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When should I ask someone to write a letter of recommendation?
Timing is important. A good rule of thumb is to make your request as far in advance as possible.
When you ask for a letter of recommendation, keep in mind that attorneys, employers, professors and references
in general are quite busy and their time is limited.
When requesting a letter of recommendation, you
should:
1. Articulate your reasons for the recommendation.
2. Discuss the job you are applying for, why you are
interested in it, and how your specific qualifications
and experiences make you a good candidate.
3. Provide your resume so that the recommender can
review your experiences and comment specifically on
your qualifications.
4. Be prepared to provide a writing sample and/or
transcript, in case the recommender wants to review
your writing skills.
5. Let recommenders know whether they should send
their letters directly to your prospective employer or to
you to include as part of a complete application
package.
6. If there is no stated deadline, let the person know when
you plan to submit your completed application and ask
if he or she can submit the letter at about the same time.
7. Offer to provide stamped envelopes or email addresses
in which to send the letters as a courtesy to the
recommenders.
What if they say no?
Remember that letters of recommendation are written on a voluntary basis. A faculty member or employer
may decline to write one for you. If you sense reluctance or the answer is no, ask someone else. You want letters
only from people who enthusiastically support your application.
What can I do to make it easier for the recommender?
1. Provide some of the basic information. For example:
The name, title, email address, and address of where the letter needs to go, the deadline involved, the position
you are applying for, any criteria sought for the position, and all other relevant information.
2. Suggest what you would like them to say—within reason. For example:
“It would be helpful if you could discuss how well I did in your class.”
3. Provide a sample. Sometimes employers or professors ask to see sample recommendation letters to help
them draft their own, or alternatively, ask you to write the first draft due to time constraints.
While people are generally happy to
provide recommendation letters, they may
not remember all the specific details about
you that will enable them to write a strong
letter. This is yet another reason for an
initial face-to-face meeting which gives
you a chance to remind them.
If the recommenders prefer to keep their
letters confidential, but you have been
asked to submit your application as a
complete package, ask them to send the
letters to you in sealed envelopes to ensure