Why do we need recommendation letters

First, consider which individuals in your network are most qualified to write you a letter of recommendation. Whom you choose may depend on the reason you need the recommendation. For example, if the letters are for potential job opportunities, managers or colleagues with experience observing and working with you may be able to provide the most valuable insights. If the recommendation letter is for academic purposes, you might seek out counselors or professors who can speak your academic abilities.

Avoid selecting family or close friends for this task. Employers are likely to see these recommendations as less accurate or heavily biased. Though you should later send a formal, written request for a recommendation, you should speak to each individual on your list beforehand.

Doing so ensures they are willing and have the availability to write your recommendation letter. Having a conversation with them will also provide you the opportunity to update them on your latest relevant achievements and accomplishments they can include in their recommendation.

The people who write your recommendation letters may also be good options to include on a reference list , if you are asked to provide one. After confirming with your selected writers, you should send each a personalized, formal recommendation request. In your request, you should include the following context for them to feel comfortable and prepared when writing your recommendation:. Most people who write recommendation letters will appreciate the guidance, as the letter recipients may be looking for specific information to be addressed in the letter.

Next, email or deliver a printed copy to each person who has agreed to write your recommendation letter. You may also want to reiterate when you need the letter returned, and instruction and contact information for where and how exactly to send the recommendation. You will likely be able to identify this information in the job posting or application, or directly from the employer if the request for a recommendation has come later in the hiring process.

Once your letters of recommendation have been completed, send thank-you notes to each individual who wrote a letter for you. Sending your appreciation is a common courtesy that lets your recommenders know you are thankful for their gesture, and will likely ensure their participation in your success in the future.

High school students and college students may find it helpful to get a recommendation from professors or teachers. When asking for a recommendation from a professor or teacher, you should consider those with whom you had the most interaction, succeeded in their class or were particularly involved in your education in some way. The objective of the recommendation letter is to give assurance for the accomplishments, skills and aptitude of the person being recommended.

A letter of recommendation is an assigned letter from a professor, previous manager or someone who can give assurance for your character, performance and skill. In a corporate world, a recommendation letter is often replaced with a reference call to your old manager.

However, in professional and academic settings, a letter of recommendation would likely to be required to be considered for a position. A recommendation letter states whatever the responsible person wants it to say. Our senior paralegal, Jefferson Adams, has asked me to write a letter of recommendation on his behalf, and I am more than happy to oblige. He really hit the ground running, using his paralegal training to assume and manage a heavy caseload inherited from his predecessor.

Within two weeks, he had brought a backlog of case files and chronologies up to date while at the same time ensuring that all court filing deadlines were met well ahead of schedule. Jefferson possesses a firm command of the processes required for the successful practice of personal injury law. A highly analytical thinker and excellent writer, he is adept in legal research and writing, all phases of trial preparation, and e-filing.

He instills confidence in our clients and skillfully negotiates court and meeting dates with opposing counsel. I highly recommend Jefferson Adams to your firm. While we will sorely miss his organizational talents, leadership skills, abundant energy, and cheerful and witty demeanor, we know that he will prove himself to be a splendid and productive addition to your legal team. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.

Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Since negative recommendations are so uncommon, colleges will generally expect that students will have positive recommendations.

A teacher who knows you and has worked academically with you can provide colleges with a whole range of details about your performance in school, far beyond what your grades reveal. Did you show deep and productive interest in a particular topic? Were you comfortable with constructive criticism of your work? Teachers can speak to these questions and many more. You can view your recommendations as providing a valuable outsider perspective on your achievements.

In their recommendations, teachers can provide context for the academic and extracurricular information that makes up the bulk of your application. More and more these days, personal character is also becoming an important factor in college admissions, and recommendations represents a great way for colleges to get a window into your personal character through the eyes of a trusted adult in your life. A teacher who knows you well can speak not only to your skills in the classroom, but also to the qualities that make you an interesting and unique human being— and a great addition to a college campus.

Remember, at the typical four-year college, campus life is about so much more than what goes on inside the classrooms. Recommendations, with their more personal focus, can be helpful in determining not only what kind of student you are, but what kind of person you are.

The lack of a good recommendation can seriously hurt your chances.