I already have my three required recommendation letters, but I’d like to include additional short supporting letters within some of my 10 evidence documents.
I’m considering this in two situations:
I worked for tech giant companies / some work is confidential, so I cannot share strong measurable impact. I’m considering using a short statement from a manager or senior colleague to confirm my contribution and impact.
Some well-established tech expert who is NOT one of my three formal recommenders has related to my evidence documents. I’d like to include their statement to help validate the significance of that evidence.
So what format would be more appropriate for this type of supporting statement?
A screenshot of an email appreciating my achievement and impact, showing that I am the recipient?
A short formal PDF letter, similar in format to a reference letter, stating that it is provided in support of my Global Talent application?
LinkedIn " Recommendations", which is public on the profile?
A short formal letter is perfectly suitable, especially when it helps validate internal or confidential evidence or gives more context to what’s already presented. Just keep in mind that letters alone don’t carry enough weight, they should reference the evidence that already rightly align to the guidance, not replace it.
I usually suggest a one page formal letter, ideally added as the third page of the evidence set it’s referencing. That way, it feels integrated and purposeful rather than standalone.
Yes, you can include short supporting statements within your evidence documents, especially where your contribution or impact cannot be fully demonstrated through public evidence due to confidentiality.
A short formal signed and dated letter/PDF is usually the clearest option. It should clearly state who the author is, their role and credibility, how they know your work, your specific contribution, and the impact or significance of that contribution. It does not need to be as extensive as one of the three mandatory recommendation letters, but it should be specific and supported by other evidence where possible.
For confidential work, a statement from a manager or senior colleague can be useful to verify your personal contribution and impact. For independent validation, a recognised expert can provide a short statement explaining the significance of the work or achievement.
Email screenshots and LinkedIn recommendations can be used as supplementary evidence, but I would not rely on them as the primary validation where a formal letter can be obtained.
The supporting letter should ideally be on official letterhead, signed and dated, and include the author’s name, position, organisation and contact details. A CV is not normally necessary for every supporting statement, but the author’s credentials should be clear enough to establish why their opinion carries weight.
The key point is that these letters should support and validate the evidence, not simply replace the actual evidence itself.