You’ve found your dream company. Even better? They’re currently hiring for a position that’s perfect for you. You’ve already tackled all of the application basics: You did your research, tailored your resume, wrote an impressive cover letter, and even sent the department head a friendly LinkedIn request. Almost there.
There’s one more way you can stand out and elevate yourself above the competition. We have three words for you: letter of recommendation.
Is it common for employers to ask for letters of recommendation?
Honestly, it’s rare that you’ll be explicitly asked to hand one of these over. It’s much more likely that you’ll be asked for references. There are exceptions, says Tara Padua, a Muse Career Coach, like “junior roles where someone lacks experience or senior roles where character is as important as skill set.”
Should you have these letters in your back pocket anyway?
You might be thinking: If these letters aren’t an expectation, why would I go through the trouble of getting them? Well, just because an employer won’t demand them doesn’t mean you can’t use them to separate yourself from the job search competition.
“If you have a letter, hiring managers could get more of a sense of your skills if they aren’t able to connect live with your former supervisors for whatever reason and only get the basics from HR,” explains Kelly Poulson, another Muse Career Coach.
Beyond giving you the opportunity to emphasize what makes you a no-brainer for that role, these letters can also serve as an awesome confidence boost. “It certainly doesn’t hurt on days when you’re doubting yourself to have something to refer to that reminds you of how valued you truly are,” Poulson says.
Check out these amazing open jobs on The Muse and land more interviews »
How to ask for a letter of recommendation
You might be convinced of the power of a solid letter of recommendation—but that doesn’t necessarily mean asking is any easier. Fortunately, there are ways to make this request a little less nerve-wracking.
1. Choose who you're going to ask wisely
First things first, think carefully about who you’re asking. Poulson warns that you don’t want to request too much of any one person—meaning you might want to stay away from your references when thinking about who to ask for a letter. “Be mindful of your asks and pick folks to write letters who likely won’t be doing calls as well,” she adds.
While a letter of recommendation from someone who’s high up the ladder can be impressive, make sure that you’re asking people who actually know you and your work. “Having a senior person write a generic letter of recommendation without any real knowledge of you and your skills will produce the opposite effect,” Padua says. And even if it doesn’t hurt, it won’t help.
2. Make sure you have a good connection
Asking for a letter of recommendation is essentially asking for a favor, so it's best to request it from someone you had a good connection with. This could be a former employer who supported or mentored you, or if you're an intern or entry-level candidate, a professor whose class you excelled in.
In terms of actually making the ask, Poulson shares that a little bit of flattery can go a long way. “Start out with how much you’ve enjoyed working with them and how much you value their opinion,” she says. It's also advisable to ask more than one person for a recommendation, just in case your first choice refuses or faces an unexpected situation that prevents them from following through.
3. Try to make your request in person first
Before sending an email, it's considered polite to ask for a letter of recommendation in person first—especially if it's someone you see regularly, like a teacher or professor.
Here's how to ask for a letter of recommendation in person:
- Invite them for lunch or coffee
- Explain what you're applying for
- Explain why you're asking them for this letter
- Provide any additional information they ask for
- Inform them that you'll send an email with more details
Granted, some people change cities after finishing school or reallocate for a better job opportunity, so it's possible that your best contacts do not live near you. If that's your case, you can skip this step and ask straight through email.
4. Send an email with all the necessary information
Make the process of writing the letter as painless as possible by empowering them with the information they need. “Make it easy for the person to recommend you,” Padua says. “Tell them specifically what you would like to highlight.”
That might mean looking back at your work ethic or impact on the team in a previous position, or emphasizing a specific skill set that matches the type of roles you’re targeting in your search. Whatever it is, make sure you’re clear about what you’re looking for.
5. Give them enough time to write the letter
Be clear about your timeline. Remember, you’re asking this person for a favor, so you need to be realistic with your expectations. It’s smart to give contacts at least a week (but ideally more) to get the letter drafted and returned to you.
6. Send a follow-up email close to the deadline
If it gets close to the deadline to send the letter—let's say three or four days before the final day—you should send a follow-up email with a gentle reminder. Take this opportunity to also ask if they need any more information to craft the letter and provide additional details about yourself that might be helpful.
How to ask for a letter of recommendation via email: Examples
An email asking for a letter of recommendation should include three key elements:
- why you're reaching out
- why you're choosing this particular person to recommend you
- the information they need to write the letter—if they've already agreed in person
If your initial contact is through email, first ask if they're comfortable recommending you, and upon receiving a positive response, follow up with the necessary information in a second email.
Take a look at these two examples:
Example #1: How to ask a professor for a letter of recommendation
Dear Professor Peterson,
I hope you’re having a great day!
I’m reaching out because I’m applying for an entry-level copywriter position with Qwerty Company and am gathering a few letters of recommendation to support my application.
As you know, I've always enjoyed your literature classes over the past two years and have admired your work. You've also complimented my writing skills before. With that in mind, I thought you’d be a great person to write me a letter of recommendation and vouch for my abilities, accomplishments, and behavior at school.
I know how busy you are, so if it would help, I’m happy to provide some additional background information about me and my school projects to make writing this letter a little easier.
Would you be comfortable writing a letter of this nature for me? Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Anna Harvey
Example #2: How to ask an employer for a letter of recommendation
Hello Catherine,
I hope you’re well.
I’m contacting you because I’m applying for a software engineering position with a tech company and am gathering a few letters of recommendation to enhance my application.
I had an amazing experience working with you at The Tech—particularly when we collaborated on developing the company's new app. With that in mind, I thought you’d be the perfect person to vouch for my expertise in software architecture and my ability to lead complex projects.
Would you be comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for me? I understand you have a busy schedule, so I’m happy to provide some additional talking points and information to make writing the letter easier.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this, Catherine. Let’s catch up over coffee soon—my treat!
Best regards,
Anna
How to ask for a letter of recommendation: Template
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re having a great week!
I’m reaching out because I’m applying for [type of role] with [type of company] and am pulling together a few letters of recommendation to emphasize why I’m a qualified fit for this kind of position.
I really enjoyed our time working together at [Company]—particularly when we were able to collaborate on [project]. With that in mind, I thought you’d be a great person to vouch for my expertise in [key skill area] and my ability to [impressive result].
I know you’re busy. So, if it’d help, I’m happy to pass along some additional talking points and information to make writing this letter a little easier.
Would you be comfortable writing a letter of this nature for me? Please let me know if you have any questions about this, [Name]. Let’s catch up over coffee soon—my treat!
All the best,
[Your Name]
Don't hesitate, ask
No, letters of recommendation aren’t a job search staple the way your resume or your cover letter is. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them to your advantage.
If the only thing holding you back is the fact that asking for these letters can feel more than a little awkward (believe me, I get it), take a deep breath, use these tips and this template, and just send that email.
You’ll be armed with an impressive letter or two in your back pocket that you can use to prove to employers that you’re the candidate they’ve been searching for.