Sara: Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Photo Courtesy of Christina Locricchio

A letter of recommendation: the term for a weighty, wordy document that can praise you and make you feel self-conscious at the exact same time.

Letters of recommendation can either make you or break you when it comes to landing your dream job. You may be asked to provide one to three letters that are meant to shed light on your strengths and inspire confidence in your future employer that you are the ideal candidate for the position.

As an aspiring professional, there are several strategies you can apply to take this requirement and turn it into a dealmaker. Who to request letters from, the format the letters are submitted in and, most importantly, the content within the letters are all essential elements.

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Michelle Berg, Internship Coordinator at the Georgia College & State University Career Center, has highlighted a few key points that every co-ed can apply to their job application process.

College Lifestyles ?: What are the key elements you look for in a positive letter of recommendation? What qualities do you believe are the most noteworthy in a candidate?

Michelle Berg: I look intently at the type of language the recommender uses to describe the candidate; you can tell how much the recommender enforces the candidate simply by the wording and tone of the letter.? In addition, specific examples speak volumes. A strong letter of recommendation will speak to the candidate?s work ethic, communication skills ? are you an easy person to work with? ? ?and other skills that fit the position.

CL: There are several key figures who may play a large role in a student?s work experience or education. Who would you suggest are good contacts that CL readers could request a letter of recommendation from?

MB: Context and variety are important when selecting people to recommend you. Letters from faculty, club advisors and supervisors are great to provide the reader with different viewpoints of your skills and competencies. The key is selecting people who serve as your mentors and role models ? people who know you more than just surface level.? It all boils down to 1) the writer?s understanding of your skills and 2) the skills, knowledge and abilities you ultimately want to demonstrate to the reader.

CL: There are multiple means of communication. What do you view as the most appropriate format to present the letters of recommendation to a perspective employer?

MB: When you apply for a job online, several companies may give you the option to upload additional documents. This is a great way to present a letter of recommendation. You may email a letter of recommendation to compliment your r?sum? and provide additional background information. Whatever means you use to present your letter of recommendation make it seamless. LinkedIn recommendations are a fantastic addition to traditional letters of recommendation for your job search and networking because it?s a seamless way for you to build credibility to the skills and abilities stated in your profile.

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CL: What is an appropriate amount of time to allow your professor, manager, etc. to complete your letter?

MB: I suggest allowing at least six weeks for a letter of recommendation.? That way, you can remind the writer two weeks before you need it, which still gives the person time to compose the letter. As a courtesy, provide your reference with a r?sum? and a description of the scholarship, job, internship or graduate program at the time you ask her or him to write the letter.

When you are applying for your next dream job, and the application requests that you submit letters of recommendation to compliment your r?sum?, request the letters from a variety of role models in a timely manner, and submit them in the requested format in addition to your application.

If you are an intelligent co-ed ? and I know you are! ? rest confidently that you have submitted the best possible letters of recommendation with these helpful guidelines.

Anyone can bulk up a r?sum?, but to be spoken highly of from respected professionals in the field is what allows you to stand out in a heap of applicants.