How to Write an MBA Recommendation Letter? A Step-by-Step Guide

An MBA recommendation letter gives the admissions committee an external perspective on the candidate's abilities and character. It helps showcase the candidate's leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through specific examples.

This letter adds credibility to the candidate's application by providing real-world evidence of their potential. It also highlights areas for improvement, showing a balanced view.

As a recommender, knowing how to write a good MBA recommendation letter can improve a candidate’s chances for admission and help them obtain an MBA degree. So, keep reading this blog to learn about the qualities of an impressive recommendation letter and how to incorporate them in the future.

How to Write a Good MBA Recommendation Letter?

Crafting a well-rounded and compelling MBA recommendation letter relies heavily on several factors. Certain aspects, such as introducing yourself clearly and your relationship with the candidate, maintaining a balanced tone throughout the letter, and providing examples to demonstrate the candidate’s qualities, are crucial for a successful recommendation. 

1. Understand the Purpose

An MBA recommendation letter aims to provide the admissions committee with an external perspective on the applicant's qualifications, skills, and character. It should highlight the candidate's leadership abilities, teamwork, professional achievements, and potential for success in the MBA program and future career. Admissions committees look for specific examples of the applicant's accomplishments, work ethic, and interpersonal skills. The letter should also address the candidate's unique strengths and how they stand out among their peers, helping the committee to understand why the applicant is a good fit for the program.

2. Start with a Strong Introduction

Do not underestimate the impact of the introduction, setting the stage for the rest of the recommendation letter. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and describe your relationship with the candidate. When introducing yourself, start by stating your name, job title, and company. Explain your relationship with the candidate, such as whether you were their manager, colleague, or mentor. Mention how long you have known them and in what capacity. For example, you might say, "I have worked with [Candidate's Name] for three years as their direct supervisor at [Company]." Describe the context in which you know them, including the projects or roles you worked on together, to give the admissions committee a clear understanding of your connection and the basis of your evaluation.

3. Provide Specific Examples

Using concrete examples in an MBA recommendation letter is crucial because it provides clear, specific evidence of the candidate's skills, achievements, and experiences. Instead of just saying the candidate is a great leader, describe a project where they successfully led a team and achieved impressive results. This makes your claims more credible and gives the admissions committee a better understanding of the candidate's real-world abilities. Concrete examples also help to illustrate the candidate's impact and contributions, making their application stand out and showing why they are a strong fit for the MBA program.

4. Highlight Relevant Qualities

When writing an MBA recommendation letter, focus on qualities that are important for success in the program. Highlight the candidate's leadership by describing how they motivate and guide others. Talk about their teamwork skills, showing how they collaborate effectively with colleagues. Provide examples of their problem-solving abilities, demonstrating how they tackle challenges and find solutions. Emphasize their strategic thinking by explaining how they plan and execute projects with a long-term vision. These qualities are essential for an MBA, as they show the candidate's potential to excel in business and make meaningful contributions to the program and beyond.

5. Be Honest and Balanced

The admissions committee is probably not looking for the perfect candidate because, no matter the qualities, there is always room for improvement. This is what the MBA program should cater toward. Therefore, maintaining a balanced tone in a recommendation letter is vital. When highlighting the candidate's strengths, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, with specific examples, don’t forget to mention areas where they can improve. This shows that your recommendation is honest and credible. 

For example, you might say:

"While [Candidate's Name] is excellent at leading teams, they are working on becoming better at managing their time."

This balanced approach helps the admissions committee get a well-rounded view of the candidate, making your recommendation more trustworthy and valuable.

6. Conclude with a Strong Endorsement

To summarize the recommendation with a strong and positive endorsement, restate the candidate's key strengths and potential. Highlight their leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Emphasize your confidence in their MBA program and future career success. For example, you might say:

"In summary, [Candidate's Name] is a dedicated and talented individual with exceptional skills in leadership and strategic thinking. I am confident they will excel in your MBA program and make significant contributions.” 

This final endorsement reinforces the positive qualities discussed and leaves a lasting, favorable impression on the admissions committee.

7. Provide Your Contact Information

Including your contact information at the end of an MBA recommendation letter is important to reinforce its authenticity. It shows you are willing to answer any further questions about the candidate. Simply state:

"If you need more information or have any questions, please feel free to contact me." 

Then provide your email address and phone number. This openness adds credibility to your recommendation and assures the admissions committee that you stand by your evaluation. It also makes it easier for them to reach out if they need more details about the candidate's qualifications and experiences.

Example of an MBA Recommendation Letter

To give you an idea of what a successful MBA recommendation letter looks like, let’s examine the following example:

[Your Name][Your Job Title][Company Name][Email Address][Phone Number][Date]

Admissions Committee[Business School Name][Business School Address]

Dear Admissions Committee,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a Senior Manager at [Company Name], where I have worked for the past eight years. I am writing to recommend [Candidate's Name] for your MBA program. I have had the pleasure of supervising [Candidate's Name] for the last three years and have been consistently impressed by their leadership skills, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

In their role as [Candidate's Job Title], [Candidate's Name] led a team of 10 people on a critical project that resulted in an 18% increase in revenue for our company. Their ability to motivate the team, delegate tasks effectively, and solve complex problems was key to the project's success. One particular instance that stands out is when [Candidate's Name] identified a major bottleneck in our process and developed a strategic plan to overcome it, demonstrating excellent problem-solving skills and strategic vision.

While [Candidate's Name] excels in leadership and teamwork, they are continuously working on improving their time management skills. This self-awareness and commitment to personal growth further illustrate their potential for success in your MBA program.

In summary, [Candidate's Name] is a dedicated and talented individual with exceptional leadership and strategic thinking skills. I am confident they will excel in your MBA program and make significant contributions.

If you need more information or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [Your Email Address] or [Your Phone Number]. I am happy to provide further insights into [Candidate's Name]'s qualifications.

Sincerely,

[Your Name][Your Job Title][Company Name]

Feel free to modify this example to fit the candidate’s background you’re recommending.

Conclusion

To write an effective MBA recommendation letter, always introduce yourself and your relationship with the candidate. To strengthen the recommendation letter, it is always a good idea to use concrete examples to highlight their leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills. Maintain a balanced tone by mentioning both strengths and areas for improvement. Summarize with a strong, positive endorsement of the candidate's potential. Including your contact information for further inquiries reinforces the letter's authenticity. A well-rounded endorsement helps the admissions committee get a complete and honest view of the candidate, making your recommendation more credible and impactful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the format of a recommendation letter for an MBA?

An MBA recommendation letter should include an introduction of the recommender, the relationship with the candidate, specific examples of the candidate's skills, a balanced assessment of strengths and areas for improvement, a summary endorsement, and contact information for further inquiries.

How long should an MBA recommendation letter be?

An MBA recommendation letter should be 1-2 pages long, providing enough detail to give a thorough assessment without being overly lengthy.

How do you write an impressive letter of recommendation?

You can write an impressive letter of recommendation by highlighting specific examples of the candidate's leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, maintaining a balanced tone with strengths and areas for improvement, and concluding with a strong, positive endorsement of the candidate's potential.