How To Ask for a Letter of Recommendation (With Examples)

When you’re applying for jobs, some employers may require you to submit a letter of recommendation. This can happen before, during or after an interview. When employers do request a letter, they’re interested in hearing from people who can attest to your work habits, skills and abilities. While it might seem intimidating or intrusive to ask for a letter of recommendation, you’ll find that many individuals are ready and willing to complete this task for you.

Make sure to read over the job or program application instructions carefully to determine if a letter of recommendation is required. In many circumstances, letters of recommendation may not be required. However, providing them anyways could set you apart from other applicants.

Letters of recommendation allow employers to hear from others what they valued about working or interacting with you and your accomplishments that stand out to them. When a letter of recommendation is not required, consider sending the letters as attachments to your application or in the follow-up

Dear Ms. Owekwe,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about the marketing coordinator role. It was great to meet with you and learn more about the position.

I’m very excited about the opportunity to join Horizon Marketing and am particularly interested in the details you shared about the upcoming launch of the brand campaign. I’m enthusiastic about the prospect of taking on some of the project management and bringing my experience in successfully coordinating cross-functional initiatives to the table.

I’m confident that my background in marketing and my interest in brand growth will enable me to fill the job requirements effectively and support the vision of Horizon. Please see attached for three letters of recommendation from past colleagues and managers that can offer you further insight into my strengths and accomplishments. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks again,
Jerry Mendelson
555-555-5555
[email protected]

What are letters of recommendation for?

Letters of recommendation frequently appear as a requirement on college applications. You’ll usually need one to three of these reference letters when you’re applying for an undergraduate program or, sometimes, graduate school.

Job applications more commonly require a list of references, rather than a reference letter, but you may see this requirement show up from time to time. Even if a job application doesn’t require a recommendation letter, attaching one to your cover letter or application could give you a competitive edge over other applicants.

Letter of recommendation request samples

I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation in support of my application for Head Manager at JHI Associates. The hiring manager has asked me to provide a letter of recommendation from someone who knows me on a professional level and can speak to my skills and achievements.

Since we have worked together for several years, I believe you can provide some insight into my qualifications as an ideal managerial candidate. I learned a lot from you while working at Collier Caller Services. With this in mind, I think you would be a great person to vouch for my interpersonal and decision-making skills.

Please let me know if you are comfortable endorsing my candidacy for a managerial role. Should you be willing, I can provide you with all the necessary information to help you write your recommendation.

I thoroughly enjoyed your Mathematics class last semester, and I learned so much. In fact, it confirmed my belief that pursuing a career in accounting is the right choice. I’m hoping that you feel you got to know me and my academic abilities during the semester because I’d like to ask you to write a recommendation letter.

I’m working toward a scholarship that’s awarded by ACME Accounting. I have enclosed my cover letter to the scholarship committee and a copy of my application. I’ve also included a summary sheet of my achievements in your class and those outside the classroom to refresh your memory.

Could you please let me know if you are comfortable endorsing me for this scholarship? If need be, I would be more than happy to answer any questions or provide additional information that would help you write your recommendation.

Source:

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/asking-for-a-letter-of-recommendation
https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation-template-tips
https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-ask-for-letter-of-recommendation