Today’s job market is competitive, so if you’re looking for ways to stand out, you’ll want to listen up. Some people are lucky enough to get hired off of word of mouth or their resume alone, but more often than not, candidates who wind up securing their dream jobs (and salary) are those who put in work on their applications. Having a concise, well-designed CV is a great start, but now, many positions ask job hunters to include a cover letter too. A lot of time and effort can go into perfecting these things, but if it puts you on track toward the career of your dreams, every minute is well spent. If you’re wondering how to go the extra mile, read our guide on how to ask for a letter of recommendation below.
It’s worth noting that employers rarely ask for something like this outright; instead, applicants include contact information for their references on their resumes. The Muse Career Coach Tara Padua says that exceptions occur in “junior roles where someone lacks experience or senior roles where character is as important as skill set,” for example. A letter of recommendation will most often come from a former employer or mentor you worked closely with or a professor whose class you exceled in; anyone you think can speak poignantly and honestly about your professional accomplishments will work.
What Can A Letter Of Recommendation Do For Your Career?
Since it’s not mandatory, or even expected in most cases, submitting that letter of recommendation to your potential future employee can be what helps set your application apart from the rest. “If you have a letter, hiring managers could get more of a sense of your skills if they aren’t able to connect live with your former supervisors for whatever reason and only get the basics from HR,” The Muse Career Coach Kelly Poulson notes.
On a more personal level, reading what your colleagues and bosses have to say about your work can provide a much-needed confidence boost, especially if you’re dealing with jitters while interviewing for a position at your dream company. “It certainly doesn’t hurt on days when you’re doubting yourself to have something to refer to that reminds you of how valued you truly are,” Poulson reminds hopeful applicants.
How To Ask For A Letter Of Recommendation
So, how exactly does one go about eloquently asking for a letter of recommendation? There are several steps you can take that will empower you through the process, during which you’ll want to be respectful of people’s time and energy. This advice might be enough to get you started, but if not, you’ll find a template at the end of the article for you to send off to mentors and business partners.
Decide Who The Most Appropriate People To Ask Are
Just because you’re adding a letter of recommendation to your professional portfolio doesn’t mean you should forego putting references on your resume. You don’t want to ask too much of anyone, so if someone is already a reference, consider asking others in your social sphere to co-sign your work.
Though it can be tempting to ask the most accomplished and impressive person in your network to pen your letter, remember that the weight of their name will mean nothing if they can’t speak profoundly about working with you. “Having a senior person write a generic letter of recommendation without any real knowledge of you and your skills will produce the opposite effect,” Padua notes. It’s a best practice to ask more than one person for a letter of recommendation, just in case unforeseen circumstances prevent your first choice from delivering.
Whenever Possible, Make Your Initial Ask In Person (And Sweeten The Deal)
The digital age allows us to network and connect with people all over the globe, meaning it’s not always possible for you and your mentor/professor to meet up IRL and talk. If you are fortunate enough to be nearby, we suggest inviting your contact out for lunch or coffee so you can ask them face-to-face if they’d be willing to do you a favor. Tell them how you value their feedback and contributions to your growth, and that you would love for their letter of recommendation to accompany your resume. If you’re stuck meeting in the online space, you can still send an e-gift card to the person you’re asking, encouraging them to grab some caffeine before sitting down with you over Zoom or on the phone.
If they agree to help you, make sure to ask your contact if there’s any information they need from you to make completing this task easy. Before parting ways, promise to send them a follow-up email reviewing everything you discussed and any details they’ve asked for.
Be Specific About What You’re Looking For
“Make it easy for the person to recommend you by telling them specifically what you would like to highlight,” Padua recommends. You don’t want to take the words out of their mouth, however, if you know the position you’re applying for is seeking someone detail-oriented, make a point to remind the person recommending you of times you displayed that skill in front of them.
Including a timeline in your e-mail ensures that everyone involved is respectful of time. Be realistic with your expectations – especially if your contact has a busy schedule – but The Muse suggests that one week should be the minimum agreed-upon turnaround time.
Still Feeling Unsure? Use This Recommendation Letter Request Template To Get Started
Overall, the breakdown you send should explain the following, as show below:
- Why you’re reaching out
- What makes the recipient qualified to recommend you
- Any other information required to write your letter of recommendation
Hello [Name],
I hope your day is going great!
I’m applying for [position] at [company], it’s an opportunity I’m incredibly excited about and I wanted to ask if you could help enhance my application with a letter of recommendation.
While working together at [company], we collaborated on [project] and I always remember your kind words about my contributions to our success. What that in mind, I thought you would be the perfect person to speak about my [skill] and how I might use it at [company].
I want to be respectful of your schedule, so if you’re unable to help right now I understand. If you are available, I’d be happy to meet for coffee (my treat) at [location] to chat further, or forward additional talking points and information via e-mail that will make the writing process a breeze.
Would you be comfortable penning my letter of recommendation? Please let me know at your convenience, [Name]. I hope to hear from you soon!
Take care,
[Your Name]
