You can create a polished, professional letter of recommendation with ChatGPT in less time than it takes to brew your coffee. All you need is the right prompt. Just scroll down for it if that’s all you’re looking for. However, I have a feeling you’ll want to stick around and read everything.
Let’s keep it real. Writing letters of recommendation is one of those tasks that nobody enjoys. It’s awkward, time-consuming, and, if we’re being real, it’s just not what anyone signed up for. Even managers don’t like it. But guess what? It’s the ’20s, and we have a secret weapon: ChatGPT.
What was that? You don’t like reading? You’re in luck. We also have a podcast version of it right here:
Why ChatGPT Is Awesome for Writing Letters of Recommendation
- Speed: These letters typically take forever to write. What a waste of time. ChatGPT? Lightning fast.
- Polish: ChatGPT’s output with our prompt is clean and professional, saving you from trying to sound good. Because let’s face it, you never sound good.
- Customizable: You can tweak the tone and content to perfectly match the person you’re recommending. As always.
And if you’re wondering which version of ChatGPT to use, I tested my go-to prompt on both GPT4o and o1. Both worked. So, whichever ChatGPT subscription you have, you’ll be fine.
Important Note About Privacy
Before you jump in, let’s talk about what not to do: don’t upload personally identifiable information into ChatGPT unless you’re 100% okay with it and what you may be getting yourself into. If privacy is a concern (as it should be), there’s always Venice.AI, a similar tool that keeps your data private. (Also, you get 20% off with promo code: “RUN20”. Don’t say we never did anything for you!)
My Experience with Recommendation Letters
Let me take you back to 2007. A long time ago, way before I had ever run my first prompt.
I’d just wrapped up my college internship, and my boss told me to write my own damn letter of recommendation. He didn’t want to do it. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Fast forward to today, and if I’d had ChatGPT back then, I could’ve knocked that out in three minutes flat. Instead, I agonized over it for around an hour. An hour I could’ve spent looking at myself in the mirror.
The ChatGPT Letter of Recommendation Prompt You’ve Been Waiting For
Here’s the ChatGPT prompt for recommendation letters. Just [insert] your information as needed.
Copy/Paste Into ChatGPT:
You are an expert business professional with experience writing polished and neutral recommendation letters. Your task is to write a concise (not long-winded) and direct letter of recommendation for [person’s name], a former [job title]. The letter should be addressed “To Whom It May Concern” and use a professional yet approachable tone. Avoid complex language or vocabulary. While [person’s name] is no longer with the organization, the letter must remain neutral and highlight their relevant skills and accomplishments, such as [skills this person has/why you’re recommending them], in the context of their role. Write this in a standard letter/email format, suitable for [person’s name] to use in their job applications. Begin the letter as follows: “To Whom It May Concern,”
A Quick Example of ChatGPT’s Output
Meet Rich Smith, our CFO at Run The Prompts. Here’s what ChatGPT created for him.
“To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to provide this letter of recommendation for Rich Smith, who previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at Run The Prompts. During his time with the organization, Rich demonstrated remarkable skill in navigating complex financial challenges, particularly in managing company finances with limited resources.
Rich’s attention to detail was unparalleled. His meticulous approach ensured that every financial decision was thoroughly evaluated and executed with precision, contributing significantly to the company’s operational stability. His ability to work within stringent budget constraints while maintaining efficiency was a testament to his resourcefulness and expertise.
Additionally, Rich’s extensive network of connections, including those in Detroit’s local communities, proved to be a valuable asset. These relationships enabled him to identify unique opportunities and build partnerships that supported the company’s goals.
Rich’s dedication, financial expertise, and innovative problem-solving capabilities were critical to the success of Run The Prompts. I am confident that his skills will make him an asset to any organization. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Contact Information]“
Final Tips for Using This ChatGPT Prompt
- Personalize the Output: ChatGPT gets you 90% of the way there, but make sure to refine the details.
- AI-Generated Test: There is an off-chance that someone will run the letter through a tool like ZeroGPT.com to see if it was created by AI. If you edited/personalized it a bit, then you’ll be fine.
- Stay Neutral: Avoid exaggerations or statements that could come across as insincere.
- Test It Out: Run a few versions of the prompt to find the tone that works best for you.
Wrapping It Up
Writing letters of recommendation doesn’t have to suck anymore. Thanks to ChatGPT, it’s a painless, almost enjoyable process. Almost.
What did you think of this ChatGPT prompt? Let me know in the comments section below.
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