Asking for a Letter of Reference

Asking for a Letter of ReferenceAsking for a Letter of ReferenceYoure right in the middle of applying for a job online when you notice that the hiring manager is requesting at least one letter of recommendation. While you have them in your LinkedIn profile, you might still need an actual reference letter to submit to potential employers. Here is what you need to know about asking for a letter of reference that will benefit you the most.Ask for permission.Dont assume that your previous employers will automatically give you a letter. Choose at least 3-4 former employers to ask for recommendation letters. Ask if it would be okay to receive not only a recommendation letter from them, but if they would be amenable to any follow up questions from an interviewer.Choose wisely. If you had a tepid relationship with your previous employer, ask specifically if shell give you a positive recommendation. If your former employer doesnt respond or if you feel that she might give you a halfhearted re view at best, ask another former employer or colleague instead. Chances are, if she cant write a positive rec, she wont sing your praises when a hiring manager calls her, either.Provide examples. If its been a few years since you last worked with your boss, its a good idea to refresh her memory of your work history. Offer some examples of how you helped the companys bottom line, or how you implemented new time-saving programs. Being as specific as possible will allow your boss to write a mora accurate- and positive- reference letter.Make it simple.If your former boss agrees to write the rec, provide an outline of what you would need it to say and when you need it by. Let her know if she can email it to you, and ask if you can post it on LinkedIn as well. Need a hard copy? Send her extra sheets of quality cover letter paper and some self-addressed stamped envelopes, so she can dash off the letter and mail it to you in no time.Follow up. Be sure to thank your former employer for takin g the time to write such a great reference letter. You can even follow up with her after youve gotten a position. That way, shell know that you are truly appreciative for her time and for her assistance in helping you land your new job.Asking for a reference letter can be simple if you take the time to explain exactly what you need. The good news is that you can reuse that reference letter over and over when applying for new jobs.Readers, have you asked former employers for letters of reference? What welches the experience like?