Someone asked you to be a reference — for a new job, a promotion, a rental application, or a university program — and now you're staring at a blank page. A Letter of Recommendation is one of the most-requested documents there is, and PaperKit drafts a strong, specific one in seconds. Pick WHAT KIND of reference it is — a PROFESSIONAL endorsement, a MANAGERIAL / leadership reference, a CHARACTER reference, an ACADEMIC recommendation, or a case for a PROMOTION — and it reshapes the whole letter: the title, the emphasis (work quality, leadership, personal integrity, scholarship, or readiness for the next level) and the closing endorsement. Then say HOW YOU KNOW THEM — you were their manager, a colleague, a client, a mentor, or their landlord — and it rewrites the opening paragraph that establishes why your recommendation carries weight. Add the details that make a reference credible: how long you've known them, in what context, the role they're aiming for. Want to make it really land? Flip on the HIGHLIGHTS list and add their standout strengths and accomplishments as clean bullet points — the specific, concrete evidence that separates a memorable letter from a generic one. It's a letter TO the recipient, so you (the writer) e-sign it online and send the polished PDF — there's no second signature. (A recommendation is your honest opinion, not a guarantee — write what you genuinely believe; this is a template, not legal advice.)
The big lever — it reshapes the whole letter: the title, the emphasis of the body, and the closing endorsement.
Professional — a general endorsement of their work quality, dependability and skill. Best for a job application.
Overrides the opening paragraph that establishes why your recommendation carries weight.
As their manager, the letter opens by establishing that you supervised their work directly.
Your name appears on the letterhead and you e-sign the hosted letter. This is a letter TO the recipient, so there's no second signature.
Leave blank for a “To Whom It May Concern” letter (academic references default to “Admissions Committee”).
Off = a clean narrative letter. On = PaperKit adds a bulleted highlights block — the specific, concrete evidence that makes a recommendation memorable. (These are your words, not numbers — one line per highlight.)
Turn on what applies. A firsthand-basis paragraph, an overall endorsement, and a “contact me” offer are on by default.
A real recommendation letter. The reference type reshapes the title, emphasis and closing; your relationship rewrites the opening; the highlights list appears only if you turn it on. Publish to get a hosted link you can e-sign online.
$9/mo — remove the DRAFT watermark + “Made with PaperKit” badge, unlimited clean-PDF letters, and Pro across every tool.
A reference letter is a template for convenience, not legal advice. A recommendation is your own honest opinion, not a statement of fact and not a guarantee of anyone's future performance or conduct. Write only what you genuinely believe and can support — a knowingly false or defamatory statement can create liability. PaperKit is not a law firm and records electronic signature via the signer's typed name; confirm what your organization permits you to disclose before relying on this form.