Are you feeling lost when it comes to crafting the perfect letter of recommendation request email? Worry no more! In this article, we’ve got you covered with samples that you can easily edit to fit your specific needs. A well-written request for a recommendation can mean the difference between landing that dream job or being overlooked. It’s essential to make sure that you put your best foot forward and present yourself in the best light possible. So, whether you’re requesting a letter from a past employer, colleague, or professor, we’ve compiled several email templates that you can use as a guide. Trust us, it’s always better to have a solid foundation to work from than starting from scratch. So, buckle up and let’s dive into these samples!
The Best Structure for a Letter of Recommendation Request Email
If you are applying to a school, scholarship, or job, you might need a letter of recommendation from a professor, teacher, or employer to support your application. However, asking for a letter of recommendation can be awkward and tricky, especially if you don’t know the person well or they are busy. Therefore, it’s essential to write a professional and effective email to ask for a letter of recommendation that reflects well on you and makes it easy for the person to say yes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to structure your letter of recommendation request email.
Greeting:
The first thing to do is to start with a polite and friendly greeting that addresses the person by name and title, such as “Dear Professor Smith” or “Dear Ms. Johnson.” If you don’t know the person well, you can use their formal title or last name. However, if you have a personal relationship with the person, you can use their first name and a casual tone.
Introduction:
In the introduction, you should state the purpose of your email and explain why you are asking for a letter of recommendation. Be specific about the program, scholarship, or job you are applying to, and give a brief overview of your qualifications and achievements that make you a good candidate. You should also mention how you know the person and why you trust their judgment and insights. This will help them understand the context and importance of the letter.
Request:
Next, you need to make a clear and polite request for the letter of recommendation. Ask if the person would be willing to write a letter for you, and explain what the letter should include, such as your academic performance, work ethic, leadership skills, or character traits. You should also provide any relevant deadlines and instructions on how to submit the letter, such as an online portal, email, or mail. This will help the person know what is expected of them and how to meet your needs.
Thank You:
Finally, you should end your email with a gracious and appreciative thank you message that acknowledges the person’s time and effort. Thank them for considering your request, and express your gratitude for their support and encouragement. You can also offer to provide any additional information or materials that might help them write a stronger letter, such as your resume, transcript, or personal statement. Remember to sign off with a polite and professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”
Overall, the best structure for a letter of recommendation request email is one that is brief, clear, polite, and appreciative. You want to make it easy for the person to say yes and give them the information they need to write a strong and positive letter that showcases your talents and potential. By following the above steps, you can create an email that gets results and helps you stand out from the competition.
Request for Letter of Recommendation Samples
Request for a job reference
Greetings Mr./Ms./Dr. [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am currently in the process of applying for a job [insert job title] at [insert company name]. I was hoping that you could kindly provide a letter of recommendation to support my job application. I believe that your endorsement would be an invaluable asset to my application.
The position I am applying for requires certain skills and abilities that I developed during my tenure at [insert previous company name]. I am grateful for the time I spent working with you and learned so much from you while I was there. I believe that having your reference would greatly increase my chances of landing this job.
Please let me know if you would be willing to provide a letter of recommendation for me. I understand that you may have a busy schedule, so please let me know how much time you would require to complete the letter.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Request for academic reference
Good day Dr. [Name],
Hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request for your assistance in providing me a letter of recommendation as I apply for a graduate program in [insert program name] at [insert university name].
As my former professor in [insert course], I am certain that your recommendation will significantly enhance my application and give me a better chance of being admitted to the program. I very much appreciate your effort and time in composing the letter, and I guarantee you that it will not go unnoticed.
The application deadline is quickly approaching, and I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with the letter by [insert date]. Please let me know if I can provide you with additional information to assist you as you write the reference letter.
Thank you for your time and willingness to assist me. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Recommendation request for an internship program
Hello [Internship Coordinator’s Name],
I hope this email finds you in good health and doing well. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for the [insert internship program name] which I am applying for.
I am very excited about [insert reasons for choosing this program] and I am confident that it will give me the skills and experience that I need to be successful in my field of interest. With this in mind, I thought that you would be the perfect person to provide me with a reference letter as you know my work ethics and have witnessed my commitment to learning.
If it’s not too much trouble, may I request that you write the letter and address the following areas which include:
- my academic achievements in [insert subject area]
- my ability to work collaboratively with classmates and professors
- my commitment and adaptability to learning new things.
If you are willing and able to provide the reference, please let me know what information I need to provide you with and the deadline by which you would like the letter sent.
Thank you for your time and assistance. I am very excited about the opportunity to participate in this program and your letter would be of great help in achieving my goals.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Recommendation request for scholarship application
Dear [Scholarship Committee member’s name],
I hope this email finds you in good health. I am [Your Full Name], a student at [University/College Name] currently in [Year] studying [Major]. I am writing this letter to request your assistance in providing me with a letter of recommendation as I prepare to apply for the [insert scholarship name] Scholarship.
I have always been passionate about [insert area of interest] and I am committed to achieving my academic and career goals. I am confident that winning this scholarship will provide me with the resources that I need to advance my studies and achieve my career aspirations. With your expertise and knowledge concerning my work, I believe that your endorsement of my application would add value to my scholarship application.
If you are willing to provide me with a reference, please let me know what I can do to assist you with your recommendation. The scholarship deadline is quickly approaching, so I would appreciate it if you could let me know as soon as possible if you will be able to provide a reference letter for me.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Request for a reference from a former supervisor
Hello [Supervisor’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request your assistance in providing me a letter of recommendation to assist me in my job search for a new role at [insert company name].
As my former supervisor at [insert previous company name], I believe you can attest to my work ethic, skills and experience acquired while working with you and your team. I can assure you that the reference letter you provide would be invaluable in helping me secure the job.
Please inform me If there is any additional information you require from me to assist in preparing the letter by [insert date]. I appreciate your time, effort, and willingness to assist me in my endeavors.
If there is anything I can do to repay the favor or offer you extra information, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you again,
[Your Name]
Request for a reference from a former colleague
Dear [Colleague’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request for your assistance in providing a letter of reference to support a job application I am pursuing.
As a former colleague who has witnessed my work first hand, I believe you would be an invaluable asset in supporting my application with a letter of recommendation. I have great confidence that the position at [Insert Company Name] would be a great opportunity for me to grow my career, and your reference would be an essential part of boosting my chances of getting hired.
If you can, please let me know the date by which you could finish the letter, along with any additional information you might need from me. I appreciate your assistance and am grateful for the support you have offered me over the years.
Thank you for your time in reading this letter.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Request for a character reference
Dear [Name],
I hope you are well. I am currently in the process of applying for a role, and I believe that as someone who has known me for years, you would be the perfect person to provide me with a character reference to support my application.
As a person who has worked with me in the past and has known me personally, I am confident that you would have a unique and valuable perspective on what I can contribute. Your reference letter will help me display the qualities and abilities to help me stand out from other candidates.
Please let me know if you can provide me with a reference letter for the job application. I completely understand if your schedule does not permit you to do so, so please let me know how much time you would need to prepare the letter.
Thank you for your consideration and time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Tips for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation via Email
Whether you’re applying for a scholarship, job, or academic program, requesting a letter of recommendation is an essential part of the process. Writing an email to ask for a letter of recommendation can be intimidating, especially if you’re not sure how to phrase your request. Here are some tips to help you craft an email that will increase your chances of getting the recommendation letter you need:
1. Ask if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation
Before asking for a letter of recommendation, you should make sure that the person you’re asking is willing and able to write a positive letter on your behalf. Asking directly if they’re able to provide a supportive recommendation can help avoid any awkward situations or miscommunications.
2. Provide enough time for the recommender to write a quality letter
When you’re asking for a letter of recommendation, it’s important to give your recommender enough time to write a quality letter. Typically, most recommenders need at least a couple of weeks to write a thoughtful recommendation. So make sure you reach out with enough lead time to give your recommender ample time to write, edit and submit the letter.
3. Explain what the letter will be used for
Make sure to inform the recommender about the purpose of the letter, whether it’s for a job, scholarship, or academic program. This information gives the recommender a better sense of the kind of qualities and skills they should highlight in their letter.
4. Provide any materials and instructions need for their letter
Give your recommender all the information they need to write an effective letter of recommendation. This may include instructions on where to submit the letter, specific details about the type of letter you’re requesting, such as mentioning particular skills, and any materials or resources that would help the recommender write a more informed letter.
5. Show your gratitude
Closing your email with a thank you message is a meaningful way to show your appreciation for their time and support. Your recommenders are doing you a great favor by writing this letter so it’s important to recognize the effort and time they are dedicating to help you reach your goals.
Absolutely essential to getting the recommendation is making the process as simple and no-fuss for the recommender. This means minimizing the amount of work they have to do to write you the recommendation. Consider providing a template, with blanks where they can fill in more personalized details, or attach materials that they can reference when writing the letter. Additionally, it’s a good idea to follow up with your recommender once they have submitted the letter, to thank them again and let them know how much it meant to you. With these steps, you should be able to request a strong letter of recommendation that will help you take the next step in your academic or professional journey.
What should be the subject line of the email?
The subject line of the email should clearly indicate the purpose of the email, i.e., requesting a letter of recommendation. It should be concise and to the point, for example, “Request for Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School Application.”
When should I send the email request for a letter of recommendation?
You should send the email request for a letter of recommendation at least 4-6 weeks before the application deadline. This will give your recommender enough time to write a strong letter of recommendation for you.
What should I include in the email request for a letter of recommendation?
You should include your full name, the institution/organization and program you are applying to, the deadline for submission, and a brief explanation of why you are seeking a letter of recommendation.
How do I politely remind my recommender to write the letter of recommendation?
A polite reminder email can be sent to your recommender a week before the deadline. In the reminder email, express your gratitude for their time and effort and emphasize the importance of the letter to your application.
What format should the letter of recommendation be in?
The letter of recommendation should be on official letterhead, signed, and submitted in PDF format if possible. The recommender should also include their contact information and credentials at the bottom of the letter.
What should I do after receiving the letter of recommendation?
You should thank your recommender for their time and effort in writing the letter and keep them updated on the status of your application.
Can I ask for multiple letters of recommendation from the same recommender?
You should avoid asking for multiple letters of recommendation from the same recommender as it may reflect poorly on your organization and planning skills. Instead, try to ask for letters from different individuals who can speak to your strengths in different areas.
Wrapping it Up:
That’s all for our sample letter of recommendation request email! We hope you found it helpful and informative. A well-crafted letter of recommendation can go a long way in helping you achieve your career goals, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors, colleagues, and mentors for their support. With that said, thanks for taking the time to read our article, and don’t hesitate to come back for more useful tips and tricks in the future!