Deciding Who To Ask To Recommend You

It may seem tough to decide whom to approach about writing you a letter of recommendation. But when you think about the key elements of a good reference, it narrows down the playing field: You want someone vouching for you who is familiar with your work, holds you in high regard and, ideally, can include personal anecdotes in the recommendation letter. Not only that, they must be in a role that led them to be able to assess your skills and other attributes.

Since no one person knows everything about you, and many jobs or academic pursuits require two or three letters of recommendation, it's a good idea to choose several references that complement one another. For example, one could write about your academic strengths, another could focus on your on-the-job problem-solving skills and a third could testify to your character. The letters combined create a more complete picture of you as a person, scholar or employee.

One pitfall to avoid is assuming that the letters that pack the most punch come from people who hold lofty titles or top positions such as your company CEO. Sure, authority is important, but not if the tradeoff is a letter that clearly reveals that the writer does not have meaningful insight into you or your experience and goals. That being said, it's true that letters often have more impact when they are written by someone high on the food chain. So, if you have such a contact, don't hesitate to approach that person. In academic settings, professors have more clout than associate professors or lecturers, and professionally you'd be better off getting a letter from a manager or supervisor than a colleague.

Keep in mind that a recommendation letter will be most relevant if it comes from someone closely affiliated with the field you're pursuing. For example, if you're applying to an MBA program, approach one of your business professors, not your history teacher. If you want a job in sales, ask a leader in your company's sales department, not purchasing. Depending on the position, you might not stop at asking supervisors and co-workers to write you a reference letter; you could also ask for the perspective of a subordinate.

Try to ask for reference letters from people who you know are articulate and comfortable with the written word. It's also good (especially in the case of employment and academic letters) if the person has written letters of recommendation previously.

Make sure that the person you ask is comfortable writing a letter for you. For example, it would not be a great idea to ask someone with whom you'd had a professional or personal run-in, or a personality conflict, or, worse, fired you. If you're uncertain how the person would portray you in a recommendation letter, you could ask outright, but be sensitive about putting him or her in an awkward position.

How To Ask Someone For A Reference Letter

You may feel awkward asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation. Perhaps you're especially modest, or you hate to impose. Indeed, writing a reference letter is a favor of time and expertise. It takes at least an hour or two to write a good letter of recommendation. Particularly in the case of high school teachers and counselors, the letters will often be written on "their own time." However, recommendation letters are a part of academic and professional life, and requests are rarely a surprise.

Contact the person via phone or (if it seems appropriate) email. Explain why you need the letter, and what it will mean to you and your academic or professional career, or personal situation. You could make it easier by providing the writer with a copy of (for example) the scholarship application materials, fellowship announcement, job advertisement or adoption agency profile. Don't ever ask anyone to lie for you.

Try not to approach someone at the last minute to ask for a letter. This is especially true in the case of academic letters of recommendation, because deadlines are often known well in advance and because professors, teachers and others in academic leadership roles are asked to write many such letters each term. Giving the writer a month or two, or at least a couple of weeks, shows respect for the person's time and expertise. This may not be possible if, for example, you're applying for a job or coming up on a court date or other deadline.

Give the person a date by when you need the letter. Consider setting the "deadline" a few days or even weeks earlier than the real date, in case you need to ask for revisions (due to fact or spelling errors, for example) or in case the person forgets. It's not uncommon to have to remind someone that you need the letter. For this reason, it may be smart to get an "extra" reference-four letters if you need three-in case someone doesn't come through, or a letter doesn't send the message you had hoped. Don't forget to make sure the person has your phone number(s) and email address handy in case he or she needs to reach you about the letter.

If the person stumbles around and hesitates when asked if he or she can write a recommendation letter on your behalf, it could be due to reservations about endorsing you, or it could be something as simple as the person being very busy. If it's the latter, you can make it easier by providing the letter writer with background information such as: academic transcripts, job history (a resume), list of awards won, biographical information and so on. If the letter is for an award or scholarship, give the writer a copy of the description and guidelines or a link to a web site. High school students can include a note with their request mentioning what they perceive as their best personal and academic qualities, as well as accomplishments and extra-curricular activities and a statement of goals and ambitions. College students can refresh the writer's memory about projects worked on and essays written, as well as career aspirations and other relevant points. The more information the writer has about you, the better the letter can be.

While most experts agree it's preferable that the letter truly be written by the person who signs it, it's not uncommon for the person being recommended to give the writer some talking points, or even write the entire letter and get it approved and signed.

But if you perceive (or can confirm) that the person would not write a glowing recommendation, or would "damn you with faint praise," it's best to say thanks anyway and walk away from the situation. This is especially true in cases where the letter is sent directly to the decision makers without you first getting a chance to review it. This is often the case in high school settings, where many consider letters of recommendation "confidential documents" sealed or sent straight to a college without the student getting a chance to read it first. You might even have to sign a waiver allowing this. Some consider it inappropriate for students or parents to even ask to read the letter, so find out what is customary before approaching a teacher or counselor for a letter. If the letter is to be sealed and/or mailed directly, provide a pre-addressed envelope and stamp for the writer's use.

Some might feel asking someone to write a letter of recommendation is an imposition, or, at least, an inconvenience. But it's likely that at some time early in that person's career, someone took the time and effort to write him or her a reference letter. If someone truly thinks highly of you, he or she will be happy to "put it in writing."

It is very important, as professional courtesy and common courtesy, to thank the person for writing a letter on your behalf. It needs to be clear that you appreciate their efforts. Thank him or her very soon in a letter or card, not just verbally or via email. It's also nice to let your references know how it ended up-whether you got the scholarship, job, etc.

Letter of recommendation overview

Three types of recommendation letters Letters of recommendation differ based on who writes them and for what purpose. There are three basic types. Type of letter From Usual purpose Employment recommendation Employer Getting a job Academic recommendation Teacher, professor Getting into college or graduate school, receiving a scholarship or fellowship Character reference Friend, relative Getting a job, winning an award, child adoption, court hearing, etc. These distinctions are not carved in stone. Professors often write letters aimed at helping students secure employment. Employers often write letters to help current or former employees gain admission to academic programs.

Employment recommendations Whether you are laid off or leave your job on your own accord a letter of recommendation from your employer can be a valuable tool for finding a new job. Such a letter is often preferable to listing your supervisor and his or her phone number on your resume. A reference letter Provides an organized analysis of your attributes and abilities Is a "fresh when written" appraisal not clouded by time Creates an unchanging assessment Saves future employers the effort of interviewing your former supervisor Saves your former supervisor the time and trouble of being interviewed Importantly, obtaining a written letter also gives you insight into how your former employer perceives you-- on balance either favorably or unfavorably. With this information in hand you can spotlight a good reference or downplay a poor one.

Of course, if you must list a former employer as a reference and worry that he or she might contradict your glowing letter when called on the phone, we suggest finding out before you end up apologizing for an awkward disparity.

Academic recommendations Letters of recommendation are required for acceptance to the vast majority of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Often applicants must provide three or more letters. While requirements differ by institution, program and concentration, generally speaking successful academic recommendations should Provide testimony to your aptitude, curiosity and industriousness Demonstrate your maturity and seriousness of purpose Speak to your leadership ability Paint you as "well rounded" Compliment your character Include other pertinent information about you-- things not readily apparent from admission test scores or transcripts

Character references Character reference letters are a special category of recommendation because they are usually written by friends, neighbors or relatives. These letters meet a variety of non-employment and non-academic related needs. Everything from gaining memberships and winning awards to child custody and adoptions. Character reference letters can also be useful in job seeking.

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Scholarship

If you teach a large number of students, you may not have the time or opportunity to know each student individually, which can make writing personal letters of recommendation a daunting task. By focusing on a few key areas in each letter, you can write informative letters that will help your students increase their chances of winning college scholarships.

1. Step 1

   Explain how you know the student. "Emily Hargrove has been a student in my chemistry classes for the last two years," or "I have coached Dylan Milligan in basketball at both the junior varsity and varsity level."

2. Step 2

   Describe your background and qualifications. Explain why you are qualified to give a recommendation for this student. "I have taught chemistry at the high school level for 20 years and have taught more than 2,000 students."

3. Step 3

   Select a few positive qualities that the student possesses and write about them. "Emily received straight A's in chemistry for the past two years. She is an industrious and curious student with a strong aptitude for the sciences."

4. Step 4

   Include examples of times the student went beyond what was expected. "Dylan stayed after practice to help other players with their homework and organized the school's first basketball team study group."

5. Step 5

   Describe the student's rank in your class if the student did particularly well. "Emily was the only student in the class to receive a perfect score on every exam. She won the coveted Bruce Willis High School Chemistry Award and has been nominated for a state award."

6. Step 6

   Discuss other aspects of the student's school experience. Ask the office for a transcript or the student's records. Discuss how the student's other qualifications make him a good choice for the scholarship. "Despite Dylan's busy basketball schedule, he managed to maintain a 3.99 grade point average and had a lead role in the school play."

7. Step 7

   Finish the letter with a strong closing paragraph emphasizing the student's strengths. "Emily will be a wonderful addition to your student body. With her strong academic background and leadership abilities, she is well-prepared for the challenges of college life."

8. Step 8

   Proofread the letter and save it in your computer. The student will most likely be applying to more than one college and you will be able to use the same letter with a different address and salutation. Make a copy for the student's records

taken from http://www.ehow.com/how_4579108_write-recommendation-letter-scholarship.html

How to Write a Scholarship Recommendation Letter

When a student applies for a scholarship, recommendations from faculty often factor into the committee's decision of whether or not to award the scholarship. If you are asked to write a scholarship recommendation letter for a student, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Follow these tips for writing a scholarship recommendation letter.

1. Step 1

   Review the scholarship committee's requirements. These include how the letter should be structured, whether it should be sent to the committee or directly to the student and whether you need to answer any specific questions about the student.

2. Step 2

   Ask the student for an updated transcript and some samples of work he has done for your class. Although you may have some of this information on file, it's helpful to let the student choose which materials he provides. This will clue you in to what he thinks is his best work.

3. Step 3

   Address specific situations in which the student has excelled in your letter. While you may mention grades, try to point out how the student's intellect, passion for the subject and drive to learn have motivated her.

4. Step 4

   Use examples from the student's work to help illustrate why she deserves the scholarship. Many scholarship recommendation letters are too vague, and being detailed and showing the committee the student's own work will help your student gain an edge over other applicants.

5. Step 5

   Talk about the student's character. Many scholarship programs have a more personal component, so unlike job recommendation or other recommendation letters you may write, those needed for a scholarship should mention what kind of person the student is.

6. Step 6

   Include information about the student's potential in his chosen field of study. It's helpful to sit down with the student and determine his overall career goals, which you can talk about in the letter.

taken from http://www.ehow.com/how_2292682_write-scholarship-recommendation-letter.html

Sample Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Recommendation letters can generally be classified into three types: Academic Reference letter, Character reference letter and Employment Reference letter.

One of the pre-requisites for writing a Recommendation letter or a reference letter is that you should know the person well enough to recommend him or her.

At the outset of the letter, it is important to establish the writer’s credibility in order to make the letter more effective.

It is best to write such letters on a business or company letter-head and also to include designation (in case of Employment and Academic reference letters) of the writer. Scholarshiprecommendation letter is one such example.

While writing these letters, it is important to remember to clearly show for how long and how well the writer has known the individual in question and also in what capacity. For instance, an Employeerecommendation letter would be more effective when given by the immediate boss or supervisor.

The closing paragraphs should preferably reiterate the recommendation of the individual.

The body of the letter should include specific instances which throw more light on the personal traits of the individual, which would be beneficial. SampleCharacter Reference letter would be one such example.

The length can vary, but generally should be about a page, as the person reading the letter may not have too much time to go into minute details. It would also be a good idea to give a contact number or e-mail address for any further clarifications.

The letter should be personalized as it has a better chance of it being more effective. For example, a Student Recommendation letter can highlight the good qualities of the student which may not be reflected in the test scores or grade sheets.

here is the example

From:

Jean Fernandez,

Department of English,

University of Madras,

Madras.

To:

The Scholarship Selection Committee,

John Milton Scholarship Foundation,

London.

29^th September, ‘08.

I hereby wish to recommend (Mr. Richard Brown) for the (John Milton Scholarship Award). I have known (Mr. Richard Brown) for the past (4 years) that he has been a student in our Department.

(Mr. Richard Brown) has been a very sincere and diligent student whose hard-work is a constant source of inspiration for the other students. He has always excelled in his academics and stands among the top 2% in his class. He has won many prizes in both academic and extra-curricular activities.

His achievements stand out all the more because of the financial problems that he has to deal with on a day to day basis. He works part-time in the Department Library and also takes on part-time teaching jobs in the community to enable him pay his college fees.

However, the financial problems have never interfered with his enthusiasm and motivation to finish his Graduate and Post Graduate Studies. His sincerity and dedication have earned him many top honors in the University.

I sincerely recommend (Mr. Richard Brown) for the (John Milton Scholarship Award).

Sincerely,

Signature

(Jean Fernandez)

taken from http://www.sampleletters.in/sample-scholarship-recommendation-letter.html/

Scholarship Essay Writing Tips

Most scholarship applications require students to submit an essay. Typically, this
essay is autobiographical in nature. Scholarship committees that have a variety
of similar applicants look to the essay to differentiate students. Therefore, a
succinct, coherent, and interesting essay may be what distinguishes you over
another candidate. The following information is essential in writing a successful
scholarship essay.

Consider the Topic

• If the essay is asking you to address what motivated you to declare your
major, your future career goals, or information that will help reviewers
make a well-informed decision, DO NOT submit an essay you wrote for
your English class simply because it fits the word limit requirement.
• Think of the essay as a scholarship interview. The major difference is that
you do not have the opportunity to convince the committee to give you the
scholarship in person, you must convince them with your essay.

Prepare your Facts

• Think about each question the topic is asking and make an outline to fit
the topic.
• Make a list of your achievements/accomplishments (both academic and
other), community involvement, leadership positions or other roles you
have served in organizations, etc.
• Make a list of your personal characteristics including your strengths,
weaknesses, and any obstacles you have overcome or are currently
confronting.
• Determine 3-5 key pieces of information you feel the committee should
know about you and have concrete examples to support and demonstrate
your claim.

Writing the Essay

• Begin with a strong introduction. The committee will have a lot of
applications to review and not much time to read them. Be sure your
introduction draws in the reader and compels them to learn as much as
they can about you in the subsequent paragraphs.
• Be personal. Make sure the committee can assess what type of person
you are, what motivates you, how have you made your mark on the world
thus far, etc.
• Be specific. Cite concrete examples. DO NOT simply tell the committee
you are a leader; give an example of how you have been able to
demonstrate leadership.
• Turn negatives into positives. If you have an obvious weakness such as
limited extracurricular activities, show the committee that you have been
particularly involved with your family or within the classes you have taken
depending on your personal situation.
• Adhere to standard syntax, grammar, and writing rules. Make sure your
body paragraphs relate to your introduction and that your conclusion
summarizes the points you have made in your essay.

Review your Essay

• Proofread, proofread, and proofread! One spelling error can disqualify
your application.
• Have as many people as possible read your essay and edit it for clarity,
conciseness, grammar, and spelling.
• Did you answer the essay topic question?
• Does the essay convey who you are and your motivation for receiving a
scholarship beyond the fact that you need the money?
• Is the essay interesting? Does it come alive when you read it?
• Did you provide examples of your skills and abilities rather than broad
statements and claims?
• Does the essay meet the word limit requirement?