As you continue through your professional journey, you will encounter situations in which you will need to ask for a letter of recommendation. Whether you are applying for graduate school, jobs, internships, or even a security clearance, a well-written letter can set you apart from other candidates. This resource is designed to walk you through the process of requesting a letter of recommendation like a pro(fessional).
How to Request a Letter of Recommendation
Building Relationships
As you engage in various classes, activities, and jobs, think strongly about who you think could potentially write to your character or ability, and ensure you prove yourself worthy of a positive letter. For an academic letter, this could look like maintaining high grades, participating during class, and attending office hours. For a job or activity-related reference, ensuring that you are a team player, respectful, and always working to improve will be critical.
Identify your timeline
It is important to figure out the deadline for your request and ask well in advance. For many of your instructors, they will be asked to write many letters each semester so it is imperative to give them enough time to write. At minimum, consider requesting a letter at least a month prior; however, asking at the beginning of the semester prior to the deadline may be most beneficial.
Asking the question
Try to ask in person, if you can, during an appropriate time. This should be when the individual is not in a hurry or in the middle of another task such as teaching class. If you have to make this request via email, make sure to include the purpose of the reference, any background information such as the program or position you are applying for, and to establish why are you asking them.
Example email
SUBJECT: Letter of Recommendation Request - Due December 1
Dear Professor Campbell,
I trust your semester is going well. I am reaching out to request a letter of recommendation for the Fall 2024 cohort of the Data Science Master's program at Indiana University Bloomington. Through pursuing this degree, I am hoping to hone my skills and be able to qualify for data systems administrator roles. Having taken your Data Visualization course, I believe you can attest to my hard skills and academic ability. The letter is due by December 1 at 5 pm, and you would receive a link via email to submit it.
Thank you for your consideration.
All the best,
Sally Student
Providing Resources
If the individual decides to accept your request, it is important to give them all of the tools they need to make it as easy on them as possible. Remember, they are doing you a favor. If you are applying for graduate school, include your resume, transcript, portfolio, if you have one, statement of purpose, and a link to the program you are applying to’s website. If you are applying for an internship or job, make sure to provide your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and position description. Additionally, you should include the deadline as well as a message of gratitude for their time spent writing you a recommendation.
Thanking and updating your recommender
Once your letter has been submitted, make sure to send a final thank you and update of the outcome to the recommender. This is especially important in ensuring you are continuing to maintain and strengthen your relationship.