Free Tips and Resources

WRITING RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
HELPING YOU GET TO THE JOB-OFFER FINISH LINE

Giving your boss, colleague or other professional reference traction in the process of articulating their thoughts in a muscular Recommendation or Reference Letter is an essential component to spurring you to the job-offer finish line!

As such, I will offer some questions you may want to ask yourself during the reference-letter-writing process and tips on helping your references construct effective recommendation letter communications:

1) Who Is the Target Reader?

a. Focus as to whom the recommendation letter will be submitted (recruiter, decision-maker, human resources professional, etc.) and for what position.

2) Will the Letter Follow Your Job Interview?

a. If you already have undergone a job interview or series of interviews, identify and hone in on key achievements and abilities in your professional background that tie to current or impending needs/problems, etc. of the hiring company.

b. If you left the interview feeling uneasy about certain aspects of the discussion (i.e., you are unsure you were convincing enough to the interviewer on certain points), then address those in the recommendation letter (of course, you'll address those issues in the follow-up thank-you letter as well!). A third-party (your boss, etc.) affirming that you have a track record of success and ability in areas of need for the hiring organization is highly reinforcing and could eliminate concerns.

3) Will the Letter Precede a Job Interview?

a. If you have not yet undergone a job interview, then envision what types of companies may be reviewing the letter; identify and hone in on key achievements and abilities that would meet or exceed those companies' current or impending needs/problems, etc.

4) What Areas of Your Professional Brand Need Communicated?

a. Create a set of questions for your boss, colleague or other professional reference who will either be writing the recommendation letter or who will be called upon during the reference-checking process, then submit to your reference asking him/her to write out responses. Sample questions may include:

i. What operational / organizational / administrative challenges / issues / problems were you or the company experiencing, and what was your situation like before knowing me?

ii. How, specifically, did my management / leadership contributions make a positive difference to you / your company / your clients (e.g., please address specific benefits / results)? (Quantify your response, if possible.)

iii. How will this impact your division's / organization's / customers' future?

iv. To whom and why would you recommend me?