Here is one that I scraped off the Internet. While the overall gist isn't for you, I thought some of the adjectives and items of note might be ones you could adapt for your co-worker.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am proud to recommend a beloved student, Kaya Stone, for your fellowship program. I was asked to write as one who has functioned in the capacity of an employer of Kaya, but I would first like to say a few words about him as a student.

Kaya is a highly intelligent, perceptive young man. He came to our institution committed to capitalizing on the opportunity of his third year of study in Israel, and he left with the satisfaction of having accomplished that goal. Kaya grew in learning, in character, in his depth of understanding. He seeks truth in each area of his life, whether in learning, discussing philosophy, or relating to his fellow students and his teachers. Because of his positive disposition, his reflective way of operating, and all of the character traits that make him so special, Kaya’ s questions never go unanswered, and his searches always bring him to exciting discoveries. As a student, Kaya is outstanding. As an educator, I have watched him grow, seen his talents and abilities not only in the classroom but outside its walls when interacting with all types of people as well.

During his time at our institution, Kaya, who as I’m sure you know is an excellent writer and publicist, also has done a good deal of work for the yeshiva. This has included the text for many public relations brochures and packets, letters to parents, potential donors, and alumni, and essentially any correspondence which I have requested that he compose. The feedback is always overwhelmingly positive, and he has done so much in that way for our yeshiva. Even today, while he studies elsewhere, he continues to do a great deal of this work for our institution, in addition to the recruiting and other services he performs for the yeshiva.

Always, in his work, Kaya is consistent, dedicated and passionate, enthusiastic, cheerful, and a pleasure to work with. He has incredible creative energies and a refreshing idealism tempered only enough to accomplish what needs to be done. I highly recommend him for any position of work, leadership, education, or any other capacity in which he can spread his excitement and share his talents with others. At our institution, we are expecting big things from Kaya in the way of educational and communal leadership in the years to come. And knowing Kaya, he will not disappoint, and probably will exceed our expectations.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to recommend such a special and impressive young man.

I would tend to be concise and not effusive. State what you know about your co-worker, why you would value working alongside her - what are her strengths, what would you trust about her? She can beef up her credentials on her resume, but your input makes her someone who could be part of a team, an asset to the organization.

As a joke, a long time ago, when my DH was climbing the "Corporate Ladder" and was miserable doing it I got him a book for Christmas with the title of something along the lines of "Damning by Faint Praise". There were hilarious examples of reccomendations for employment from people and the only one that has stuck with me is "You will be very forturnate if you get her to work for you".

Since this recommendation is for fellowship funding for a Master's Degree, the organiztion will want to know in what ways she is worthy of the award funds. The first sentence should say that you are happy to reccomend her, and use some word to indicate what level of support you offer, such as happy, delighted, extremely glad, (however you feel about it and her application).

The next paragraph should tell them how you know her. "I have known ____ for the ______years we have been colleagues at ________, where I am (her supervisor, or whatever the work relationship is). Describe how the relationship began and changed over time, if it has.

The next paragraph should tell them why you think she is worthy of their fellowship, including facts about her that will make her a credit to the profession when she completes the degree. For example, " ___(her name) often displays qualities of ______, _______, and _______ in her work and relationships here, and I believe she would make an excellent __________ (whatever she's studing for). Then tell one or two very brief anecdotes that illustrate what you said about her qualities. Say how she is regarded by the other people with whom she works, and how well she carries her share of the responsibilites. Is she a leader, a follower, a cheerleader, a mascot, the most popular "sounding board", or the consoler, advisor, however most colleagues see her.

Next you can offer them your trust that she will be a credit to the funding source by her good work in the future. "It's a pleasure to add my support, and to share my trust that ___her name_

will be a fine credit to ___their organization__ in her future career as ______. It is a particular strength of her application that she has had this work experience before beginning the Master's Degree. She will be a better prepared and more focused student, and will return excellent value for your investment in her education.

To close, you can say that you're happy to answer any further questions they may have. "Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. My preferred contact information is below.

Thank you for the good work you do helping our community prepare __name of job/field for the future.

Sincerely,

Your name

Your job title

If you have official work stationery, with a letterhead, use that.

Note, the letter doesn't have to be very long, just long enough to tell them the basics of what you know about her realtive to the profession for which she wants to study. About a page and a half max, typed. One page is OK if you can fit it all in. Rec letters that are too long are sometimes a little biased toward the personal side and not the objective.

Hope some of this is useful, take what you like and leave the rest!

I did this once. They interviewed me over the phone and asked:

#1) How I knew this person. For how long had I known her.

#2) What did I find was a drawback to their personality. (I said she over thought things, cared too much.)

#3) Did they set goals?

#4) Timely? Punctual?

#5) Easy to work with?

#6) Professional? Patient? Caring? Generally friendly?

#7) Behaves appropriately to work with very young children? Good match?

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I've also had letters of recommendation written for me....during a plant closure.