Letters of Recommendation!

Last week, I told you some of the do's and don't's of references. On a related, BUT VERY DIFFERENT note, it is important to know how to handle a letter of recommendation. You will absolutely need two to three letters of recommendation if you plan to continue your education (i.e. graduate school, law school, medical school, etc.) and some employers also ask for them.

There is a lovely example worksheet in our Job and Internship Resource Guide on page 35 that shows many of the points that should be included in a letter of recommendation. Some of the points include:

• affiliation/ relationship to the person (supervisor, adviser, professor, etc.)
• an honest account your skills, talents, abilities, qualities, etc. Readers can tell when it is not sincere, so choose someone who actually knows you and your capabilities.
• specific examples of how your attributes and accomplishments 

Be sure to give plenty of time to complete the letter before it is due. 

Good luck!

-Allison

Side note: 

The following is a list of attributes (from the National Association of Colleges and Employers) that employers tend to use as basis for selection: ability to communicate, intelligence, self-confidence, willingness to accept responsibility, initiative, leadership, energy level, imagination, flexibility, interpersonal skills, self-knowledge, ability to handle conflict, goal achievement, competitiveness, appropriate vocational skills, direction. 

Just a few things to keep in mind in your day to day!