Here's and interesting approach to interview preparation. What I like is that it helps a job applicant refine their personal story and use concise wording to communicate their background and goals.
The process of writing your own letter of recommendation could actually help you gain clarity on your strengths and how they apply to your perspective new employer. A great letter of recommendation showcases a clear story about your personality, skills and abilities that would make you a great fit for a certain job and an asset to a particular employer. To do that one must know the needs of the company, it’s core challenges and the particular pain points of the hiring manager. One also needs to be clear about what you bring to the table that could help that employer solve his/her thorniest problems.If you leave this exercise up to those who are writing your actual letters of recommendations you could be missing the best chance for organizing your thoughts, crafting your story and tailoring it to the specific needs of a hiring manager.