what to say in an email asking for a letter of recommendation

How to Enquire for a Letter of Recommendation (Template + Tips)

Written by Coursera • Updated on Mar 12, 2022

Learn how to get effective recommendation messages to heighten your admission or task application with these tips and a template.

When you employ for admission to a university, a job, or a scholarship, you may be asked to include letters of recommendation. These letters, typically written by teachers, counselors, or managers, are meant to vouch for your qualifications and graphic symbol.

A strong recommendation allows the person reviewing your application to get to know you beyond your resume, giving a more complete picture of who you are and what motivates you.

Looking for a letter of recommendation request template? Find one hither.

What are letters of recommendation for?

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

Job applications more normally crave a list of references, rather than a reference alphabetic character, but you may see this requirement testify up from time to fourth dimension. Even if a task application doesn't require a recommendation letter, attaching i to your comprehend letter or application could give you lot a competitive edge over other applicants.

Watch this to learn more nearly what a letter of recommendation is, and what makes a alphabetic character effective.

Schools want to hear from you, so they crave an essay. Only they besides want to hear from what other people have to say well-nigh you lot, so they crave letters of recommendation.

How to request a letter of the alphabet of recommendation

It's totally normal to experience nervous about asking for a letter of recommendation. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, it's a normal function of the application process. With a scrap of preparation, y'all tin maximize your chances of getting stellar recommendations.

i. Cull who you lot desire to write your letters.

The nearly effective recommendation will come from someone who knows yous well and tin speak to your character on a personal level. Make a list of several people who yous could ask. You'll probably only need 3, just information technology's always a proficient thought to have backups in instance something falls through.

If you're applying to college, consider request a teacher and your high schoolhouse guidance advisor. Cull teachers of classes where you performed well (and who yous had good rapport with). Teachers yous had during your junior or senior year will have the freshest memories of you (and are likely more accepted to writing such letters).

Many college applications crave at least one letter of the alphabet from your guidance counselor. If you don't know this person well, don't be afraid to make an appointment then they can learn more than virtually yous.

If you lot're working on a grad school application, your letters volition likely come from one or more than of your professors. Ideally, ask professors who are in the same field every bit the program you're applying to. If you're a working professional person currently applying to go back to schoolhouse, your options include bosses and mentors, colleagues, or former professors with whom you lot had a good relationship.

When you're applying for a job, your former managers or supervisors often make the best letter writers. The closer the former job aligns with the function you're applying for, the better.  If y'all decide to ask a electric current or sometime coworker, try to choose someone with more years of professional experience than you. They'll be able to endorse you with greater authority.

2. Ready a resume or brag sail.

1 of the best ways to get a stiff recommendation is to make it easy for the person doing the writing to highlight your accomplishments and personal strengths. One piece of cake way to do this is past providing a copy of your academic transcripts and resume to the person writing your letter.

If you're still in schoolhouse and don't nonetheless have a resume, you can make what'south called a brag sheet instead. This is a concise list that highlights your qualifications and best characteristics. Make sure to include:

• The courses you took with this teacher or professor and the grade you received

• One or two of your top attributes with examples of how you lot've demonstrated them in class or at work

• Your overall GPA, test scores, and summit academic accomplishments

• Extracurricular activities or volunteer work you've done

• Work experience

• A short blurb about your goals for the program or position you're applying for

While it might feel a picayune bad-mannered to brag about yourself, think that this is the fourth dimension to show off your hard work and gloat your wins.

iii. Ask in person outset.

Before you send a formal, written asking for a letter of recommendation, speak with each individual in person. Preparing what you'll say ahead of fourth dimension can assist you experience more calm and confident. Explicate what it is you lot're applying for and why y'all're asking this person to recommend y'all.

Y'all're request for a favor, but the people who know you well probably want you to succeed and will gladly do what they can to assist. Teachers and professors in particular are used to writing these letters—information technology's sometimes even a part of their job description.

4. Transport a formal letter of the alphabet of recommendation request.

Later on you lot've confirmed your request in person, email a formal written request to each individual who has agreed to write your recommendation. Feel complimentary to use the template beneath to guide your writing. When you ship your asking, also include:

• Information on the position or role you're applying for

• Details almost how and when the alphabetic character should be submitted

• An updated resume or brag sheet

• A pre-addressed, stamped envelope (for messages that demand to be sent by mail)

• A sample alphabetic character (if requested)

5. Follow up before the due date.

Follow up with a polite reminder a week or two earlier your letters are due. This is a skilful opportunity to give thanks them for writing the letter and offer to send whatsoever additional information they may need.

vi. Say a terminal thank you.

Information technology's common courtesy to transport a short cheers note to each individual who wrote a letter of the alphabet on your behalf. Express your appreciation for their back up with a mailed handwritten annotation or email. And exist certain to update your recommenders with the good news when you're accustomed to the role.

Tips for getting the best letters of recommendation

Ask early to give ample fourth dimension.

Teachers and kinesthesia members sometimes get inundated with requests to write recommendation letters around the time when college awarding deadlines ringlet effectually. Asking well in advance will allow them to spend some time and attending on your letter. For professional recommenders, try to ask 3 weeks in accelerate.

Tip: Applying for college? Ask your teachers for a recommendation at the terminate of your junior twelvemonth and yous'll be well alee of schedule.

If y'all sense hesitation, ask someone else.

There are many reasons someone may not feel comfy writing a letter of recommendation for you lot. And it may not accept anything to do with you or your qualifications. This person might non feel like they know you well plenty or cannot speak to the skills and qualifications of the office you lot're applying for.

You lot desire messages of recommendation that vouch for you without hesitation. If someone hesitates or turns down your asking, yous're amend off asking someone else who can write you a strong recommendation.

When you leave a task, enquire for a letter of recommendation.

This is especially if you had a positive working human relationship with your manager. Get a letter now while the memories of the bear on y'all've made are yet fresh in your manager'due south mind. You'll take it ready to submit to potential employers.

Letter of recommendation asking template

Use this template to become you started on your letter of recommendation request. You lot tin download the template here.

Dear Ms./Mr. [Recommender Name],

I hope you're well. I'k in the process of applying to [school or company name] and desire to ask if you feel comfortable writing a strong alphabetic character of recommendation on my behalf.

I thoroughly enjoyed my fourth dimension equally [your relationship to the recommender]. As my [teacher/counselor/manager], I believe you could honestly and effectively vouch for my [list of skills or qualifications] I've demonstrated during our time together.

I capeesh you lot considering my request. The deadline for submitting the alphabetic character is [engagement]. I've attached an updated version of my [resume/brag canvass], as well as the [job posting/admission requirements] and details on how to submit the alphabetic character. If you need any boosted data, don't hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your time and support.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your telephone number]

[Your e-mail accost]

Next steps

Applying for new jobs? Take reward of Coursera'southward task search resources to enhance your resume and build your interview skills, and position yourself for a new career.

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Written by Coursera • Updated on Mar 12, 2022

This content has been fabricated bachelor for informational purposes merely. Learners are advised to bear additional inquiry to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional person, and fiscal goals.

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Source: https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation-template-tips

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