Effective Short Recommendation Letter: Sample Included

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A short recommendation letter is a brief letter that highlights the key points about a person, such as their skills, accomplishments, and character.

It is typically written by someone who knows the person well and can speak to their abilities and potential. Here is a guide on how to write a short recommendation letter with a sample:

Step 1: Identify the purpose of the recommendation letter

Before you start writing, it’s important to understand the purpose of the letter. Are you writing a letter of recommendation for a job, scholarship, or school application? Understanding the purpose will help you tailor the content of your letter to the specific needs of the recipient.

Step 2: Choose your words carefully

Since you are writing a short recommendation letter, it’s important to choose your words carefully. Use strong and positive language to describe the person, but avoid using overly flowery or exaggerated language.

Step 3: Use specific examples

To make your letter more persuasive and impactful, use specific examples to illustrate the person’s skills and accomplishments.

For example, if you are writing a letter of recommendation for a job, you might mention a specific project that the person worked on and how they excelled in their role.

Step 4: Keep it brief

A short recommendation letter should be no more than one page in length. Keep your letter focused and to the point, highlighting only the most important and relevant information.

Sample 1 – Short Recommendation Letter

Dear [Recipient],

I am writing to recommend [Name] for [Purpose of Letter]. I have known [Name] for [Number] years and have always been impressed by their [Skill/Characteristic].

In [Specific Situation], [Name] demonstrated their [Skill/Characteristic] by [Specific Example]. Their ability to [Skill/Characteristic] is a valuable asset and I have no doubt that they will excel in [Purpose of Letter].

I highly recommend [Name] for [Purpose of Letter] and believe they will be an asset to your organization/program.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

sample 2 – Short Recommendation Letter

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code

DATE

Receiver’s Name
Receiver’s Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear [Receiver’s Name],

I am writing this letter to give the highest possible recommendation for Name of Person, for the position of energy-efficiency project manager for your company.

I was Name of Person’s supervisor for the past three years in the field of setting up recycling systems for small businesses and large corporations, so I know her capabilities. She is the hardest working and most enthusiastic team member I have ever had.

Name of Person was always planning ahead and anticipating problems in a variety of situations. Several times she was able to innovate solutions and impressed our clients with the systems our team created.

She also reduced the energy consumption by 20 percent for a shoe manufacturing company by suggesting they upgrade some of their machines. In fact, she was the leader in finding solutions on every job we did this past year.

She is very even tempered and rarely gets upset or angry. On several occasions, she was the mediator when the team disagreed, and she brought everyone to a satisfactory solution.

I have been her supervisor for the entire time she was working for our company and have watched her develop leadership qualities and gain a deep understanding of the business.

I have no hesitation in recommending her for the energy-efficiency project manager in your company, and believe she will be a great asset for you.

If you have any questions or would like more information, I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at Name@email.com.