How to Request a Letter of Recommendation

Chances are that if you have not yet had to acquire letters of recommendation, your time is coming. While many part-time jobs simply require a name and a phone number, most scholarship, college, and full-time employment applications require actual letters. These testimonies are heavily weighted when it comes to being selected for awards or offered admission or positions. Therefore, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

Whom to Ask:

You certainly want to ask individuals who know you well and who will cast you in a favorable light. Sometimes applications even specify who your references should be, so be sure to read the requirements carefully. While it may be tempting to request a letter from your godmother, your uncle, or your next-door neighbor, it is generally expected that your letters come from outside of your personal life: consider asking a teacher, a coach, a choir director, a youth pastor, a counselor, etc. Ideally, people who write you letters of recommendation have known you for a while and have known you in different capacities (i.e. a teacher who also directed you in the school play). Consider asking someone who knows the setbacks you have endured, the perseverance you have shown, the accomplishments you have achieved — rather than the teacher who gave you the highest grade or the coach that selected you for the best team. Letters of recommendation should highlight aspects of your personality and character that cannot otherwise be found on your resume or in your application.

When to Ask:

As soon as you know you need a letter of recommendation, ask. If you know you will be applying for school or for scholarships in the coming months, you can ask references to write a generic letter (rather than one for a particular university or award). If you prefer something more specific, it is generally best practice to ask for letters of recommendation a month before they are due. Adults are busy, and they need ample notice in order to budget their time accordingly.

How to Ask:

First, while we are certainly living in a digital age and rely heavily on technology as a communication tool, it is strongly recommended that you ask for reference letters in person. It is much more professional — and makes a far better impression — than asking through a computer screen.

When you approach your recommender about writing you a letter, provide them with information about the school(s), award(s), or position(s) for which you are applying; they can then use those details to tailor their letter. It is also important to clarify when the letter is due. If they are required to mail the letter in separately, provide them a pre-addressed, pre-stamped letter in order to minimize their workload even a little bit.

Additionally, give them a copy of your resume and your long-term educational and career goals. Your teacher may know you very well in regard to your work ethic in her class, but she may be unaware of your extensive volunteerism, your work history, and your involvement in community organizations; with that additional information, she can write you a stronger, more detailed letter.

As the due date approaches, kindly follow up with your recommender to ensure that your letter was sent. At this time, it is also a nice gesture to express your gratitude with a thank-you note — and even a small token of appreciation, such as a gift card for a cup of coffee.

If it is an option, waive your right to see the letter of recommendation prior to it being submitted. This shows all parties involved — the writer of the letter as well as the recipient — that you trust the reference wholeheartedly, which gives the application committee much more confidence in your character and abilities.

With these guidelines in mind, asking for letters of recommendation — and receiving favorable responses — is one less stressor in this hectic application season.