Saying “reminder about the recommendation letter” at work
Why it can fall flat
“reminder about the recommendation letter”
When a deadline is near and the letter hasn't arrived, a bare “reminder about the recommendation letter” reads like a deadline notice and can feel like pressure on someone doing you a favor. You want it done on time and the writer still on your side.
Say this instead
- 01
Hi Farah, a quick note about the recommendation letter. The portal closes this Friday. Is there anything I can send you to make it easier to write?
Boss · Email
Email to a boss works when the deadline is close, since it names the date and offers help instead of just chasing.
- 02
Hi Toni, a gentle nudge on the recommendation letter whenever you have a moment. It's due Friday, and I'm happy to send my CV or a few bullet points.
Boss · Chat
Chat suits a manager you already message, and the offer of material makes the request easy to act on.
- 03
Hey Hugo, just checking in on the recommendation letter. It's due Friday. Shall I send my résumé or a few notes you can work from? Thanks so much!
Coworker · SMS
Friendly peers who offered to write one will appreciate how short this is and how warm it keeps the tone.
- 04
Hi Leena, thanks again for agreeing to write my recommendation letter. Could you let me know roughly when you expect to send it? The deadline is next Tuesday.
Coworker · Chat
Asking for a rough date fits when you need a timeline, because it avoids the blunt question of whether it's done.
- 05
Dear Mr. Iyer, I hope you're well. I'm following up on the recommendation letter you kindly offered to write. The deadline is June 28, so I wanted to check the timing works for you.
Client · Email
Respect and thanks make this the right pick for a client who offered to help, since it acknowledges the favor.
- 06
Hi Mia, to write your recommendation letter I still need your updated CV and the submission link. Could you send both by Wednesday so I can finish it before the deadline?
Someone you manage · Chat
Writers whose delay comes from the other side can use this one, as it states what you need and by when.
- 07
Hi Karen, I'm checking whether you've received the recommendation letter from my former manager. It was due on Tuesday. If it hasn't arrived, I'll follow up with her today.
Recruiter / HR · Email
Recruiters waiting on a letter get a clear confirmation request here, plus what you'll do next.
Examples
Hi Farah, I hope your week is going well. I'm writing about the recommendation letter for my application, which is due this Friday at 5 pm. If it would help, I can send my updated CV and a short list of projects we worked on together. Thank you again for supporting this. It means a lot. Best regards, Sophie
Hi Toni, gentle nudge on the recommendation letter when you get a chance. The form closes Friday. Happy to send a few bullet points if that would help. Thanks again!
What to avoid
- Opening with “As per my last email” or “Just following up again” sounds irritated.
- Hinting that the writer has forgotten or is being slow will put them on the defensive.
- Waiting until the day before the deadline to send a reminder leaves the writer no room, so send one earlier.
- Leaving out the deadline and where the letter has to go makes it harder for the writer to act.
- Repeated reminders in a short time feel pushy, so offer help once and then wait a reasonable while.