Sample 12:   Sample Reply about a Person
 
Central Midwest University
Pemberton Hall  ·   Mills Road  ·   Ames, Iowa 50012
Graduate Admissions  ·   515/555-1908
 
    
  April 1, 20xx
 
  Mr. Lionel D. Wunsch
Director of Personnel 
Sprinkle Equipment Company   
333 North Glassell 
Olathe, KS 66062-1952
 
  Dear Mr. Wunsch:
 
Begin with the recommendation or other positive information.    I'm glad to recommend Ms. Carmen Montagano for the job of Special Assistant to the President of Sprinkle Equipment Company.  As the enclosed evaluation form indicates, I think very highly of Ms. Montagano, and I think that she is ideally suited for the job as it was described on the form.
 
Tell the reader how you know what you know.   When Ms. Montagano was my student in a one-semester business communication class, she consistently demonstrated superior ability, willingness to work, and a positive attitude.  She always did her work on time and was eager to learn.  Her positive outlook and energetic nature made her a natural class leader.  She has well-developed communication skills, both orally and in writing.  She demonstrated her ability to write a variety of business letters in a clear, concise manner and earned an A for the semester.
     
Subordinate negative information required for an honest reference.   Because of her eagerness to complete tasks, she occasionally did less than accurate work, and at the time she took the class from me, she had not fully developed her proofreading skills.  She did want to do excellent work, however, and was fully capable of absolute accuracy when it was required.
     
Provide additional information that your reader will find useful.
 

 

The closing should be positive.

   Since she completed that course with me, I have had the opportunity to get to know her on a more personal basis through Central Midwest's Chapter of the Office Systems Society.  Ms. Montagano has continued to demonstrate the entusiasm and leadership that she did in my class.  She recently presented the results of last year's Chapter activities at the national conference of OSS.

I'm certain that Ms. Montagano would make an excellent addition to the offices of Sprinkle Equipment Company, and I'm glad to supply this confidential information at your request.
 
  Sincerely,
 
 
 
    Margaret Heckler, Ph.D.
  
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