How to Request a Letter of Recommendation

Asking a former employer for a letter of recommendation may seem frightening or embarrassing to you. Don't let that be the case, requests for reference letters occur on a regular basis and are actually expected. Over the course of your working life you will need to ask people to write letters on your behalf and others will ask you to write letters for them. This is par for the course and your requests should be both fulfilled and even welcomed.

The individuals you ask for a letter of recommendation will feel like it is a responsibility as well as an honour to give you a good letter of recommendation.

Even if you are departing from your current position on not the greatest of terms, you may still be able to get a letter written on your behalf. It is likely that some of what you did in the position was of merit, but that job just was not the right one for you. Your employer should realize that and assist you to move on. Being aware of when and who to ask to write a letter for you is important.

Make sure that the person who you ask to write a recommendation knows you and your work well. It is always best to ask your boss or direct supervisor. Asking someone who isn't qualified can lead to embarrassment on both sides. When you choose who to ask, make sure that they will give you a positive recommendation.

If the person you ask for a recommendation knows you well then it should be an easy question for both sides. A strong positive letter is much better than one that is lukewarm or bad.

Who Should You Ask to Write on Your Behalf?

The best possible reference letter should come from someone who knows you well as a person. They should have previous experience of writing letters of recommendation. If you have been asked to submit multiple letters then try to get people from different parts of your life to write on your behalf: a work related letter, an academic letter, a letter from a volunteer post and a character letter should cover everything.

What Needs to be in a Good Letter of Recommendation?

A strong letter of reference will contain information that is relevant to the job you are applying for. It will make sure that the reader knows all of your strengths. You should supply a list of relevant points to the person who is writing the letter for you. It is also important that you tell them where the recommendation is going.

The person who reads your letter of recommendation will be looking for written substantiation of your skills, time keeping, leadership abilities, and amiability with fellow staff and superiors.

Sometimes, the person who you have asked to write on your behalf will ask you to draft the letter for them to sign. If at all possible it is better for the person who signs it to have written it. It is not uncommon for Personnel departments to question the author of a letter about the information in their letter both to gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses as well as to verify that the letter is real.

Timing is Everything

A week before you leave a position is the correct time to ask your supervisor for a letter of recommendation. As time goes by it grows more difficult to find people to ask to write on your behalf. The same rule goes for obtaining letters of reference from professors when you finish university or even high school. Make sure that you ask the appropriate academic for a letter a few weeks before graduation.

It is a good idea to keep a file, either on your computer or hard copy of reference letters. Over the course of your career you will be able to put together a collection of references. In most cases you will be asked to have the letter sent to them directly but having a set of copies is a good idea. You can always supply perspective employers with copies of general letters of recommendation that are addressed To Whom it May Concern.

The Information that is Needed for a Good Letter

Be sure to give the person writing your letter of recommendation a thorough list of your accomplishments they may be familiar with. The list will give them a strong starting point when writing on your behalf. You should also make sure that they have a current copy of your resume. Finally make sure that you give them an addressed, stamped envelope to send the letter in.

Following Up

Be sure that you thank that person who wrote your recommendation both verbally and with a handwritten note. This will help to keep them as a strong business contact, as well as being polite.