Whether you’re applying for a new job or furthering your education, at some point in time you’re going to need someone (usually someone other than a family member) to vouch for your good character, work ethic or professional experience. The personal assurance that others have in our abilities is usually conveyed to prospective employers or institutions in the form of a recommendation (reference) letter. As with anything in the professional realm, there is a protocol, even when requesting a letter of recommendation. Below are a few tips that I’ve used over the years to get great recommendation letters. 1. Give the writer ample time to write the letter. Frantically running into your professor or employer’s office the day before you need a letter of recommendation isn’t going to cut it, at least most of the time. I typically ask my recommendation writers a month in advance if possible. However, asking 3 weeks before you need the letter is a good rule of thumb. 2. Ask the right questions. Don’t call up your previous employer or old professor and ask “Could you write me a recommendation letter?” My 10 year old little sister can write a letter. What you do want to ask is “Do you feel that you know me and my work well enough to write me a quality recommendation letter?” You don’t just want a letter, you want a quality letter that’ll persuade the reader to believe in you and your aptitudes. 3. Inform them. As you prepare your request for a recommendation letter, be sure to let your potential letter writer know: What-What exactly are you applying for? or What is the letter for? When- When do you need the letter by? Where- Where do they need to send the letter? ( If the letter needs to be mailed, provide your writer with the necessary postage or a pre-stamped envelope) Why- Why is this important to you? (The opportunity, not the letter.) 4. Ask the right person. I’ve had several students who live in the residence hall that I manage ask me to write letters of recommendation for them, and although I know them, most times I have to turn them away because I don’t know anything about their work ethic or qualifications. It’d be a disservice to the student if I were to write a letter based off of generalities. Ask someone who knows you and your performance well. I’ve asked supervisors, professors, academic advisors and pastors in the past. 5. Make it easier for your writer, give him/her a cheat sheet. Once you’ve secured your recommendation writer, don’t leave them hangin’, provide them with resources that’ll enable them to write the best recommendation possible. Always send your writer your updated resume and a word document with key points you’d like for them to address in the letter. 6. Follow-up with a thank you note. Always, always, always send a follow up thank you card after your reference has completed your letter. It’s common courtesy right? 7. Update your reference. This tip is for you overachievers out there, and I’m one of them. It’s always nice to let your recommendation writer know how things turned out. Did you get the job, internship, acceptance etc…? If so, let them know. I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear about your accomplishment, after all, they did help. And if you didn’t get the position still let your reference know, you never know when you’ll need another letter writer.
