How to Ask for a Reference / Letter of Recommendation

WHAT?

Letter of Recommendation: a letter that someone else writes about your abilities and potential.

Reference: a person who is willing to be listed on your application to a job/program to vouch for your professionalism, performance, and abilities.

WHO?

When thinking about who to approach, remember to consider WHAT that person might write about you, versus WHO is writing it. Ask someone who can give you an authentic, positive, recommendation, and if so, ask them if they would be willing and able to do so.

This person should be someone who has enough experience with your performance and professionalism to be viewed as a credible source of information about you.

HOW?

Respectfully request, based on your relationship with the individual, the reference’s permission to be listed as a reference on your application or the letter-writer’s willingness to write a letter of recommendation.

Include in your request:

a. Information about the purpose of your application;

b. Any details about what the application requires of the reference/letter-writer (include a copy of the position description if you are applying for a specific opportunity);

c. Reminders of how you and your reference/letter-writer have interacted (generally); and

d. Any additional information about you and your activities that could help the individual understand your fit for the position. 

e. Enough lead time for the individual to consider your request and/or write the letter (for letter-writers). 

Research how the organization/school to which you are applying will handle and process your references/letter of recommendation for this specific opportunity. Sometimes, organizations/schools provide applicants, or letter-writers, with a prompt or other instructions. Following the expected procedures increases your chances of success.

SOME SCENARIOS

1. You may be asked to provide contact information for your reference indicating that the organization/school will directly contact your references

2. You may be asked to enter contact information into an automated portal which will trigger a direct letter request to your reference.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

• Be sure to thank your Reference/Letter-Writer. Send a brief followup email thanking them, regardless of the outcome of your application. 
• Feel free to provide the individual with indicators about what you would like them to emphasize with regard to your potential in the role/program. For example, if you have two recommenders, you could invite one to highlight your collaborative nature while asking the other to  emphasize industry-specific expertise and skills.

SAMPLE REQUEST

Dear [Professor/Dr./Mr./Ms.] ____,

I hope this finds you well. You might remember me from last year when I was a student in your ___ course. I wrote a paper on _____.  I am writing with a request. I am applying to law school. Would you be willing to write me a letter of reference? I plan to submit my application by the deadline of____, so I would need the letter submitted by______. The process for you is straightforward; if you agree to be a reference, I would provide your email address to the application portal, and you would then be notified by the school, and provided with a link, to upload the letter. I will be waiving my right to read the letter.

I greatly appreciate your consideration of my request. Should you wish to discuss this further, please let me know. I would be happy to clarify any further details.