HTML Preview Basic Job Recommendation Letter page number 1.
Reproduced from:
Greene, Susan & Martel, Melanie, “The Ultimate Job Hunters Guidebook.” 2
nd
ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
1998. 94-97.
Letters of Recommendation
Who Can Give You a Letter of Recommendation?
The strongest references come from previous employers who can vouch for your knowledge,
your integrity, and your enthusiasm towards work. Your best bet is to get a reference from an
immediate supervisor. manager, or co-worker. The higher the title, the better. But remember,
your recommendation writer must know who you are and what you did.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to have been a full-time employee to get a letter of
recommendation. Consider requesting letters from places where you were employed part time,
interned, volunteered, or freelanced. Ideally, you should begin gathering letters of
recommendation either just before you leave a position or soon afterwards, while the quality of
your work is still fresh in the mind of the potential letter writer. Request letters only from people
who think positively of you. If you believe that your manager is unlikely to give you a good letter,
consider asking your immediate supervisor or even a co-worker. Other potential letter writers may
include your teachers, leaders of organizations or clubs, or other people familiar with your work.
However, they should all be professional contacts. Personal references from friends, neighbors, or
relatives should be rarely used and only in cases in which the employer might need a character
reference such as a position in childcare or law enforcement.
How Do you Get a Letter of Recommendation?
The easiest way to get a letter of recommendation is to ask your supervisor or manager. Tell
that person about the type of position you plan to apply for so that the letter can be better
focused towards your objective.
Remember, although some people are quite adept at letter writing and will be more than
willing to write a reference, others may find the task challenging or be so busy they can’t do it
within your time frame. A tack you can take to help speed the process along and ensure content of
the letter is to follow these steps:
1.) Prepare a draft of your letter of recommendation.
2.) E-mail the draft of your recommendation letter. No matter how you choose to submit your
materials, be sure to include a cover letter that invites your reference to review your draft,
edit it as desired, and return the final draft on company letter head.
3.) After receiving your letter of recommendation, make copies of it. Don’t send the original to
a prospective employer; you may not get it back.
4.) Send a thank you note to the person who wrote your letter.
How Many Recommendations Are Enough?
Three to four references should sufficent, but even one or two can help to sway a prospective
employer. Rather than quantity, focus on quality. Be sure that the letters present you in the best
light and are consistent with how you describe yourself in your resume and interview.