Letter of Recommendation - I have to write it myself!!

My boss is a very well known and respected member of my community and I have asked him to write me a letter of recommendation to add to my application for uni next year. He has said he would be delighted to put forward a recommendation - HOWEVER - he has asked me to draft the letter first and then he will top and tail it.

I mean, I get that I am his secretary and all - but geez!!!

So now I am in the process of drafting the letter and I don't want to sound full of myself but at the same time I need to list all of my qualities. How am I going to feel when he puts big crosses through words that describe me and changes them?

AHHHHH..

So my question, should I include my qualities in the draft or should I just leave blank spaces for him to put them in?

This sucks :(

Pretend you're writing it for someone else, and be brutally honest. I've written a recommendation for myself, and my boss agreed with all of the stuff I wrote. I think you know yourself best.

I also read a few days ago that you were trying to write a letter of motivation. How did that go?

I'm still working on the letter of motivation. I've got all my main points down and now I am just trying to structure it. I will post it in that thread when its done and will welcome feedback!!

I've nearly finished this letter of recommendation too - I will post it shortly before I put it on my boss's desk!

I'm aiming to get the whole lot in the mail by Friday or Monday - so stressed out!!!

OK here is the letter. I would really welcome any changes or suggestions!!!

To Whom It May Concern,

It is my pleasure to recommend Amy ****** as a candidate for the Undergraduate Arts program at ******* University. Amy commenced employment at ********** in 2006 as a receptionist and was quickly promoted to the position of Executive Assistant.

Amy brings to all of her activities energy, enthusiasm, and commitment. As the Executive Assistant of ***********, Amy is responsible for providing secretarial services to the CEO and Board. In her role, Amy is required to have excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills, comprehensive computing skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, be self motivated and have a high standard of written and verbal communication skills. This speaks to her overall competence and ability to learn, attributes that will serve her well in undergraduate study.

Amy is a valued member of our organisation. The characteristics that Amy shows in her work make it easy for me to give her an unqualified endorsement for undergraduate study. Her combination of commitment, integrity, creativity, and compassionate character will certainly make her a valuable member of any academic program. I encourage you to look favourably upon her application.

Kind regards

Yours sincerely

*************
Chief Executive Officer

I wrote a letter of motivation for mature aged entry to Murdoch Uni (my 2nd preference) and it was a pain. But at least you don't have to sit a STAT test!

Good luck, amysarah. I'm sure you'll do just fine. :)

Posted at the same time!

That's excellent, Amy. I think he would be hard pressed to write a better one himself! LOL!

Is it a bit OTT though?? Lots of adjectives!!

I think that sounds great, good on you, you did an awsome job!!! hope you get it :)

I like it. I think that when you write a letter of recommendation, you need to pack a punch.

There are so many words that describe me though - I feel like the letter is not much more than a bunch of adjectives!!

What do you think? Are all the words and sentances I've used necessary?

OK here is my final version which I have just put on his desk:

To Whom It May Concern,

Letter of Recommendation

It is my pleasure to recommend Amy ********** as a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts program at ********* University. Amy commenced her full-time employment at *********** in February, 2006 as Receptionist and was quickly promoted to the position of Executive Assistant.

Amy has a friendly, can-do attitude and brings, to all of her activities, energy, enthusiasm, and commitment.

As the Executive Assistant, Amy is responsible for providing administrative and secretarial services to the CEO and Board of Directors. In this role, Amy is required to have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, comprehensive computing skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, be self motivated and have a high standard of written and verbal communication skills.

These qualities highlight her competence and ability to learn, attributes that will serve her well in undergraduate study.

Amy is a valued member of our organisation. The characteristics that Amy shows in her work make it easy for me to give her an unqualified endorsement for undergraduate study. Her combination of commitment, integrity, creativity, and determination will certainly make her a valuable member of any academic program.

I encourage you to look favourably upon her application.

Kind regards

Yours sincerely

*****************
Chief Executive Officer