A strong letter of recommendation can be the deciding factor in getting into your desired school or landing your dream job.
When you apply 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 character.
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.
Letters of recommendation frequently appear as a requirement on college applications. You’ll usually need one to three of these reference letters when you’re applying for an undergraduate program or, sometimes, graduate school.
Job applications more commonly require a list of references, rather than a reference letter, but you may see this requirement show up from time to time. Even if a job application doesn’t require a recommendation letter, attaching one to your cover letter or application could give you a competitive edge over other applicants.
It’s totally normal to feel nervous about asking for a letter of recommendation. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, it’s a normal part of the application process. With a bit of preparation, you can maximize your chances of getting stellar recommendations.
The most effective recommendation will come from someone who knows you well and can speak to your character on a personal level. Make a list of several people who you could ask. You’ll probably only need three, but it’s always a good idea to have backups in case something falls through.
If you’re applying to college, consider asking a teacher and your high school guidance counselor. Choose teachers of classes where you performed well (and who you had good rapport with). Teachers you had during your junior or senior year will have the freshest memories of you (and are likely more accustomed to writing such letters).