Letter of Recommendation

Whom to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation

Try to get a letter of recommendation from each employment-related reference whom you know will give you good marks. For example:

• Vice Presidents
• Dept. Managers
• Supervisors
• Subordinates
• Coworkers
• Customers

If you're applying for advanced degree work, ask professors and mentors too.

Naturally, potential employers might "suspect" that you targeted only favorable references to write each letter of recommendation.

But employers still want to know that there are at least some people who have good things to write about you; it puts them at ease.

If you have little or no work experience, target favorable personal and character references to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Professionals who know you well are most impressive. Examples are:

• Professors
• Teachers
• Doctors
• Lawyers
• Ministers
• Executives

Avoid asking certain personal references to write a letter of recommendation for the purpose of employment, as it won't carry much weight. Examples are:

• Best friends
• Casual acquaintances
• Drinking buddies
• Family members

Letter of Recommendation Article
The Value ● Whom to Ask ● Encourage References
Example 1 ● Example 2

Letter of Recommendation Resources
Download Sample Recommendation Letters ● Web Links