A good letter of recommendation is one that shows the reader that the recommender knows you personally, is familiar with your work, and lists specific reasons why you are a suitable candidate for the position or award for which you are applying. As the requester of a letter of recommendation, your job is to make the letter-writing process as effortless as possible. The following ten tips will help ensure you receive the best possible letter of recommendation:
- Be sure to select someone knows you well and is familiar with your work.
- Ask the potential recommender if they are willing, and have time, to complete a letter of recommendation for you. Understand that your potential recommender is busy, so be sure to approach the potential recommender as early as possible.
- Follow up with the initial conversation to provide the recommender with specific information about the requested letter, including who the letter should be addressed to, when the letter is due, and what qualities the selection committee or recipient is looking for.
- Provide the recommender with a copy of your resume.
- Let the recommender know, in a couple of sentences, why you are an ideal candidate for the position or award you are applying for. You need to be able to articulate this before you expect your recommender to.
- Include a list of items that you have worked on that the recommender has reviewed so the recommender can comment on specific tasks that you have completed.
- Consider providing the recommender a copy of your transcript, especially if the recommender is a professor or will be addressing your potential for academic success.
- If the letter needs to be mailed, provide the recommender with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. This ensures the letter will be mailed without delay. If the letter needs to be uploaded, faxed, or sent electronically, provide clear instructions to do so.
- If the letter is not made out to a specific individual or group, consider asking for more than one undated, original copy of the letter. This allows you to have an original letter of recommendation on file that you can use at a future date. Be sure to get the recommender’s permission before you use any additional copies of the letter.
- Finally, send a letter thanking your recommender for taking the time to write you the letter of recommendation. Let the recommender know if your application was successful so that they know their letter was beneficial to you.
Written by Benson Varghese. ♦ Contact Benson.♦ Have Res Ipsa Blog delivered to you.
