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How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation (Template + Tips)

Written past Coursera • Updated on Jan 24, 2022

Learn how to get effective recommendation messages to enhance your admission or task application with these tips and a template.

When you apply for admission to a university, a chore, or a scholarship, you may be asked to include messages of recommendation. These letters, typically written past teachers, counselors, or managers, are meant to vouch for your qualifications and character.

A stiff recommendation allows the person reviewing your application to get to know you beyond your resume, giving a more complete picture of who yous are and what motivates you.

Looking for a letter of recommendation request template? Detect one here.

What are messages of recommendation for?

Letters of recommendation frequently announced as a requirement on higher applications. Y'all'll ordinarily demand one to three of these reference letters when you're applying for an undergraduate program or, sometimes, graduate school.

Task applications more than commonly require a list of references, rather than a reference letter, but you lot may see this requirement evidence up from time to time. Fifty-fifty if a job application doesn't require a recommendation alphabetic character, attaching one to your cover letter or application could give you a competitive border over other applicants.

Watch this to learn more nigh what a letter of recommendation is, and what makes a letter constructive.

Schools want to hear from you, so they require an essay. But they likewise want to hear from what other people take to say virtually you, so they require letters of recommendation.

How to request a alphabetic character of recommendation

It'south totally normal to feel nervous about asking for a letter of the alphabet of recommendation. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, it's a normal role of the application process. With a bit of grooming, you can maximize your chances of getting stellar recommendations.

1. Choose who you want to write your letters.

The nigh effective recommendation will come from someone who knows y'all well and tin speak to your character on a personal level. Make a list of several people who yous could ask. You lot'll probably only need three, but it'due south always a good idea to have backups in case something falls through.

If you're applying to college, consider asking a instructor and your high school guidance counselor. Cull teachers of classes where you performed well (and who yous had skilful rapport with). Teachers you had during your junior or senior year volition have the freshest memories of you lot (and are likely more accustomed to writing such letters).

Many higher applications require at to the lowest degree one letter from your guidance counselor. If you don't know this person well, don't be afraid to make an date so they can learn more about you lot.

If you're working on a grad school application, your messages will likely come from i or more of your professors. Ideally, ask professors who are in the same field equally the programme you lot're applying to. If you're a working professional currently applying to become back to school, your options include bosses and mentors, colleagues, or one-time professors with whom yous had a skilful relationship.

When you're applying for a job, your one-time managers or supervisors often make the all-time letter writers. The closer the former chore aligns with the function yous're applying for, the better.  If you make up one's mind to ask a current or former coworker, try to cull someone with more years of professional experience than you. They'll be able to endorse y'all with greater authority.

2. Set up a resume or brag sheet.

1 of the best ways to go a strong recommendation is to make it like shooting fish in a barrel for the person doing the writing to highlight your accomplishments and personal strengths. One easy way to do this is by providing a copy of your bookish transcripts and resume to the person writing your alphabetic character.

If yous're still in school and don't notwithstanding have a resume, y'all can make what's chosen a brag sail instead. This is a concise list that highlights your qualifications and best characteristics. Make sure to include:

• The courses you took with this teacher or professor and the grade yous received

• One or two of your elevation attributes with examples of how y'all've demonstrated them in form or at piece of work

• Your overall GPA, examination scores, and top academic accomplishments

• Extracurricular activities or volunteer work y'all've washed

• Work experience

• A curt blurb about your goals for the plan or position yous're applying for

While it might feel a little awkward to brag virtually yourself, call up that this is the fourth dimension to prove off your hard work and celebrate your wins.

3. Ask in person get-go.

Before y'all send a formal, written asking for a letter of recommendation, speak with each individual in person. Preparing what yous'll say alee of time can assist you feel more than calm and confident. Explain what it is y'all're applying for and why you're asking this person to recommend yous.

Y'all're asking for a favor, just the people who know you well probably desire you to succeed and volition gladly do what they tin to help. Teachers and professors in particular are used to writing these letters—it's sometimes fifty-fifty a part of their job description.

4. Transport a formal letter of recommendation asking.

After you've confirmed your request in person, email a formal written request to each individual who has agreed to write your recommendation. Feel free to use the template below to guide your writing. When you send your request, also include:

• Information on the position or role you're applying for

• Details about how and when the alphabetic character should be submitted

• An updated resume or brag sheet

• A pre-addressed, stamped envelope (for letters that need to be sent past mail service)

• A sample letter (if requested)

5. Follow up earlier the due date.

Follow upwardly with a polite reminder a week or two before your messages are due. This is a good opportunity to thank them for writing the letter and offer to ship any boosted information they may demand.

6. Say a terminal thanks.

It's common courtesy to send a short cheers annotation to each individual who wrote a letter on your behalf. Express your appreciation for their support with a mailed handwritten notation or email. And exist certain to update your recommenders with the good news when you're accepted to the role.

Tips for getting the best letters of recommendation

Inquire early to give ample time.

Teachers and faculty members sometimes go inundated with requests to write recommendation letters around the time when college application deadlines coil effectually. Asking well in advance will allow them to spend some time and attention on your letter. For professional recommenders, endeavour to ask iii weeks in advance.

Tip: Applying for college? Ask your teachers for a recommendation at the finish of your junior year and y'all'll be well ahead of schedule.

If you sense hesitation, ask someone else.

At that place are many reasons someone may not experience comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for you. And it may not have annihilation to do with you or your qualifications. This person might not experience similar they know y'all well enough or cannot speak to the skills and qualifications of the role you're applying for.

You want letters of recommendation that vouch for you without hesitation. If someone hesitates or turns down your asking, yous're meliorate off request someone else who can write you a strong recommendation.

When you lot get out a chore, ask for a letter of recommendation.

This is especially if you had a positive working relationship with your managing director. Go a letter of the alphabet now while the memories of the impact you've fabricated are nonetheless fresh in your manager's listen. You'll accept it set up to submit to potential employers.

Letter of recommendation request template

Use this template to get you lot started on your letter of recommendation asking. You can download the template here.

Dear Ms./Mr. [Recommender Proper noun],

I promise y'all're well. I'one thousand in the procedure of applying to [schoolhouse or visitor name] and want to ask if you lot feel comfy writing a strong letter of recommendation on my behalf.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time as [your relationship to the recommender]. Equally my [instructor/counselor/manager], I believe yous could honestly and effectively vouch for my [list of skills or qualifications] I've demonstrated during our time together.

I appreciate you lot because my request. The deadline for submitting the letter is [date]. I've attached an updated version of my [resume/brag sheet], likewise as the [job posting/admission requirements] and details on how to submit the letter. If you need whatsoever boosted information, don't hesitate to contact me.

Give thanks you for your time and back up.

Sincerely,

[Your Proper name]

[Your phone number]

[Your email accost]

Next steps

Applying for new jobs? Take reward of Coursera's task search resource to enhance your resume and build your interview skills, and position yourself for a new career.

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Written by Coursera • Updated on Jan 24, 2022

This content has been made available for advisory purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional person, and financial goals.

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Source: https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation-template-tips

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