How to Ask Your Supervisor for a Recommendation

Employees often ask their supervisor for a recommendation letter.

Employees often ask their supervisors to write them a letter of recommendation for various purposes. It is not always an easy task to ask for a recommendation, but sometimes it is necessary. People need recommendations for other job offers, for court purposes, for educational purposes or when applying for scholarships or awards. Before asking your supervisor for this letter, prepare what you will say or ask in the form of a letter.

Instructions

1. Determine the purpose for asking. If you are asking for a recommendation letter for another job you are looking into, be sure to discuss this with your supervisor before asking so that he is aware of the situation. If you suddenly ask for a recommendation letter, and are vague about its purpose, your supervisor may wonder why you are asking; which might cause problems if you do not accept the other job. If it is for something other than for another job, asking your supervisor is completely legitimate.

2. Ask for a meeting with him. When you see your supervisor, ask if he would mind meeting with you briefly sometime soon, or send him an email and ask.

3. Explain your purpose. When you discuss the issue with your supervisor, explain to him why you need a recommendation. If it is for a scholarship or an educational activity, describe the reasons you are pursuing this and the importance of it to you.

4. Describe the information you would like him to discuss. A letter of recommendation can contain many different types of information. If there are specific pieces of information or details that you would like him to focus on, clearly express these ideas to him.

5. Write him a letter. If you do not feel comfortable asking in person, write out these details in letter form and give him the letter. Be sure to include a deadline date for the letter and a follow-up call or meeting to let you know if he is willing to write the letter.

6. Thank him. After he agrees to complete a letter of recommendation, personally thank him for taking the time to write it. You can also send him a thank you card to let him know that you are sincerely grateful to him for doing this.

References

• Resume Help: Writing a Letter of Recommendation
• Write Express: Write Recommendation Letters for Success