One of the most important parts of your application for graduate school or a job is the Letter of Recommendation (LOR). A strong LOR can give admissions committees or employers a good idea of your skills, personality, and future potential. But you need to think carefully about how to ask for and structure a strong LOR.
In this guide, we'll show you how to ask for a strong LOR, give you a good way to structure the letter, and tell you what makes a great recommendation letter.
1. How to Get a Strong LOR
It can be hard to ask someone for a letter of recommendation. The person who writes the LOR should know you well, know your academic or professional strengths, and be able to talk about your potential. Here is how to do it:
How to Ask for a Strong LOR in Steps:
1. Pick the Right Person to Recommend You
· Academic Recommenders: Pick professors, academic advisors, or research mentors who know about your schoolwork and what you've done well.
· Professional Recommenders: If you've worked before, think about asking managers, coworkers, or project leads who have seen you grow as a professional.
· Character References: Sometimes, mentors, volunteer leaders, or people who can vouch for your leadership and personal qualities are also good choices.
2. Ask Early
At least 6–8 weeks before the deadline, get in touch with your recommender so they have enough time to write a good letter.
Be polite and give them a clear timeline. Also, know that writing a recommendation takes time.
3. Be Clear About What You Want
Give your recommender clear information about the job or program you're applying for. This will help them write the letter in the right way.
Tell them what you want to do and why you want to do it.
Tell them what specific traits or experiences you want them to focus on. If you're applying to a Master's in Data Science, for example, ask them to talk about your research experience, analytical skills, and ability to work with others.
4. Give Supporting Materials
Give your recommender the following things to make their job easier:
· Your resume or CV with important information about your schoolwork and other activities.
· A draft of your Statement of Purpose (SOP) or personal statement (if you have one) so they know what you want to do.
· Information about the program you're applying to, such as the specific skills or qualifications that are needed.
5. Say Thank You
· Thank them for their time and effort after they agree to write the letter.
· After you send the letter, send a thank-you note with follow up.
2. How to Write a Good LOR
A good Letter of Recommendation should be clear, short, and organized in a way that shows off your strengths and why you would be a good fit for the job or program you're applying for. Here's how a typical LOR is set up:
1. Beginning
Who is the Recommender? The letter should start by introducing the person who is recommending you, what they do, and how they know you. This shows that they are trustworthy and have a good relationship with you.
Recommendation Context: The person who is recommending you should briefly say how long they have known you and in what capacity (for example, as a professor in a specific course, as a project supervisor, etc.).
For example:
"I am happy to recommend [Student's Name], whom I have had the pleasure of mentoring for the past two years as a professor in the Department of [Subject] at [University]. During this time, I've been able to closely watch [his/her/their] academic growth and contributions to the field.”
2. Strengths in school or work
Highlight Achievements: This part should show off your strengths in school or at work. The person who recommends you should talk about your skills, work ethic, and accomplishments that are directly related to the program.
Give Examples: A good LOR should have specific examples that show how good you are. For example, talk about how well you did on a certain project, class, or task.
For example:
"[Student's Name] showed a deep understanding of the material in my [Subject] class, often going above and beyond by bringing up advanced topics in class discussions." One example that stood out was when [he/she/they] gave a research paper on [Topic] that impressed both me and my coworkers because it was so original and well-thought-out.”
3. Traits of a Person
Show Character: In this part, the person writing the recommendation should talk about your personal traits, like how well you lead, how honest you are, and how well you work with others.
Give Examples: Personal stories or specific examples of when you showed these traits can make the recommendation stronger.
For example:
"[Student's Name] is a person of high integrity and great initiative, in addition to their academic achievements." I remember a time when [he/she/they] volunteered to lead a group project on [Topic]. They made sure that everyone on the team did their part and that the project was finished on time. "[Student's Name]'s leadership and willingness to work with others were key to the project's success."
4. Fit for the Program
This is the most important part of the LOR: why you would be a good fit. The person who writes the recommendation should say why you would be a good fit for the job or program you're applying for. This part should show how your skills, education, and personal traits fit with the goals of the program.
For example:
"I am sure that [Student's Name] will do well in your Master's program in [Field] because [he/she/they] has a great academic record and strong leadership skills." [His/Her/Their] love of [subject/field] and [his/her/their] ability to use what [he/she/they] learned in school to solve real-world problems will make [him/her/them] a great addition to your school.”
5. Final Thoughts and Suggestions
Reaffirm Recommendation: The letter should end with a strong recommendation for you to get the job or program. The person writing the recommendation should have complete faith in your ability to succeed.
Contact Information: Give the admissions committee the recommender's contact information in case they need to get in touch with them.
For example:
"I strongly suggest that you let [Student's Name] into your program. [He/She/They] have shown that [he/she/they] is a dedicated and capable student, and I am sure that [he/she/they] will make important contributions to your academic community. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me at [Email/Phone].”
3. Advice for a Strong LOR
Be specific; a general letter won't help. The more specific the person who recommends you is about your skills and accomplishments, the better the recommendation will be.
Focus: Make sure the recommender talks about qualities or experiences that are directly related to the program you are applying to.
Tone: The tone should be upbeat, professional, and excited. A letter that is only somewhat warm can do more harm than good.
Length: The letter should be 2 to 3 pages long. A short, well-written letter is often more powerful than a long one (4 pages or more).
Consistency: If you're applying to more than one program, make sure that each LOR meets the needs of that program.
In conclusion, how to write a good LOR
For your job or graduate school application, you need a well-organized Letter of Recommendation. You can make sure your LOR has the desired effect by asking the right person, giving them the information they need, and helping them write a letter that is specific and focused.
Your recommender can show off your academic and personal strengths in a way that makes you stand out to admissions committees or employers if they do it the right way.
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