The Letter of ReferenceI am addressing the standard CTE.9-12.2.6 gather and prepare documents related to job-seeking. The General Learner Outcome that I am addressing in this assignment is GLO #5 Effective Communicator, the ability to communicate effectively.

Introduction: For this assignment you will be including three documents: Your request letter for a letter of reference, your resume, and your career report. This assignment will help you develop a clear, precise, and brief letter to your counselor of choice, your teacher of choice, and a coach, church leader, community leader, or other out of school organization. You will be emailing your request at the end of the week. Attached to these directions are hints as to how to put this request together.

1) Determine who you want to ask for a letter of reference, then gather your information.

2) Copy the format available below or from http://www.business-letter-templates.com/

3) Fill in the information on the letter template, save your letter.4) You will be sending your resume and career comparison with the letter.

Chalk and wire directions:Reference Letter is a recommendation for work. You will need at least(3) job-related letters of reference from a teacher or adult who works closely with you. (at least one per year) Scan your Letter of Recommendation. If the file is too large, change file type to GIF in Paint. In your reflection include what you learned and how is this going to help you in the future. Then, upload your Reference Letters. After you are done,

http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearchguide/email.html#subjectlinehttp://www.4hb.com/letters/business-letter-format.html

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/writing-a-reference-letter-with-examples/Who should write a reference letter?If you are approached and asked to write a reference letter for a job candidate, a student or a company, consider whether you can legitimately do so. A reference letter is a formal document, and it is crucial that you do not lie or fudge the truth in it, or there could be legal repercussions. If someone wants a reference letter from you:

The candidate should be someone you know reasonably well. For example, you cannot provide any authoritative comment on the academic ability of a student who’s only been attending your lectures for a week.

You should know the candidate in a capacity which gives you the ability to write a meaningful reference. For example, if you have worked with the person, it would be appropriate for you to write a reference letter to a prospective employer for them.

You should be able to provide an honest and positive reference. If you truly feel that the candidate has no good qualities for you to emphasis, or if you have had a personality clash with them in the past, you should tell them to seek a reference letter from someone else.

What goes into a reference letter?The exact structure of a reference letter will differ slightly depending on the type of reference it is, but this is a good basic outline:

1. Start using the business letter format: put the recipient’s name and address, if known, and address them as “Dear [name]”. If the recipient is currently unknown (this would be likely on an academic application, for instance), then use “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern”.

2. It is often helpful to introduce yourself in the first couple of lines of your letter. The recipient will not need your life history: just give a brief sentence or two explaining your position and your relationship to the candidate.

3. Your next paragraph should confirm any facts which you know the candidate will be supplying along with your letter. For example, if you are writing a reference for a job applicant, some or all of these details may be appropriate:

o The person’s job title, and role within the company.o The person’s leaving salary when they were last employed by you (or your organisation).o The dates which the person was employed from and until.

If you are writing a reference letter for an academic course, you will need to confirm the person’s academic grades.

4. In your third paragraph, you should provide your judgement upon the candidate’s skills and qualities. It is often appropriate to state that you would gladly re-employ them, or that their contributions to your college class were highly valued. Single out any exceptional qualities that the candidate has – perhaps their drive and enthusiasm, their attention to detail, or their ability to lead.

5. Where possible, use your fourth paragraph to give a couple of concrete examples of times when the candidate excelled. (You may want to ask the candidate to tell you about any extra-curricular projects they’ve been involved in, or invite them to highlight anything they’d particularly like you to include in the reference letter.)

6. Close your letter on a positive note, and if you are willing to receive further correspondence about the candidate’s application, make this clear. Include your contact details too.

7. As with any business letter, you should end appropriately; “Yours sincerely” when you are writing to a named recipient, and “Yours faithfully” when you do not know who will be receiving the letter.

Things to avoidMake sure that you avoid:

Mentioning any weaknesses the candidate has. Saying anything that could be construed as libel. Writing in an informal manner: keep the letter business-like. Jokes, slang and casual language are

not appropriate and may harm the candidate’s chances. Including personal information not relevant to the application. Mentioning the candidate’s race,

political stance, religion, nationality, marital status, age or health is usually inappropriate.

Spelling mistakes, sloppy writing or typos: this letter is hugely important to the candidate, and you should take care to make it look professional.

Reference Letter ExamplesThere are a number of good templates for reference letters available on Business Balls. I’ve included one below, which would be appropriate for a general-purpose reference – if you were writing a reference in your capacity as the candidate’s former employer, you would need to include more specific details:DateTo whom it may concernI confirm that I have known (name) for (number) years.(State relationship – social, business, working together in some other capacity, club, activity, project, etc.)At all times I have found (name/him/her) to be (state characteristics – eg, dependable, reliable, hard-working, conscientious, honest, peace-loving, courteous, etc – to be as helpful as possible think about what the reader will most prefer to see, in terms of satisfying concerns, or seeing evidence of relevant required skills or characteristics).I’m happy to provide further information if required. (optional)Yours faithfully, etc. You can find examples of full reference letters on About.com’s “job searching” section. They list letters appropriate for a variety of different situations: here’s one from a previous employer in support of a job candidate:To Whom it May Concern: I highly recommend Jane Doe as a candidate for employment. Jane was employed by Company Name as an Administrative Assistant from 2002 – 2005. Jane was responsible for office support including word processing, scheduling appointments and creating brochures, newsletters, and other office literature. Jane has excellent communication skills. In addition, she is extremely organized, reliable and computer literate. Jane can work independently and is able to follow through to ensure that the job gets done. She is flexible and willing to work on any project that is assigned to her. Jane was quick to volunteer to assist in other areas of company operations, as well. Jane would be a tremendous asset for your company and has my highest recommendation. If you have any further questions with regard to her background or qualifications, please do not hesitate to call me. Sincerely, John SmithTitleCompanyAddressPhoneEmailIf you are still unsure what best to include in the reference letter, imagine yourself in the position of the candidate’s prospective employer, or of the panel reading his/her academic application. What information would they need to know? What qualities would they like their candidates to have? Obviously, you should never lie or mislead in a reference letter, but you should try to focus on areas which will give the recipient the most useful information possible about the candidate.

1. How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?2. Special Talents: Describe the special skills, aptitudes, expertise or abilities the applicant possesses (such as working with people, music, motor skills, computer skills, athletics, artistic talents, science or math aptitudes, investing, writing, public speaking, etc.). This could relate to their personal, community or academic life.3. Leadership: Describe how the applicant has guided, inspired or directed others in their personal, community or academic life. Continuing leadership, not just a brief, one-time-only experience is best.4. Obstacles Overcome: Describe a situation(s) where the applicant has achieved a goal despite problems or challenges that required courage, self-reliance and

determination. These challenges may be economic, emotional, physical or geographic. Describe the situation and how the applicant overcame it.Community Service: Describe the applicant’s participation in up to 3 unpaid volunteer activities, giving specific examples of the type of activity. Include “for whom” the community service was done (example: specific individuals, groups, non-profit organizations, agencies, school or the community at large). Simply attending regular meetings does NOT qualify.

Cover letter http://www.dailywritingtips.com/how-to-format-a-us-business-letter/

Whatever you do – whether you’re a student, employed in an office job, or working as a freelancer – I can guarantee that at some point in your life, you’ll need to sit down and write a formal business letter.It might be to a customer, to an employer with a job that you want, or to apply for university funding. Perhaps it’ll even be to a literary agent or publisher who just might take on your undiscovered novel. Of course, you’ll want the letter to be well-written – but almost as important is knowing how to format it correctly. This article is about US business letter format (for UK readers, don’t worry, I’ll be writing a follow-up one for you.)The main formats for business letters in the US are called full block format and modified block format.

Full block format means that all the elements of the letter are left-justified so that the start of each line is at the left-hand margin. This is the more formal style, so use it if you’re unsure which to go for.

Modified block format means that some elements of the letter are shifted over to the right. Nowadays, this style is appropriate in most contexts.

Here’s a full block format letter

And a modified block format one:

Let’s break those down into the main elements, in top-to-bottom order:Your AddressYour address, also known as the “return address”, should come first. (Note that this applies when using standard plain paper. If you have letter headed paper, you should omit this.)123 Acacia AvenueNewtownAnywhereAN 98765Your return address should be positioned:

On the left-hand side if you’re using full block format On the right-hand side (tab across, rather than right-aligning) if you’re using modified block

formatWhy put your address? Even if the recipient has your details in their address book, you want it to be as hassle-free as possible for them to reply – you’re likely to receive a speedier response.The Date

Directly beneath your address, put the date on which the letter was written:May 15, 2008To avoid any confusion, especially if you are writing to a business abroad, it is best to put the date in word rather than number form, and you should omit the “th”.The date should be positioned on the left-hand side, for full block format and for modified block formatWhy put the date? It’s standard practice to include the date on which the letter was written. Correspondence is often filed in date order. It makes it much easier for the recipient to send a timely reply, and easier for you to chase up an answer if necessary. Eg. “In my letter of May 15…”Reference LineI’ve not included this on the diagram as guidance varies on where it should be placed. You may include a reference line, starting with “Re:” This is often used when corresponding with large companies, or when applying for a job. The reference line can either appear beneath the date, OR beneath the recipient’s address. If you use a reference line, you should usually omit the subject line (see below).The reference line should be left-aligned for both full and modified block formats.Why put a reference line? You should use a reference line if the recipient has requested specific information, such as a job number or invoice number, or if you’re replying to a letter. This makes it easier for the recipient to get a speedy response to you.Recipient’s Name and AddressBeneath this, you should put the name and address of the person you’re writing to, just as it would appear on the envelope. If you’re using a window envelope, this should be aligned on the page to show through the window – but even if it won’t be visible until the letter is opened, it should still be included.The recipient’s name and address should be positioned on the left-hand side, for both formats.Why put their address? If you’re writing to someone in an office, it probably won’t be them who opens the post. An administrator is likely to do so – and letters may be separated from their envelopes at this stage. Particularly if there are multiple departments within one building, or if you are starting your letter “Dear Bob”, a name and address ensures your letter reaches the correct recipient.The GreetingAfter their address, you should leave a line’s space then put “Dear Mr Jones”, “Dear Bob” or “Dear Sir/Madam” as appropriate. Follow this with a colon.The greeting, sometimes called the “salutation”, should always be left-aligned.Why put a greeting? Business letters are a formal type of writing, and it’s considered polite to start with a greeting. Although you can get away with starting emails “Hi” or “Hello”, letters follow more conservative conventions.The SubjectOptionally, you may wish to include a subject for your letter. This is becoming more common, perhaps as people have become used to the subject lines of emails. If you do put a subject line, it should be in uppercase, directly below the “Dear name:”The subject (if you include one) should be left-aligned for full block format, but can be either left aligned or centred for modified block format.Why put the subject? It’s a good idea to include a subject so that the recipient can see at a glance what the letter refers to. Try to be succinct but include as much information as possible, eg. “Funding application from Joe Bloggs, candidate 222-456”.The Text of Your LetterNow, finally, you can write the main body of your letter. Your text should have:

Single-spacing between lines A blank line (NOT an indent) before each new paragraph

(And, of course, you should conform to all the usual rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling: for example, ensuring that you start each sentence with a capital letter, and finish with a full stop.)Why leave blank lines? In the business world, it’s standard practise to put a blank line between paragraphs. This helps to break up the text on the page and make it more readable.The Closing

After the body of text, your letter should end with an appropriate closing phrase and a comma. The safest option is “Yours faithfully” (when you don’t know the name of the person to whom you are writing, ie. when you began “Dear Sir/Madam”) or “Yours sincerely” (when you do know their name). If you are already acquainted with the recipient, it may be appropriate to use a phrase such as “Best regards”, “With warmest regards”, or “Kind regards”.The closing should be:

Left-aligned for full block format On the right (tab across so it matches up with your address) for modified block format

Why use these phrases? Although “Yours sincerely” and “Yours faithfully” might sound archaic, they are time-honoured ways to close a formal letter.Your Name and SignaturePut several blank lines after the “Yours sincerely,” or “Yours faithfully,” then type your name. You can optionally put your job title and company name on the line beneath this.Joe BloggsMarketing Director, BizSolutionsYour name and signature should be:

Left-aligned for full block format On the right (tab across so it matches up with your address) for modified block format

Why leave a blank space? The blank space is so that, when you’ve printed the letter, you can sign it with your name. This is taken as proof that the letter really is from the person whose name is typed at the bottom. Sometimes, another person may sign the letter on your behalf. If this is the case, they should put the letters “p.p.” before their name, which stands for the Latin per procurationem meaning “by agency”.Enjoy writing your letters, and use the examples above to help you with the formatting if you do get stuck.

Writing a Thank You Noteby Ali HaleSending a thank you note is always a lovely gesture – and often an expected one. I’m sure that when you were a child, your parents encouraged (or forced) you to write thank you notes for birthday and Christmas presents. As an adult, you should still make a point of writing a thank you note to express gratitude in a number of situations. These come in both personal and business contexts:PersonalIt’s appropriate to send a thank you note:

When you receive a gift (especially important for wedding gifts). When you’ve been a houseguest in someone’s home (this is sometimes called

a “bread-and-butter letter”). When someone has done a particular favor for you.

BusinessIt’s appropriate to send a thank you note:

After attending a job interview. After receiving a promotion or payrise. After a business lunch, dinner or party. When an acquaintance has given you their time and advice. When a manager or professor has supplied you with a reference letter. To co-workers who’ve given you a gift (this last one may fall into the

“personal” category, depending on how well you know your colleagues).Obviously, the types of thank you notes you write in a personal context (to your grandma, for instance) will differ considerably from the types you write in a business context (to an interviewer whom you barely know). I’ll cover the “personal” and “business” notes separately, outlining the general structure and giving you some examples.

Writing a Personal Thank You NoteIf merely expressing your gratitude doesn’t seem like a good enough reason to write a thank you note, you might like to read these words of advice from Leslie Harpold.I will also grudgingly tell you the hidden secret of thank you notes: They improve the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. People like being appreciated, and if they feel you actually notice the nice things they do for you, they’re more likely to give an encore performance.- How to Write a Thank you NoteIdeally, your letter should be on paper rather than emailed. If you are emailing, you must send individual thank you notes rather than mass-emailing everyone who gave you a gift.In most cases for a personal note, it’s not appropriate to set it out as a formal business letter. Instead, use good-quality notepaper or a nice greetings card. Structuring a Personal Thank You Note

1. You should put your address at the top (or, if you know the recipient will already have your address, simply put the name of your town and state). Add the date.

2. Address the recipient as “Dear [[name]]”, then open the letter by thanking them for the gift, hospitality or kindness offered.

3. Your second sentence or paragraph should give some indication of your enjoyment or use of the gift.

4. Some people like to go on to share a little news, especially if they have been out of touch with the recipient for a while. Some etiquette experts, though, suggest that the thank you note should purely be about the recipient’s kindness, not about your own life. I believe that in a personal context, it’s fine to share your news.

5. A good closing sentence or paragraph is one which looks forward to seeing or speaking to the recipient – especially if a reunion or holiday is coming up. Mentioning “thank you ” again is a good idea, to emphasise the point of the letter.

6. You should not end with “yours sincerely” but with a less formal phrase; “love” or “love from” is often appropriate for relatives, or “best wishes”, “warmest wishes” or even “thanks again”.

Example of a Personal Thank You Note Here’s an example, from the Etiquette Grrls’ book More Things You Need to Be Told (p56):September 1, 2005Dear Katherine,Thank you so much for the wonderful book about nineteenth-century architecture of Long Island that you sent me. Not only was it the perfect present (I haven’t been able to put it down!) but it will certainly come in handy for my studies. You always pick the perfect thing!Again, thanks so much, and I’ll talk to you soon.Love,BitsyAs you can see, a thank you note needn’t be long to be friendly, polite and effective.

Writing a Business Thank you NoteThank you notes are mandatory and expected in some situations. A recent survey by CareerBuilder.com found that:

Nearly 15 percent of hiring managers would reject a job candidate who neglected to send a thank you letter after the interview

32 percent said they would still consider the thankless prospect but that their opinion of him or her would diminish

- advice from Write Express

As you can see, after a job interview, a thank you note may be a must. (This will depend on your career area and the business etiquette in your country.) And in any business situation, it never hurts to send a polite letter, whether or not you think it’s absolutely required. A business thank you letter is somewhat different to the sort you send to your Grandma in gratitude for your Christmas slippers. Your business letter should:

Be typed, ideally on letter-headed paper. (Handwritten or emailed letters are okay if you know the recipient will prefer this.)

Be sent promptly (within 24 hours of an interview, for instance). Be friendly but also professional. It would be very inappropriate to end a business thank you with

“love from”.Structuring a Business Thank You NoteAs with the personal thank you note, there’s an easy formula to follow.

1. Set your letter out as a proper business letter, using letter headed paper and including your address, the recipient’s address, and the date. (You can find instructions on US business letter format and UK business letter format here on Daily Writing Tips.)

2. Address the recipient as “Dear [name],” erring on the side of caution regarding formality. (“Mr Jones” or “Dr Smith” rather than “Bob”).

3. Start by thanking them for the interview, pay rise, promotion, event, or other occasion that you’re writing about.

4. Go on to mention something specific about how it has helped you, or how you enjoyed the event. Be sincere, and make it clear how much you appreciate their time and effort.

5. You may want to mention the next occasion on which you hope to see them – though try not to be presumptuous. If you’re writing a thank you note for an initial interview, don’t act as though you’ve already been given the job!

6. End with “Yours sincerely” when writing to someone you don’t know well (an interviewer or acquaintance from another company). If you’re writing to your boss or manager, “Best wishes” or “Many thanks” might be an appropriate way to close your letter.

Example of a Business Thank You NoteThere are some good examples at Business Thank You Note Samples, including this one:Dear [City officials names],We’d like to express our gratitude for the school administrators’ luncheon last week. The luncheon itself was very well done and enjoyed by all, but of course it’s the sentiment behind the gathering that means the most. The city’s renewed united commitment is a boost to the administration’s morale and a vote of confidence in the school’s future. For that, we thank you .Best wishes, As with a personal note, a business thank you letter needn’t be long. Indeed, since the recipient is likely to be busy, you should try to be concise and stick to the point. And make sure you double and triple proofread your letter – especially if it’s one you’ve sent after an interview, in the hopes of being hired. Early impressions really do count for a lot.

References or Recommendation Letters?Many jobs/internships/scholarships/schools may require you to provide the contact information for any number of references (if they don’t say a number, you can always ask what they’d prefer, but the default is usually three) rather than to provide full letters of recommendation. This is ideal, I think, because it’s less of a drain on the whole of society than having people write full letters, especially for highly competitive programs. Let me explain what I mean by “drain.” When I was applying for professor jobs–and I applied to quite a few–most of the schools required three full letters of recommendation. Now, in this job market, any given professor job may get 50 or more applicants. Some search committee/employer will have to sort through these applicants, and they will probably make a short list of 10 or fewer applicants they think are worthy based on their resumes/CVs. It is only at that point that the committee will actually turn to the letters to read them. So what does this mean for, say, the other 40+ people who weren’t shortlisted? It means that each of their three recommendation letters essentially goes to waste. That’s 120 letters. That’s 120 different people out there who spent maybe as much as an hour preparing and writing your letter of recommendation. That’s 120 hours of human intellect and labor wasted. It’s a big drain on society in general. I much prefer organizations that only ask for the contact information of references up front. This is much easier to provide (i.e., it only involves the person providing the recommendation to say “yes, put me down as a reference” initially), and it’s a lot more respectful of people’s time than the full letter charade. The reality is that employers will probably call these references anyway for additional commentary beyond the letter they wrote, so might as well just cut the letter part out entirely and stick to the phone calls.But I digress. Back to my point.Some application processes ask for a list of references, and some ask for full letters. Either way, you need to ask the person who is recommending you if they’re comfortable doing so. This means you need to get prior approval to use their name before you start spraying your application around on Monster.com. And if they give you full access to use them as a reference widely, it’s still a nice gesture to send them a quick list of jobs you applied for. That way, when the recommender gets a call, they have some kind of clue that it’s coming. Full letters of recommendation require a lot more work on your part. That’s what the rest of this post is for.Asking for a RecommendationWhen you approach someone to write a letter of recommendation for you (or if you ask if you can list them as a reference on your application), you need to make sure you’re not just asking for “a letter.” You need to ask for “a positive letter.” This is a picky point, but there are some people out there that simply say “sure, I can write you a letter,” and then they write a lukewarm or even negative letter. After all, you didn’t ask them to write a positive letter, did you? (I know this is crappy, but it happens. It happened to me once, and I found out about it and learned my lesson.)

The best way to ask, I think, is to meet with the recommender and tell them a little about what it is you’re applying for and why you think you’re a good fit. You don’t need to put on a salesy pitch about why you’re the right fit for what you’re applying for (because they don’t get to make the decision, you know), but it’s important to give some kind of a rationale for why you’re pursuing the thing you’re pursuing. Then, actually ask the following: “I think you can speak to my strengths and my fit for this [scholarship/internship/school/job], and I would appreciate your support. Would you feel confident providing a positive letter of recommendation for me for this?” When you phrase it this way, you give the recommender the opportunity to answer you frankly. If they don’t feel confident writing for you because they think you suck, then you’ve given them the opportunity to tell you right then and there that they’re not up for the task. If they don’t feel confident writing for you because they feel that they don’t know enough about you, then you’ve given them the opportunity to ask you for more information before they agree to write your letter. And if they do feel confident writing a letter for you, then you’ve kind of boxed them in to writing only a positive letter, which is what you want.The majority of the time, though, the person you’ve asked to write a letter for you likes you, respects your work, and they don’t have a problem vouching for you. Let’s move on.Who to AskFirst and foremost, the people you ask to write letters of recommendation for you need to really know you. They need to be able to write a detailed, personal letter of support, not a generic letter that they write for all students. This means that if the best person to recommend you is a Ph.D. student who taught you in their class rather than some distinguished professor who you barely know, then you ask the Ph.D. student. It’s ideal not to have an entire slate of letter writers with “lowly titles,” but a detailed, personal letter from someone lower in the ranks is much more valuable than a generic letter from someone who has a big title or some kind of political prominence. And, of course, the ideal ideal scenario is to have a slate of letter writers who are both powerful/respected/have big titles AND who know you well enough to write a detailed letter.Second, you want to aim for some breadth, too. If you’re applying for a graduate program, for instance, it’s OK to have a letter or two come from people NOT in higher education. If you have an employer who can write a good letter, include it. But if it’s for a graduate program, you definitely need at least one (and ideally a majority) of your letters from someone in academia. Try to build a collection of letters than can speak to your many strengths. If one recommender knows your research ability really well, one knows your teaching ability well, one knows your work leadership experience, and one has taught you in a class, then you have a great collection of letters that speak to the whole picture of who you are.When I applied for professor jobs at research universities, I had letters from my dissertation advisor (who was kind of expected to write a letter for any professor job I applied to…it’s a red flag if your advisor doesn’t write you a letter), a professor from another discipline I had worked on a grant project with, a professor from yet another discipline who knew my research well, and a professor who knew my teaching and service very well. For professor jobs at teaching-oriented universities, I asked a slightly different crew to write for me, focusing more on my teaching abilities and less on my research prowess. Think of the image you want to put forward. Find the people to bring together to help you put forth than image. Have them write the letters.When to AskAs soon as possible. People need at least a week to write a letter of recommendation. Two weeks or more is preferred. And if you ask more than a month in advance, it’s worth following up closer to the deadline to remind them. Asking for letters less than two weeks before a deadline ain’t nice.Be OrganizedOnce you’ve got some people on the hook to write letters, you need to get them the info they need. At minimum, this means sending them some information about the scholarship/school/job you’re applying for and instructions for where/how to mail the letter, including a deadline. Ideally, though, you should provide as much material as possible about the scholarship/school/job AND about yourself so that the letter writer can tailor their letter. Remember, the goal is for your recommenders to write detailed, personal letters, so let them know more about you and your reason for applying. Give them a copy of your application or goal statement or writing samples if you’re comfortable sharing that with them.If you ask for multiple letters for various things you’re applying for, I also suggest providing the letter writers a spreadsheet or calendar with deadlines. When I asked for a bunch of letters when I applied for professor jobs, I sent each recommender an Excel spreadsheet listing details about each letter. For each letter, I provided the following information:

the name of the department and university I was applying to (e.g., University of North Carolina School of Journalism & Mass Communication)

the name of the actual position I was applying for (e.g., assistant professor public relations) the contact person to address the letter to (e.g., “Dr. So-and-So, search committee chair” or if there

isn’t a specific person listed, just “search committee members”) the job description (e.g., a link to it if it was online) a few notes about the position (e.g., insider info you may have, whether you met the employer at a

job fair a few months ago, who you may know at the company, and so on) a few notes about what you’d love the letter writer to say (e.g., I put things like “for this letter, I

know they’re looking for someone with new media expertise in addition to public relation competence, so I’d love for you to really emphasize how my research addresses new media and society”)

who else I had asked to write a letter for me (this helps the letter writer see who else is writing for you. If they know, for instance, that you’ve asked someone else who knows your teaching skills better than they do, then they feel less pressure to cover that issue in their letter)

instructions for submitting the letter (e.g., an email address to send it to; an online system to upload it to; whether the envelope needs to be sealed, signed, and given to you to include in one large application packet; a mailing address if it needs to be mailed; and so on. Providing them a pre-printed envelope with postage on it is a nice touch, especially if you’re asking for tons of mailed letters from people, but generally your recommenders can spring for the stamp)

the deadline for sending the letter (and if it’s a “received by” deadline vs. a “postmark deadline,” you should explain this, too)

Following the Rules & Following UpFollow all the rules for an application process. If they absolutely do NOT want more than three letters of recommendation, then don’t send four. But if they just simply say “three letters required,” then you shouldn’t necessarily feel boxed in to just three letters. If you think a collection of four letters speaks to your strengths the best, then send all four. But try not to send five or more for a three-letter application.If your application and letters are submitted as part of an online system (which is increasingly common), then you can probably track your status to see if/when letters are uploaded and your application is complete. But if this is not the case, it is perfectly acceptable to inquire with the employer/scholarship/school whether the letters were received and your application is complete and valid. If you know all of your letter writers mailed their letters in a week ago and you haven’t heard from the employer/school/scholarship that they’ve received them and your application is good to go, it’s OK to shoot someone at that organization an email and ask. This isn’t an opportunity to sell yourself; it’s just an opportunity to innocently ask if your application was received in good order.If you follow these guidelines for asking for a letter of recommendation, you’ll be in good shape. And I certainly know if more of my students used this format, I’d be in good shape. I’m interested to know if this information is helpful. Leave a comment here if this was useful for you.http://dbrabham.wordpress.com/2011/02/01/how-to-ask-for-a-letter-of-recommendation/

1. High School Counselor/Advisor:Many colleges automatically require a letter of recommendation from every applicant’s high school guidance counselor, often in addition to one other. However, it is important to you as the applicant to have a good relationship with your counselor. This can be hard, especially if you have a large class, but nonetheless important and possible. Make more appointments with your counselor aside from those that are required, just to touch base on your application process or just to chat. They’ll appreciate your keeping them involved as well as get to know you better by seeing you more often. Guidance counselors come into contact with a lot of students throughout the year and in order to get a letter that isn’t generic, you have to stand out in the crowd. College admissions officers read thousands of recommendation letters and reading a letter that is out of the ordinary will stick out to them. Your counselor can also be an excellent resource as well, possibly having contacts at some colleges or companies. Make the most of your relationship with your counselor and show you care and it can really pay off in the end.2. Coach:Sports are a big part of many high school students’ lives and many teams form lifelong friendships and share many memorable experiences while spending so much time together. Often times, the team’s coach

can become a very influential part of the athlete’s life as a mentor and a friend. Chances are, if you’ve played sports, you’ve bonded with a coach on more than just an athletic level. When you spend hours practicing and competing under the guidance of one person, it isn’t uncommon that they know you and your personality well. It is this quality that makes coaches excellent choices to have write your college recommendation letter. They’ve most likely see you handle loss and triumph, discomfort, challenges and leadership, all experiences that shape you as a person. A coach can often testify to your character and work ethic as well, conveying those traits in a way you might not be able to do yourself.3. Teacher:It goes without saying that teachers can be a great resource for college recommendation letters. However, not all teachers are necessarily good choices. It is natural that you’ll be closer to some teachers more than others and they are who you should look to for recommendation letters. Even better, it is good if you’ve spent time with them outside of class, such as during office hours or after school for help. Coming to your teacher for assistance shows humility and dedication, both great qualities in a college applicant. It also helps if you’ve received good grades in their class, although grades are not everything. This teacher should be able to testify to your academic achievements as well as personality traits. For an added push, consider asking a teacher of a subject that you’ll be studying in college, such as your science teacher if you’re looking to become a biology major or your newspaper advisor if your major of interest is journalism. They’ll have that added input about a particular subject that can give an extra boost to the letter and make it even more personal.Regardless of who is writing your letter of recommendation, be sure to leave them two weeks before your application is due, at the very least, to write the letter. Additionally, it’s a common courtesy to provide your reference with an addressed envelope with postage attached for added convenience. They’re doing you a huge favor by agreeing to write on your behalf, so it’s nice to make the process as easy for them as possible.

http://campussplash.com/sources-college-recommendation-letters/

The following are five tips for securing recommendation letters that can help strengthen the overall presentation of your applications. As you anticipate the start of your senior year, keep the following in mind:1. Choose teachers who know what you can do: These are the teachers who push you and don't let you settle for "good enough"—the folks who are more likely to be invested in your long-term success. Contrary to popular belief, your most insightful supporter may not be the teacher regarded as the most popular. Generally speaking, at least one of your recommenders should be someone who is familiar with your critical thinking and communication skills.2. Give your counselor and teachers the courtesy of time: Your recommenders need time to think about and prepare the letter. If you are a high school senior and still have not asked folks to write on your behalf, do it now! Extend the same consideration (time, access to information) you would want if confronted by a writing assignment that accounts for most of your grade in a class.3. Talk with your recommenders about why college is important to you: Share your dreams and ambitions. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. If there are factors beyond your control that have influenced your ability to perform as you would have liked, make sure your recommenders are sufficiently informed so they can help you tell your "story." Give them the necessary information and insight so they can write well-balanced letters on your behalf.[Follow the college admissions to-do list.]4. Share a brief résumé of your activities and achievements: While your teachers know you well from your work in their respective classrooms, they may not have the benefit of the big picture that defines you.5. Provide a list of your application deadlines and the appropriate forms: This includes the pre-addressed, pre-posted envelopes used by each of the colleges for letters of recommendation. While your recommenders may elect to use their own forms, they will still benefit by being able to respond to the guidelines and information requests provided by the colleges to which you are applying.When you ask someone to write on your behalf, you will be able to waive your right of access to that letter. Do it. Your recommenders need to be able to provide complete and balanced perspectives without having to worry about how you or your parents will react to what they have written.

If your recommenders are concerned about being second-guessed in any way, they will be less inclined to share the kind of information that is useful to admissions officers in the credential review. Give them some space and trust that they will act in your best interests. The people you have chosen for this task are your strongest supporters and want to see you do well.http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-admissions-insider/2011/07/11/5-tips-for-securing-recommendation-letters

Letters of RecommendationHow to Get the References You NeedMost college applications request two or three recommendation letters from people who know you in and out of the classroom. It’s your responsibility to find appropriate people to write these letters on your behalf. You also need to give them enough time to write a thoughtful letter. Start by discussing the process, and possible candidates, with your counselor and family.Whom should I ask?Read the application carefully. Often colleges request letters of recommendation from an academic teacher (sometimes in a specific subject), your school counselor or both. If the college requests a letter from an academic teacher, and the subject is not specified, your English or math teachers usually make good candidates.You should also ask one of your teachers from junior year, or a current teacher who has known you long enough to form an opinion of your potential. It is best not to go back too far; colleges want current perspectives on their potential candidates.It can also be good to get a recommendation from a teacher who knows you outside the classroom — for example, the teacher who shaped your performance in the class musical. Whoever you ask should be able to attest to your academic and personal achievements and potential.When should I ask?Make sure to give your recommendation writers plenty of time — at least one month before letters are due — to complete and send your recommendations, but the earlier you can ask the better. Many teachers like to have the summer to write recommendations, so ask them during the spring of your junior year. If you apply under early decision or early action plans, you'll need to ask at the start of the school year, if you didn't ask earlier.How can I get the best possible recommendations?Talk to your recommendation writers. For teachers, it's important that they focus on your academic talents and accomplishments within their classroom, because that's what colleges are looking for in teacher recommendations.Talk to them about what you remember about their classes and your participation in them. Remind teachers of specific work assignments or projects you did, what you learned and any challenges you overcame. Give them the information they need to provide specific examples of your achievement.It's also important that you spend time talking with your counselors and ensure they know about your plans, accomplishments and pursuits. You may want to provide them with a brief resume of your activities and goals; a resume can provide the best overview of your high school involvement and contributions.Also, if there is some aspect of your transcript that needs explaining — for example, low grades during sophomore year — it's helpful to talk with your counselors to explain why and how you've changed and improved.Helpful Tips

Don't be shy. Teachers and counselors are usually happy to help you, as long as you respect their time constraints.

Supply your recommendation writers with addressed and stamped envelopes for each college to which you're applying.

Provide teachers and counselors with deadlines for each recommendation that you are requesting.

On the application form, waive your right to view recommendation letters. This gives more credibility to the recommendation in the eyes of the college.

Probably you know your teachers well enough to know who can provide favorable reviews of your accomplishments. If in doubt, don't hesitate to ask if they feel comfortable writing a recommendation. In some cases, you may have no choice about whom to ask, but when you do, make the best choice possible.

Follow up with your recommendation writers a week or so prior to your first deadline, to ensure recommendations have been mailed, or to see if they need additional information from you.

Once you’ve decided which college to attend, write thank-you notes to everyone who provided a recommendation and tell them where you've decided to go to college. Be sure to do this before you leave high school.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/119.html

Tips for Requesting Letters of Recommendation Here are some guidelines and suggestions for a letter of recommendation.1. Ask someone who knows you well; recommendations can make or break your application.2. Give the person you are asking to write your recommendation some help by providing them with a summary or a few lines answering some questions like these:v For what scholarship is the recommendation to be used?It is important that the writer know how the letter is going to be used.  You wouldn’t want him/her to praise you as an athlete when you are trying to impress the scholarship committee with your academic achievements.  You would like the writer to make the letter personal and more meaningful so that the committee will learn more about you.v When is the recommendation needed? You should ask for the letter at least two weeks prior to the deadline.  Be sure to inform the writer (in writing) of the deadline.  If you do not give ample notice, then your lack of planning or lack of consideration for them can be reflected in the letter.    In some cases, letters of recommendation are sent directly; in those cases you should provide an addressed, stamped envelope for the writer’s convenience.v What do you want him/her to say about you? A resume or an information sheet about yourself should be given to the writer.  You want the writer to write positive descriptions of you.  Provide a list of your accomplishments and activities to the teacher or counselor who is writing your letter. Make arrangements to pick up the letter.  This is also a useful tool for the writer and will make the letter easier for him to write.  Be sure to include your accomplishments, achievements, work experiences both in school and outside of school.  Inform the writer of your goals and aspirations after high school.  Spend a few minutes with the writer to answer any questions he may have.  It is acceptable to give them some polite pointers, such as “this committee is looking at financial need and my dad has recently been laid off” or “my sister is still in college, too.”v What does he/she do with it after it is written?Ask that the letter be placed in a sealed envelope with your name and the scholarship or purpose written on the outside of the envelope and then give it to you.  An open letter of recommendation is not acceptable to most committees.  If the letter is open and available to the applicant, the committee may question its validity.http://www.seguinhs.org/?page_id=48To write a good letter, you need to know about the student’s academic activities, adherence to school policies, any awards that he received, and personal characteristics like integrity and initiative. The letter should be like the letters for employment, with an opening paragraph, several in the body, and a closing paragraph. Don’t forget to sign the letter and always keep a copy in case the student needs another letter of recommendation.