Requesting Recommendation Letters: Some Tips

Greetings again. I hope you’re doing well.

At least in some places, researchers (or future researchers) commonly need recommendation letters. Such letters describe the person’s abilities and discuss the person’s suitability for the opportunity being sought.

Researchers often need recommendation letters when applying for graduate school. They also may need them when seeking scholarships, jobs, awards, or other items.

Normally such letters should come from people who know one’s academic or professional abilities well. Examples include one’s professors and one’s supervisor.

How can you help ensure that the letter will be informative and otherwise helpful? Here are some tips from a career-development workshop I gave at the recent American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting:

• Contact the potential recommender early enough (generally, at least 2 weeks before the recommendation is needed).
• If the person might not remember you, consider sending a photo if you can’t meet with the person.
• Make sure the person has enough background information on what you’re applying for.
• Remember to provide any needed forms and instructions.
• Provide any other items that seem likely to be useful. Possibilities include your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, samples of your work, and copies of your application essays.
• If the recommendation will be sent by postal service rather than electronically, provide a stamped, addressed envelope.
• Thank the recommender.
• If you receive the opportunity that you’re seeking, inform the recommender, and thank him or her again.

I hope these tips are helpful. Wishing you a good week— Barbara