{"id":18632,"date":"2020-03-30T09:20:03","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T14:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resumespice.com\/?p=18632"},"modified":"2021-08-20T09:25:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T14:25:52","slug":"how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resumespice.com\/how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re interviewing for a job, you probably know you can expect to be asked for a list of references. It\u2019s a standard practice for almost any job application. But just because it\u2019s a repetitive part of the process doesn\u2019t mean you have to keep submitting the same old boilerplate list of references. If you\u2019re looking to take it a step further and elevate yourself above the competition, a professional letter of recommendation<\/strong> is what you need. <\/p>\r\n

While it\u2019s uncommon that an employer will explicitly request a letter of recommendation (most just ask for references), don't overlook the value. A letter of recommendation can provide a hiring manager with a better sense of your skills than the quick run-down of your dates of employment they\u2019d otherwise hear from HR.<\/p>\r\n

Use the tips below to make the process as smooth as possible and to ensure you\u2019re doing your part to get the most out of any recommendation letter.<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n

Before You Ask: What to Consider<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

There are a few prerequisites you need to cover before asking for a letter of recommendation. The following points are essential to any chance of receiving a quality recommendation letter:<\/p>\r\n

1: You actually know who you\u2019re asking<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

It might seem obvious that you should know the person you\u2019re asking to write you a letter of recommendation, but it's a common mistake to think you can ask anyone as long as they were your professor, boss, or supervisor. Such is not the case: the purpose of the letter is to provide valuable insight into who you are and the value you can bring to an organization. The professor you had all year but never spoke to or the boss you never saw much of in the workplace aren\u2019t the right people for the job.<\/p>\r\n

2: You have a positive history and relationship with the person whom you\u2019re asking<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Maybe the supervisor or professor you\u2019re thinking of asking knows you quite well, but it\u2019s because you constantly asked for deadline extensions or had a habit of being late. You want to make sure that you have good standing with whoever you choose to ask \u2013 avoid asking someone who may have a reason not to give you their full stamp of approval.<\/p>\r\n

3: The person you ask is relevant to the position you\u2019re applying to<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re applying for a management role, select someone who observed your management skills firsthand. Whomever you ask should be able to speak to your skills in a way that\u2019s relevant to the job you\u2019re seeking.<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n

How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Once these basics have been covered, it\u2019s time to learn how to successfully ask for the letter of recommendation. Below are some tips:<\/p>\r\n

Know the Purpose of the Letter<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

You want to make the letter writing process as easy as possible for the person you\u2019re asking, and this starts with letting them know the letter\u2019s purpose. This helps them determine what parts of your experience they should focus on, as well as what can be left out. If you don\u2019t go into detail about what the letter is for and what parts of your history are the most relevant, you might end up with a vague letter that doesn\u2019t serve its purpose: to help you stand out!<\/p>\r\n

Who is the Letter For?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Don\u2019t forget to tell the person writing your letter who will be reading it. Besides helping with practical details such as who they should address the letter to, this information guides the style and tone they use. Knowing their audience informs how they describe their experiences with you, as well as the specific details they use.<\/p>\r\n

Include Your Resume<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

You want to give the person writing your letter of recommendation as much information as you can to help them write a quality letter. One way to do this is by highlighting the skills and experiences on your resume that are most relevant to the job you\u2019re applying. This gives them specific information to work with and ensures they aren\u2019t left grasping when they sit down to write the letter.<\/p>\r\n

Don\u2019t Wait to Ask<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

If you planned on asking someone for a letter of recommendation for the job application that\u2019s due in a week, don\u2019t. Besides being unprofessional, it lowers the chances that you\u2019ll end up with a high-quality letter. Even if they did bend over to get you a letter on short notice, it\u2019s quality may be sacrificed. You wouldn\u2019t want your job application tied to a hastily written reference letter. Asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation is a big favor \u2013 it\u2019s your responsibility to make it as easy as possible for them.<\/p>\r\n

Asking for a letter of recommendation can feel intimidating. But by taking the time to follow the steps above, you can feel confident knowing you\u2019ve covered the most important bases when you reach out and make that request!<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n

Need help writing a professional resume that get results?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Turn to the professionals at ResumeSpice. We are the #1 rated resume writing and career coaching<\/a> service on the independent review site TrustPilot. Read hundreds of our 5 star reviews here.<\/a> If you\u2019re ready to learn more, call 832.930.7378 <\/strong>or contact us<\/a> online.<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re interviewing for a job, you probably know you can expect to be asked for a list of references. It\u2019s a standard practice for almost any job application. But just because it\u2019s a repetitive part of the process doesn\u2019t mean you have to keep submitting the same old boilerplate list of references. If you\u2019re…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[578,572,573,574,575,571,576,577],"class_list":["post-18632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-job-search-tips","tag-how-should-i-ask-for-a-reference","tag-how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation","tag-job-recommendation","tag-job-referral","tag-job-referral-letter","tag-letter-of-recommendation","tag-letter-of-reference","tag-whom-should-i-ask-for-a-reference"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t