；
“Therefore, I am happy to highly and without reservation recommend (name) for admission to your graduate program. Your kind/serious consideration of his/her application would be most appreciated.”
“I am thus pleased to give my full support and recommendation to (name)'s application for admission to your school. If any further information is required, please feel free to contact me.” 签名： Sincerely,
Sincerely yours, Very truly yours, With best regards,
下面结合上面的部分内容，给出一篇推荐信样例（被推荐的同学是数学系的）
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing this letter of recommendation for Mr.Caleb,my former student. I have known Mr. Caleb for more than 6 years since his freshman year at \"University of Minnesota\". At that time, he took the course-- \"Mathematical Analysis,\" which I taught mainly for junior students majoring in Mathematics. To my surprise, I found he was among the few students in his class who could keep up with the pace of my lectures. Moreover, he often posed thought-provoking questions during the course. Thus it was natural that I liked discussing with this young man
and became familiar with him. The more I knew him, the more I found he was talented at mathematics. As you can see, he got excellent scores on the course. In fact, he ranked No. 1 on this 270 hours course in the talented student class which has 34 intelligent others.
With his outstanding talent and solid mathematical
background, he also did quite well in most other courses during his undergraduate study. By the way, you may wonder why his undergraduate scores look not so good compared to other Chinese applicants. It is easy to explain, because he belonged to the talented student class, which were required to endure harder test papers and stricter grading than most other college students did at least at \"University of Minnesota\".
He even served as Prof. Linda s Research Assistant for one year. No one could deny his commitment to his job. As a matter of fact, Prof. Linda s electronic lab happened to be neighboring my office and I could always see him working in the lab, either repairing the instruments or helping Prof. Linda collect lab reports. Maybe one more example will demonstrate his commitment more clearly. Once he suggested compiling a FORTRAN program to solve a complicated circuit problem in his class. In order to do that, he had to do a lot of computer work. However, because there were few computers available in our computer lab, he had to wake up at 5 a.m. in winter (please note: \"Twin city\" is a downtown near the north border of China, so it is pretty cold in winter and the heating system is not working very well.) to ensure the 1st position of the long waiting line for his classmates and himself! At last he and his classmates finished the program successfully with his great efforts.
As to his personality, I would like to say Mr. Caleb is a warm-hearted, honest and upright student. He was always ready to help others. During my lectures, many students got confused at some points and I could always see Mr. Caleb help them explain during breaks. In the meanwhile, I must admit that Mr. Caleb was a bit impatient sometimes. Finally, I would like to conclude my recommendation as follows: frankly, Mr. Caleb is not a genius, but I promise his great intelligence, commitment to work and his kind nature will impress you deeply. Thus I recommend him without reservation for his admission and financial aid to your program. Please feel free to contact me if needed. Sincerely Yours, XXX
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