Getting a letter of recommendation can help you stand out on a job or academic application. It can give more personality to your application and emphasise what makes you the perfect fit for the role or course. But it’s important to make sure that you ask the right person for a letter of recommendation. This way, it can have the impact you want it to.

Read on to discover our top tips on how to ask for a letter of recommendation. Learn more with Adobe Express.

When to ask for a letter of recommendation.

There could be many scenarios when you need to ask for a letter of recommendation. For example, you may require one to help support your job, college, or university application.

Employers may ask for a letter of recommendation alongside a CV to gain insight into your work ethic and skills from your previous role. While admission officers may seek a letter of recommendation from your previous teachers to gauge a better understanding of your academic abilities and character.

Ideas for recommendation requests.

How to ask for a recommendation letter in 5 simple steps.

Unsure how to ask for a letter of recommendation? Read on as we walk you through the process.

1. Compile a list of people to contact for a recommendation.

First things first, you’ll need to think wisely about who you’re going to ask to write you a letter of recommendation. Even if your prospective employer hasn’t requested one, it can be a good idea to scope out certain people who would be willing to give you one, should this be requested at a later stage.

When choosing your recommender, opt for people you know well and who can vouch for your performance, skills and character. For example, a previous college tutor, or a previous employer. It may even be a good idea to ask more than one person for a letter of recommendation, just in case the person you ask falls through, or can no longer write the letter for whatever reason.

2. Get in touch to see if they’re happy to help.

Once you’ve narrowed down the right people to ask, promptly send them a request to give them enough time to respond before your application closes. In terms of asking, here are a few scenarios which may be fitting:

• In person – If you see the person often (such as a professor or colleague), ask them first in person.
• On LinkedIn or social media – If you’re no longer in regular contact with the person, reach out to them on LinkedIn or social media.
• Via email – Send them a short email and ask for a letter of recommendation. If you’ve already asked in person, it doesn’t hurt to send a follow-up email.

3. Send a formal request with all the relevant details.

Make the process smoother by sending them a formal request with all the necessary information. A simple email should work. Here’s some key information to include:

• Details of the job opening/course.
• Why you’re applying for the role/course.
• How to contact you should they have any questions (phone number, WhatsApp, email, etc).
• When you need the recommendation for.
• How they should send the letter when finished.

Adobe Express has plenty of free letter of recommendation templates, which they can easily edit and share with you and your prospective employer in seconds.

4. Ask in advance.

It takes time to write a letter of recommendation, so it’s important to give as much notice as possible. This will give the person you’re asking enough time to write the letter. If you’re applying for an academic programme, it’s wise to ask at least four to six weeks before the deadline. If you’re applying for a job, ask for the letter as soon as you know you may need one. But of course, if in doubt, the earlier you ask, the better.

5. Highlight your skills and achievements.

Highlight any key skills and achievements you want your recommender to include in the letter. It can help to make a bullet point list of these. For example, key projects you’ve worked on, or awards you’ve won. Not only will this help them write a personalised and detailed letter, but it can also help you stand out against the competition.

Quick tips for asking for a UK recommendation letter.

The best way to ask for a recommendation letter will depend on your current relationship with the person. But here are a few tips you can utilise to increase your chances of success:

Ask the right people.

It’s important to ask the right people for a recommendation letter. This is because their relationship with you can significantly influence the quality and relevancy of the letter. For example, somebody who knows you well, such as your previous college tutor or employer, is likely to be able to portray the best image of you, along with your key skills and achievements.

Be clear about deadlines.

Be transparent about deadlines from the beginning. This can make it easier for the recommender to set aside enough time to get it done in time. After all, the last thing you want is to miss your application deadline.

Be clear about what you need from them.

It’s also important to clearly outline exactly what you need from your recommender. This will help ensure that the letter portrays everything you need it to and doesn’t stray off topic.

Check the information you provide is correct.

Make sure any information you give to your recommender is correct. Your letter should be an accurate representation of your key characteristics and skills. So, ensuring the information you supply is correct will help to make sure the letter reflects you in a positive and authentic way.

Don’t forget to say thank you.

Whenever you ask someone for a letter of recommendation, it’s important that you show them you appreciate their time. Remember to be professional and take the time to thank them. Your recommender is likely to respect your manners, which may reflect in their recommendations.

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Good to know.

How do you ask a professor for a letter of recommendation?

You can ask your professor for a letter of recommendation in person or via email. If you’re asking in person, it may be best to schedule an appointment first. Or you could grab them for a quick chat if they have a spare moment after your lecture or seminar.

If you choose the latter, make sure you send a follow-up email detailing exactly what’s needed. Don’t forget to include all the necessary information, such as what the letter is for, what kind of information you’d like it to include and, most importantly, the deadline.

Can you ask for a recommendation letter from your current employer?

Knowing how to ask for a letter of recommendation from an employer can be tough. As it can be quite a touchy subject, it’s important to be clear with them. For example, if you’re planning to quit your current role and need a letter of recommendation to apply for a different job, you may wish to give your employer a heads-up about your decision to leave first.

You could schedule a private meeting with your employer. This way, you could easily express your desire to leave your current role and ask them if they’d be willing to write you a letter of recommendation.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes. The basic version of Adobe Express includes everything you need to start working creatively. Adobe Express offers thousands of design templates, images, videos and royalty-free photos, quick actions for processing images, as well as much more. You can say thank you to your recommender, for example, by creating a thank you card, or create a custom CV to submit alongside your letter.