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Obtaining and Managing References
Who do I ask to write letters of recommendation?
- College supervisor(s), mentor teacher(s), other teachers or administrators who have observed lessons, committee work, or other involvement in the schools.
- Current or former employers (even those not related to educational institutions).
- Individuals who have supervised the candidate in volunteer experiences.
- Faculty members who have supervised research or committee work.
How do I ask someone to write a reference for me?
- Identify at least 3 individuals who fit the profiles listed above.
- Email or call the individuals, or make an appointment/visit them during posted office hours.
- When you contact these individuals, ask them if they are comfortable being a reference for you. Inform or remind them that you will be searching for a job and/or applying to graduate school.
- Provide these individuals with an updated copy of your resume and briefly remind them of how you have worked with them/when they observed you.
- If you sense hesitation, give them time and space to consider your request. You may assume you have a good relationship with the person, but there may be some issue they have yet to discuss with you which may make them cautious about writing a reference for you.
- Should they decline to be a reference for you, it is ok to respectfully ask them if there is something you as a candidate need to be aware of regarding your suitability for employment or further education. Bear in mind that it is their prerogative to decline being a reference for you; they may indeed have many other responsibilities to attend to and may not be able to comply with your request in a timely fashion. Politely thank them for their consideration and honesty.
- If they agree to write a letter of recommendation for you, thank them and let them know a deadline by when you need it and have them send it directly to you. Ask them to write the letter on letterhead (official stationery of the school or organization where they work). Provide them with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and/or your accurate, professional email address that you use for your job search.
- These letters of recommendation will be considered non-confidential since you are managing them yourself.
- If you do not receive their letter by the deadline you gave them, be sure to follow up with them as a gentle reminder that you need to receive the recommendation so you may supply it to employers/grad schools who request it.
- *Letters of recommendation for employment are typically different from letters of recommendation for graduate/professional school admission. Letters for employment typically highlight your classroom management style, rapport with students, technology fluency, and such topics that will be of interest to an employer. Letters for graduate/professional school typically identify your merit as a scholar, your academic successes, research interests, experience, and capabilities, and your ability to complete the academic requirements necessary for success in a program. As such, you may wish to identify various individuals who are able to speak to these separate areas. If you identify a reference as being able to write on your behalf for employment as well as graduate school, it may be advisable to ask them to write two (2) separate letters - one to be used for employment and another to be used for admission to graduate/professional school.
- Be sure to send a thank you note or thank you email to each of the individuals who wrote letters of recommendation for you.
- Send an update and another thank you when you secure a position.
How to use letters of recommendation in your job search.
- Keep any original hard-copy letters. Upload or save all to electronic file so you can easily upload to applications.
- Develop a system that works for you to easily organize and access your letters - hard-copy as well as electronic. Accurately name your electronic files so you know which letters you are accessing and sending to which district and/or graduate program.
- You may find that you have more than 3 individuals who wrote you letters of recommendation. That is fine and will allow you to choose among them and send the most appropriate letters to each potential employer or graduate school. Each potential employer or graduate school typically requests 3 letters of recommendation.
What is the difference between a reference list and a reference letter?
- A Reference Letter is written for you by a faculty member, current or former employer, advisor, or other professional who can advocate for you and your fit for the job or graduate school.
- A Reference List is a list of references that you create with the names and contact information of your references that you give to a potential employer at their request. An example of a reference sheet is here.
