Email Requesting Letter of Recommendation

Use these email requesting letter of recommendation examples to secure the letter of recommendation you want.

The people you select to provide you with a letter of recommendation will depend on the purpose of the letter.

• If the recommendation is to support your job application then it is essential to choose an individual who has direct knowledge and experience of your work and is able to describe your suitability for employment.
• If the letter of recommendation is to support your application for admission to an educational or other program, then it is advisable to select a reputable person who knows you well and has the authority to recommend you for the specific program.

Top tips for writing your email requesting a letter of recommendation

1. Give the person sufficient time to respond and write their letter of recommendation. It takes time and thought to put together a good letter of recommendation, and a last minute request may compromise the quality of your recommendation or your request may be refused due to time constraints.  Rule of thumb is that 4 to 6 weeks is an acceptable notice period for your letter of recommendation.

2. Follow up on you email requesting a letter of recommendation with a polite phone call to check that the person is comfortable with providing you with a letter of recommendation and to confirm that the writer has a full understanding of what the letter is for and the information you would like to be included.

3. Send a polite thank you letter for the recommendation.

What should be included in an email requesting a letter of recommendation?

The following information should be included in your email request:

• the exact reason for the letter of recommendation, how it will be used and who it is for
• if it is to support a job application you can include a copy of the job posting or job description and a copy of your resume so that the writer has a clear understanding of what the employer is looking for in a candidate and a full picture of your experience, strengths and accomplishments to date
• if the letter of recommendation is to support an application for an educational program, include details of the program and the requirements of the program
• include any specific instructions for submitting the letter of recommendation and the date it is required by
  

Letter of recommendation request template

Subject line:  Your full name - Letter of Recommendation

Greeting:  Depending on your relationship with the person include their full title or use their first name eg. Dear Jane or Dear Ms Green

Your request:  I am writing to request a letter of recommendation to support my application for .....

Why this person:  Outline briefly why they are a good person to write this specific letter of recommendation  eg. Having worked together for X years I regard you as someone who has a sound knowledge of my work abilities.

Information:   Describe the job or program you are applying for in a few concise sentences and refer to any attachments (job description, program outline, your resume) that expand on this information

Instructions:   Include any necessary details regarding the format of the letter of recommendation, the deadline  and how it should be sent

Closing:  Thank the individual for their time and consideration and highlight your availability to answer any questions they may have

Sincerely:  Your name

Email requesting letter of recommendation - example for a job application

Dear (Name)

I am in the process of applying for a new position and I would like to ask if you would be kind enough to write a letter of recommendation in support of my job application. Having worked together for some time I believe you have a sound knowledge of my work skills and job performance and I am confident that you could provide a credible and valid recommendation.

The job I am applying for is (Job Title) at (Company name) and I have attached the job description to help you gain an understanding of the requirements of the position. I have also included my current resume for your review.

The deadline for submitting the letter is (Date) and I have attached the instructions for sending the recommendation. If you have any questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.

I appreciate you considering my request and thank you for your time and support.

Sincerely

Your Name

Email requesting letter of recommendation - example for an educational program

Dear (Name)

I am currently submitting my application to (Name of educational institution) and I have been asked to include a letter of recommendation. Based on the time I have enjoyed as one of your students, I believe you are the right person to provide a recommendation to support my application and I hope you will consider doing so.

The program I am applying for is (Name of program) and I have attached an outline of the program for your information plus a brief summary of my reasons for applying to this program and why I consider myself a suitable candidate. My current resume is also included for your review.

The deadline for submitting the letter of recommendation is (Date) and instructions on how to submit the letter are attached. Please let me know if I can provide any further information or if there is anything else you need from me.

Thank you for your time and for considering my request.

Sincerely

Your Name

More about letters of recommendation

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