推荐信大体上可分为两种：专业推荐信（特意为被推荐人申请某一单位的某一职务而写的。写信人应了解聘方的要求、工作性质等有关情况以便有的方矢地推荐被荐人）。通常推荐信（即一封信可以用于不同的聘人单位，通常以“To Whom it May Concern”）为称呼。
推荐信要多写优点，充分肯定成绩，篇幅不宜过长，也不能三方两语。一般包括以下三个内容：
1．说明推荐人与被荐人的关系，熟识程度等。
2．概述被荐人的品质、能力、性格等。]
3．建议招聘人录用。
推荐信上应提供推荐人的工作单位、地址、电话等以便对方联系，签名后必须注意职称或学衔。
除了请别人推荐，也可以自荐，其格式与上述要求相同。
1. 推荐研究人员（专用） Recommendation of researcher
Dear Sir,
I take pleasure in recommending to you [Mrs Chen Ping], [instructor of physics in Tianjin Chinese Medical College].
[Mrs Chen Ping] graduated from [the physics Department of Beijing Teachers’ University in 1982]. From [1983] to [1985] [she] had been a research student [in Physics Department] of the above-mentioned University under my direction, majoring in [molecular spectra] study. Since [1986 she] has been doing teaching and research work in [Tianjin Chinese Medical Col-lege] in [the line of infrared spectra of lipids]. I have found [Mrs Chen] to be a hard-working person, who has made some outstanding achievements in [her] work.
[Mrs Chen] now intends to engage in further study of [infrared spectroscopy, and laser spectroscopy] in particular. If possible, [she] would like to do research work under the direc-tion of [Professor Li Gang] whose distinguished attainments are well-known.
Not only I myself but also my colleagues in [the Physics Department of our university] shall deem it a great favor if you will give [Mrs Chen Ping] assistance and guidance during her study in your university.
I wish to apply for a position with your [publishing house]. I’m [35] years old and am at present employed by [World Publishing House], where I have been for [the past five years]. Formerly I was employed by [Dongfang Press] where I was nearly [five years].
My only reason for leaving either those positions would be to better myself and I feel there is no further opportunity in my present position.
The editorial work had always had a great appeal to me as I have some ability in writing and editorial work.
I can give you references from both these press houses as to my character and ability as an editor.
Following the increasing rapidity of our communications with countries abroad, China is having a large number of visitors from different countries. Today, we feel very much honored to have [Prof. Martin. Wilson] with us. [Prof. Martin. Wilson] is well known to the world for his achievements in the field of [mathematics].
First of all, let me, on behalf of all present here, extend our warm welcome and cordial greetings to our distinguished guest.
Now let us invite [Prof. Wilson] to give us a lecture.
Thank you for your nice welcome and reception. It has been a long cherished hope of [ours] to visit [China] some day. [We are] fortunate to enjoy this rare chance today. [We] feel specially honored to be given this opportunity to meet such a nice group of distinguished peo-ple like you. [We are] sure [our] stay here will be a fruitful and enjoyable one. [We] do hope to see more of you while [we are] here.
How time flies! It was here that we gave [Prof. William Tomson] a hearty welcome [two weeks] ago. We are now here again to bid [him] farewell.
As you know, [Prof. Tomson] is well known to the world for [his] great achievements in the field of [mathematics]. During [his] stay here, [he] has visited many universities and col-leges and given us many lectures on it. [He] has also made a tour to many parts of our country. [He] will leave for home [tomorrow morning]. We, therefore, sincerely, hope that [he] will benefit us with some advice and valuable suggestions.
Finally, we want to take this opportunity to beg [him] to convey our profound friendship and best regards to [his] people.
First of all, allow me to thank you for you kind invitation to attend [the party]. I am greatly [honored] once again to have an opportunity to visit your great country and meet with so many of its people. This visit has been full of [interesting] things and everything here left me a deep impression. I have visited factories, schools, farms and cultural institutions. I have talked with and make friends with many workers, farmers, clerks, scientists, artists, teachers and students. We discussed work and study and life together, and I have I learnt a lot during my short stay here. It has given me much better [understanding] of your country and peo-ple …….
I wish to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt [gratitude] to your again.
May the friendship ties between our two people be further developed and consolidated.