How To Ask For A Letter Of Recommendation

When you are applying for a new position, it’s common for recruiters or hiring managers to request a letter of recommendation or a reference letter. Depending on the recruiting process for your potential employer, this step can come before, during, or even after you have your first interview. Employers who ask for a letter of recommendation are looking to get a candid testament to your work, skills, and abilities from people who have worked with you in your past.

Even if not deliberately asked for by your potential employer, letters of recommendation can help you stand out as a potential candidate from the competition and really build your credibility as the candidate they’ve been looking for. Below, we discuss best practices of how to ask a previous employer or colleague for a letter of recommendation that will benefit you in your job search.

Choosing the Right People to Write Your Letter of Recommendation

This is the first step in ensuring your reference letter will convey exactly what you need to impress your potential employer. You may have worked with a wide variety of colleagues over your past jobs, so it’s a good idea to consider making a list of reference individuals.

First, consider the colleagues, managers, or employers that you know best. Choose people you worked closely with, who you believe can adequately speak to your skills and expertise. A letter that is too vague could hurt your chances of getting the job.

Next, consider the qualifications and the skills your potential employer or hiring manager is looking for. Depending on the work you accomplished in any given area of your career, you can pick and choose which reference might work best for the type of job you are applying for.

Although it might be tempting to choose good friends or even family members for this exercise, it’s best practice to avoid this. Employers may see their opinions or recommendations as heavily biased and overlook your letter of recommendation submission.

Make It Easy for Your References to Write You a Letter of Recommendation

As soon as you know you’ll need a letter of recommendation, do your homework of making your list of references and try to reach out as soon as possible. It’s generally best practice to give your references at least two weeks’ notice before the letter of recommendation is due. This will give your reference plenty of time to gather their thoughts, ask you questions, and write a great recommendation letter.

Additionally, to make it easier on the person you’re asking, make sure you compile all of the necessary components they need before they start working on your letter. Empowering your previous colleagues with the specific highlights you’re looking for, along with the potential job description, will help the writer tailor their prose in a way that benefits you. This will also make them more likely to approach this project as an easy task rather than a daunting ordeal. Providing context can come from an up-to-date resume, your current role, what job the recommendation is for, why you believe you are qualified, and specific projects you believe translate to relevant work skills. Don’t forget to include a due date in your request.

Asking for a Recommendation Request from Former Colleagues

It’s not always an easy thing reaching out to an old colleague after so much time apart. The request for a recommendation is a benefit for you but could mean sacrificing time for someone doing you this favor. With that said, using flattery and bringing up team accomplishments can go a long way. Give your old colleague genuine compliments that reference your time spent together and how much you value their opinion. Be careful not to go overboard here, in this case, less is sometimes more.

Phrase your request politely and acknowledge the commitments your colleague has. Don’t pressure them into providing you a letter of recommendation if it’s something they can’t take on right now. Remember, they’re not obligated to give you a reference letter. Any indication of unrealistic expectations could lead to a half-hearted or bad letter of recommendation. Be sure you give your reference a way to decline if they feel uncomfortable or have other commitments to attend to.

Follow Up With Your References Before and After

If your deadline is approaching and you don’t yet have the letter of recommendation in hand, it’s appropriate to reach out to your reference for a reminder. Feel free to reiterate the deadline you must meet as well as asking if there are any additional questions or clarifications you can make to help make their job easier.

Equally, if not more important, is to remember to send your reference a thank you letter once you receive your recommendation back. Sending appreciation is not just a courtesy, but a way to ensure you maintain the professionalism between you and your previous colleague. You never know when you might need a reference again!

Example #1 – Letters of Recommendation

Example #2 – Letters of Recommendation

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.