Letters of Recommendation
Many jobs or graduate programs will require
you to obtain recommendations from people in a position to vouch for
your qualifications in the field. Often, the types of recommendations
that are requested for graduate programs include one academic,
one personal (outside of family), and one
employment. References for jobs should be employers or those who
can speak about your work ethic, character, and why you are a good
candidate for a position.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:
It is a good idea to acquire letters of
recommendation from people such as your advisor or a professor at your
college before you leave the school. Often, when you leave, it is
harder to track down professors/advisors who have busy schedules.
When asking for a letter of recommendation:
-
Send a written request for the
recommendation to each person being asked. Give them at least
two-four weeks to complete.
-
Provide each with:
-
A copy of your resume and any other
information you feel is relevant (job position, grad
school/program you are applying to, etc.)
- A
form or guidelines that outline exactly what is expected in the
recommendation
-
How many copies you are requesting (for future use)
-
The deadline by which the recommendation must be received
-
Correctly addressed, stamped enveloped
-
Send a THANK YOU NOTE爐o
each person who takes the time to do this for you.
REFERENCES
For references (listed separately from your
resume), ask permission first before listing previous employers and
their contact information. Contact information should
include: NAME, ORGANIZATION, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, & EMAIL.
-
You should list THREE
references (no more, no less) when applying to a job. Make
sure to include your contact information (similar to the top of your
resume) on your "References" page.
-
When applying for a position, email or send
the position description to your references to give them a
"heads-up" that爐he employer may be contacting them. By having the
job description, they can also speak for specifically as to why you
are a good candidate for that particular position.
-
Again, make sure to THANK
your references for offering to speak positively (hopefully!) on
your behalf!
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