Saturday, April 15, 2017

The Best Way to Write a Letter of Recommendation? Let the Person Asking Do It

Whether you’ve been asked to write a letter of recommendation for a student or colleague, or you need a letter of recommendation yourself, deciding exactly what to include can be tricky.

Maybe you’re busy, and don’t have much time to spend on the letter. Perhaps you’re not that close to the person asking you for the letter – what does she work on again? Fear not. This article will help you to write an amazing letter of recommendation with very little effort.

Before you start, first consider letting the person asking to write it himself

Not all letters of recommendation were actually written by the person who signed them. In fact, it’s actually pretty common for employees to write their own letter of recommendation, simply giving it to their boss to read through and sign off.

There are a few key reasons why writing your own letter of recommendation is a good idea:

  • You know your own work better than anyone.
  • You can tailor the letter to include points you know will be relevant to your future career.
  • Your boss/teacher might not have time to write a thorough letter – you do.

So, if someone’s asked you for a letter, why not propose letting them write it themselves? At the very least, ask them for a few points on what they’d like you to include, as well as some details on what they plan to use the letter for. This makes the whole process much quicker and easier.

One teacher said this about the experience of asking her students to write their own recommendation letters [1]:

They can write a much stronger letter than I ever could about their performance.

The beautifully constructed and thoughtful letters that they produce on their own behalf are always mind-blowing.

If you really need to write it, read on…

If having the person who needs the letter write it themselves isn’t an option, don’t worry. We’ve summarized the key points that should be included in an employer recommendation letter and a character recommendation letter below.

Key points for an employer recommendation letter

For employer recommendation letter, specific details that can highlight the person’s key strengths are always favoured. Check these things

  • Your employee’s job title
  • Length of employment
  • Key achievements while working for you
  • Skills, experience and personal attributes that make the person a strong employee
  • The reason you agreed to write the letter
  • Details on how to get in touch with you for questions

Here’s an example of a great letter of recommendation. [2]

This letter gives details on exactly what the employee did, what her key strengths were, and why she’d be a valuable asset to another employer. It mentions her personality as well as her professional experience, creating a well-rounded picture.

Key points for a character reference letter

A character reference letter focuses on personality and will look a little different to an employer reference letter. Check out the list of key points to include below.

  • How you know the person (friend, co-worker, family member, business partner, etc).
  • Positive personality traits the person possesses, with examples if possible. For example, ‘Kate is very organized and caring – she runs a charity fundraiser every year.’
  • Key skills. For example, ‘Joe is great with animals and often cares for my pets while I’m away.’
  • The reason you agreed to write the letter.
  • Details on how to get in touch with you for questions.

Check out this example for further inspiration. [3]

This letter is great because it gives lots of details om Jane’s strength, clearly explains the author’s relationship to Jane, and gives examples to back up the points made.

Don’t despair next time you’re asked for a letter of recommendation. Either ask the person to help out by writing it themselves, or follow the simple formula above to easily write an excellent letter.

Reference

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You Won't Believe These Pasta Dishes Are All Under 500 Calories!

Pasta is one of the most versatile foods in the world. On its own, it is bland and quite tasteless, but these characteristics also make it the perfect ingredient for adding virtually anything to. It can suit vegetarian, vegan and even gluten free diets.

Despite pasta being branded as unhealthy in the past due to its level of carbohydrates, it is actually relatively healthy, with only about 131 calories per 100 grams. Also, depending on what you eat with your pasta, you can increase the health benefits, for example, a pasta salad that is full of green vegetables can be a healthy and filling meal. A healthy pasta salad will also leave you feeling less bloated than some other pasta dishes.

So, here are 20+ under 500 calorie healthy pasta salad recipes you can try at home:

1. Broccoli And Ham Pasta Salad

Broccoli is said to have many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on top of all its other nutritional benefits. This salad is only 343 calories per serving and quick and easy to prepare.

2. Greek Pasta Salad

This vegetarian salad is only 480 calories per serving. The chick peas provide a great way to incorporate some protein.

3. Antipasto Pasta Salad

At only 451 calories per serving, this pasta salad is perfect for those who love meat but want some healthier ways to include it in your diet.

4. Mexican Pasta Salad With Creamy Avocado Dressing

For those who love the taste of guacamole, this creamy salad ticks all the boxes while only being 290 calories per serving. Avocado is also rich in nutrients, healthy fats and fiber.

5. Tuna And Vegetable Pasta Salad

Tuna fish has very high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce cholesterol in our blood vessels and arteries. This salad is quick and easy to make and only 275 calories.

6. Pesto Pasta Salad With Sun Dried Tomatoes And Asparagus

Asparagus is a great source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E and K and many other nutrients, including iron and fiber. This salad is also only 474 calories per serving.

7. Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Kale is a well known superfood. It is low in calories and fat and high in fiber and iron, as well as a lot of other nutrients. This super healthy pasta salad is also only 390 calories per serving.

8. Pasta Salad With Parsley Pesto And Two Squashes

This colorful pasta salad is only 159 calories per serving. It is also suitable for vegans and full of healthy vegetables.

9. Creamy Pasta Salad With Shrimp And Tomatoes

It can be tricky to find a shrimp pasta salad that is low in calories, especially a creamy one. However, this pasta salad is only 259 calories per serving.

10. BLT Pasta Salad

This salad is a lovely twist on the classic BLT sandwich, and at an astonishing 72 calories per serving, it’s probably healthier too.

11. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

If you’re a fan of the classic chicken caesar salad, then here it with a slight addition. The pasta also makes the salad more filling while only being 375 calories per serving.

12. Spinach Pasta Salad

Spinach is well known for its health benefits. It is high in iron and low in fat and cholesterol amongst many other benefits. This pasta salad is also only 230 calories per serving.

13. Sweet And Tangy Pasta Salad

This vegetarian pasta salad is light yet packed with protein, perfect for a light lunch. It is also only 90 calories per serving.

14. Quorn Sausage, Rocket And Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad

Quorn sausage is a great alternative if you are vegetarian, or even if you just want a healthier alternative to meat sausage. This pasta salad is only 379 calories per serving.

15. Lemony Salmon And Dill Pasta Salad

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high in vitamins and is a great source of protein amongst many other health benefits. This pasta salad is also only 414 calories per serving.

16. Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad With Teriyaki Dressing

An Asian inspired pasta salad that is only 377 calories per serving. The cashew nuts in this salad are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

17. Penne With Brussels Sprouts And Bok Choy

Brussels sprouts are a great source of nutrients and vitamins, including vitamin C and potassium. This healthy pasta salad is only 127 calories per serving.

18. Beefy Pasta Salad

This filling pasta salad is a great way to use up some leftover beef. Plus, it is only 322 calories per serving.

19. Pasta Salad With Walnuts And Peppers

This colorful salad is only 268 calories per serving. Walnuts are also a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

20. Ginger Shrimp And Vermicelli Salad

An Asian inspired pasta salad that is a slight alternative to the traditional pastas usually found in pasta salads. It is only 356 calories per serving.

21. Caribbean Couscous Salad

At only 156 calories per serving, this colorful couscous salad is perfect for a summer day. The mango in the salad is full of vitamin C and fiber, while the black beans are rich in potassium and other nutrients.

With the versatility of pasta salads and how quick and easy they are to make, why don’t you use some of these recipe ideas to invent your own? You will be the go-to person at summer picnics!

Featured photo credit: Jamie Oliver via jamieoliver.com

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Recent Paintings from Bo Bartlett“Bo Bartlett is an... crss





















Recent Paintings from Bo Bartlett

Bo Bartlett is an American realist with a modernist vision. His paintings are well within the tradition of American realism as defined by artists such as Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth. Like these artists, Bartlett looks at America’s heart—its land and its people—and describes the beauty he finds in everyday life. His paintings celebrate the underlying epic nature of the commonplace and the personal significance of the extraordinary.
"Bartlett was educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where realist principles must be grasped before modernist ventures are encouraged. He pushes the boundaries of the realist tradition with his multilayered imagery. Life, death, passage, memory, and confrontation coexist easily in his world. Family and friends are the cast of characters that appear in his dreamlike narrative works. Although the scenes are set around his childhood home in Georgia, his island summer home in Maine, his home in Pennsylvania or the surroundings of his studio and residence in Washington state, they represent a deeper, mythical concept of the archetypal, universal home.” – Tom Butler, excerpt from the book Bo Bartlett, Heartland.


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Posted by Andrew

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Recent Paintings from Bo Bartlett“Bo Bartlett is an...





















Recent Paintings from Bo Bartlett

Bo Bartlett is an American realist with a modernist vision. His paintings are well within the tradition of American realism as defined by artists such as Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth. Like these artists, Bartlett looks at America’s heart—its land and its people—and describes the beauty he finds in everyday life. His paintings celebrate the underlying epic nature of the commonplace and the personal significance of the extraordinary.
"Bartlett was educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where realist principles must be grasped before modernist ventures are encouraged. He pushes the boundaries of the realist tradition with his multilayered imagery. Life, death, passage, memory, and confrontation coexist easily in his world. Family and friends are the cast of characters that appear in his dreamlike narrative works. Although the scenes are set around his childhood home in Georgia, his island summer home in Maine, his home in Pennsylvania or the surroundings of his studio and residence in Washington state, they represent a deeper, mythical concept of the archetypal, universal home.” – Tom Butler, excerpt from the book Bo Bartlett, Heartland.


More unique art on Cross Connect Magazine:

Twitter || Facebook|| Instagram

Posted by Andrew