Letter of recommendation mostly runs in educational institutions. Professors seem to take such letters very seriously. The reason being it endorses the quality of the student, integrity of the professor and of course the university. Recommendation letters are important because if any student goes otherwise against the vested interest of the institute, the entire university’s reputation hangs in jeopardy.
Such letters are sensitive. You will require waiving your rights to glance through the letter. But many a times what happens is you don’t get the chance to review the letter after it has been written. Therefore, if you feel the person you approach to is reluctant about writing, politely take back the proposal and approach someone else. A poor or lukewarm letter of recommendation can potentially damage your chances of being accepted.
Tips to Requesting Letter of Recommendation
Below are a few etiquette to guide you on how to proceed with your Letter of Recommendation:
Approach a faculty member who knows you well. It will help you avoid generic recommendation and help you get a more specific one. The better a professor know you the more specific your letter will be.
Explain the purpose of the recommendation and make a formal request asking if he/she would be willing to write the letter. Do not be in a hurry. Let your professor take time to consider your request.
Approach for the letter at least a few weeks in advance of the deadline. Professors do not sit idle; they have a tight schedule and will have to take out some amount of time to make your letter thoughtful and distinctive.
Things to Provide for the Recommendation Letter
Here are the few things you need to consider and provide while requesting for a Letter of Recommendation:
A gist of the position or program you intend to apply along with the deadline of the same.
Provide information about any specific instructions or questions asked for in the recommendation letter.
Write about any pertinent information you wish to lay emphasis in the letter. For example, if you are good with your oral skills, ask your professor to provide a positive sense of your aptitude.
Ask him to mention about your interest in the program/position you are applying to.
Attach your resume for better understanding of your skills and qualification.
Provide a valid phone-number and email address as the writer might want to get back to your sometime.
If you are a graduate applicant, your letter of reference should be addressed to the program(s) you are applying to. Do not put a return address on the envelope as most professors prefer to send recommendations directly to the program. However, many programs today allow entering recommendations online. All you need is to provide the URL or email address.
Do not be selfish. Send a thank-you note and update the professor if the job was offered to you or you got accepted into the graduate program. Stay in touch; you never know when you will need them again.
Remember, a recommendation letter from a professor who focuses on your skills, abilities and motivation is more influential than a letter that only brags about your high grade.
Mrs. Alice Walker
14, Caucasian Ave, N.W.
Washington D.C. – 45213
To:
Mr. Andrew Norton
Apt. 15, Pink Residency
Maple St, Washington D.C. – 42145
March 14, 2012
Dear Mr. Norton.
I am writing in with immense pleasure to recommend Mr. Keith Garcia to you as a prospective tenant.
Keith was living here as my tenant for the last four years. He is great person and it was a nice experience renting my property to him. He is a reliable tenant.
I would like to tell you that I received payment regularly and in time. He always kept the property in order and didn’t damage anything. I never received any complaints about him by other residents in the society.
When he left this place, the house was in a clean and tidy condition. I really never have come across such a great tenant.
So, I happily recommend him as a prospective tenant.
Vincent Lee
Member, Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
To:
Mr. Floyd Young
Alpha Nu Recruitment Officer
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
March 14, 2012
Dear Mr. Young,
This is in reference to the recommendation of student Alicia Ray for admission in the Morgan State University chapter of Alpha.
I am a member of the University chapter and, I refer her as a new member in the group as I know her for the past three years.
Alicia is a sincere, dedicated and smart girl who has been involved in all kinds of activities in her school. She also volunteers for the community service.
She was the captain of soccer team in her school and, she also headed the student welfare association for two years. She won many awards during her school years.
She had many friends and has a pleasing personality. Alicia is perfectly suitable for Alpha Nu membership.
I recommend her to be part of this great family as I am sure she will add value to our group.
I am recommending Mrs. Judy Hicks for the business management program at your prestigious institute.
I know Judy for the past four years. She works here on the position of ‘Executive Secretary’ under me at ‘Milton Corp’.
I would say that Judy is a right candidate for your program. She progressed very fast in our company. Judy joined our association four years back as an entry-level employee and with time, she acquired knowledge about each & everything happening in the office and she reached where she is today.
She is a quick learner and understands things in an easy manner. She is very dedicated towards her work and completes all the assignments I gave her in time.
Judy is a team player and very friendly. She is inspiring to other employees in our company.
I think that Judy Hicks has all the qualities required for a successful business manager. But, she needs a degree and doing it from a reputed institute like your will enhance her resume.
I highly recommend Judy for your program. So, I request you to please consider her application for admission as a part time student in your college.
Joel Ferias
Department of English,
Maxwell University
Chicago – 41526
To:
Mr. Enrique Henry
Director
Dr. Jefferson Scholarships
Chicago – 41523
April 17, 2012
Dear Mr. Henry,
I am writing in reference to your annual scholarships which is awarded to the meritorious students of the city of Chicago.
I would like to recommend my student, Kent Crawford for your annual scholarship program. I know him for the last three years, he is an outstanding performer.
Kent is a sincere student who is very dedicated to his studies. He always excelled in academics and always ranks higher in the class. He has won many awards for academics and extra-curricular activities in our institution.
He is always interested in helping & improving his friends and, uplifting them to the standards he has. He is a source of inspiration to others.
And, I am really impressed that despite the financial difficulties his family is facing, he has managed to reach this level. He is presently doing a part time job as a tutor.
He has so many qualities that give me confidence to recommend him for your scholarship program and, I know it well that he will make it worthwhile and it will add a new star to the flag of your institution.
So, please accept my recommendation to award the scholarship to this bright student, Kent Crawford and help him succeed in life.
This letter is in reference to the job application of Ms. Cynthia Russell in your organization.
She worked with me at ‘Capital Corp’ for four years.
I am highly satisfied with her performance as an ‘Office Assistant’. She was a dedicated and sincere employee of this company. She would always complete her assignments in time.
She has a very positive attitude and helping nature. She was very co-operative to all the staff here. She would take initiative for a lot of things. She was a real multi-tasking person and would handle and complete different tasks at one time.
I would say that she was a true asset to this company and really contributed to our success for these years.
She was excellent at both levels, professional and personal. She will definitely add value to any company she goes to.
So, I am pleased to recommend Ms. Cynthia Russell in your company.
Salutation – If a letter is personal, it is required to include a salutation – Dear Mr./Ms/Mrs.)
If letter is not addressed to a particular person, it is fine to write – “To Whom it May Concern” or you can leave it blank
Paragraph 1 – The first paragraph states the writer’s connection with the concerned person for a recommendation letter. State your relation with the person and how you know them well in what capacity.
Paragraph 2 – The second paragraph has the specific information related to the concerned person. It should state why the person is qualified for recommendation, their attributes and why you trust them and writing the letter
Paragraph 3 – If the letter is for specific purpose, for instance, a job opening, then it is good to write about the person’s skills & qualities that suit the job position.
Summary – This section is for brief conclusion of why are you are recommending the person.
Closing – End the letter with ‘Sincerely,’ followed by your name and designation.
Prof. Julio Coleman (LL.M.)
Stephens Law College
52, Benson St.
Riverside, C.A.- 45215
To:
Mr. Lance Kelly
True Justice Legal Services
24, Margaret Encl,
Riverside, C.A.- 42141
June 04, 2012
Dear Mr. Kelly,
I am writing in reference to your online advertisement regarding the position of ‘Probationary Attorney’ in your organization. I want to recommend one of my students for this open position.
Lester Brooks, a student of my class is interested in this position. He has completed his law degree in ‘Civil Law’ this year.
He is one of my best students and he passed with great marks. He has maintained an excellent track in his school and college. I am very much sure that Lester is an ideal candidate for this position. He has all the qualities that are required to fill this position. I am sure that he will benefit your organization through his dedicated services.
He is a person who thinks in a diverse way and very good at multitasking. Lester is also good at letter drafting.
So, I recommend him for this position, of course, he will have to pass all your tests and interviews. I am confident about his abilities and skills that you will find him suitable for the position of ‘Probationary Attorney’.
Thanks for considering his application.
Regards,
Prof. Julio Coleman (LL.M.)
Stephens Law College
Mr. Drake Books
Manager
McCord Sales
Tucson, AR – 52412
To:
Dr. Brian Stewart
The Principal
O’Hara University,
Tucson, AR – 42254
March 14, 2012
Dear Mr. Stewart,
I am writing in to refer ‘Paul Weinstein’, an employee of our college to your post graduate program.
Paul is an intelligent person. He works as a supervisor in our company. He is very ambitious and has high goals for his future. He is a quick learner and highly creative person. He has impressed me at many occasions and has proved his worth in this organization. I am really satisfied with his performance and confident that he will succeed in his future.
He has good knowledge about many subjects and he is always trying to expand his knowledge and improve his skills.
He is very supportive and helps all his fellow workers. He is of good conduct.
Yours is a prestigious university and Paul wants to complete his post graduation from your institute to add value to his resume.
So, I request his admission in your university. I am sure that Paul Weinstein will benefit from your institute and will also give back to it in one or more aspects. Please consider his admission.
Thanking you.
As I discussed it with you last week, I am submitting my report for the promotion of Mr. Mr. Cecil Boyd in our company.
During his tenure as an ‘Accounts officer’ for five years with us, Cecil has always shown outstanding performance.
He has wide knowledge about corporate accounting and is trained with latest accounting methods. He is proficient in all the accounting procedures. He took initiative and came up with highly useful online accounting procedures that really benefited our company with huge cost savings.
Cecil has been rewarded as ‘Employee of the month’ many times last year. He is well qualified and is the most sought after employee in the department.
In my opinion, he deserves an appraisal at this time. He should be promoted to the position of ‘Accounts Manager’ as he is perfectly suitable for the position.
So, I request you to consider his promotion in light of his accomplishments in this company.
