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.
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.”
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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:
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