Over the years, you have probably requested a few letters of recommendation from employers, teachers, co-workers or friends for jobs, scholarships or school admissions. You may have even written a few letters for others.
The letter of recommendation is a powerful piece of paper: it gives the candidate the author’s endorsement, praise and seal of approval. You don’t write letters for just anyone, only for people you truly value and respect.
Your reflective writing assignment for today is to write a letter of recommendation for yourself. Pretend that you are applying for your dream job and this letter will convince the employer to hire you. It is a surprisingly challenging task to sing your own praises, but write your letter in the third person and try to see yourself from an outside perspective.
A Reflective Writing Recommendation
1. If you happen to have any old letters of endorsement that others have written for you (or vice versa), reread them before you start writing. Notice the language used and the points emphasized. Which of your personality traits, skills and talents would you most want to focus on?
2. First, decide what hypothetical job you are applying for. Be bold; apply to be a National Geographic filmmaker, a web developer for the next Google or a researcher at the Mayo Clinic.
3. Do a brainstorming session in your journal about the knowledge, experience, skills, aptitudes and personal qualities you have that make you a perfect fit for this job. Make a list, separated into categories, and write down everything you can think of that supports your case as a candidate.
4. Now begin your reflective writing exercise. Tell the employer all the reasons this applicant would be an amazing addition to his or her staff (and be effusive in your praise!). For example:
Dear Mr. Obama,
I am writing to give my wholehearted recommendation to Lauren Ramirez, who is the ideal candidate to become your new Secretary of Education. Ms. Ramirez has 25 years of teaching and school administration experience, and she has been the chair of her local school board for the past five years…
5. When you have finished, read your letter out loud to yourself and believe the words you have written!
What dream job did you choose for your reflective writing exercise? Did you find it difficult or easy to write your own letter of recommendation?
Not sure how to get started? Try one of our 120+ Journaling Ideas for successful Muse prompting.
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