Letters of recommendation should be obtained from a variety of individuals, both men and women, who are able to speak to your qualifications and character. It is suggested that you obtain letters from individuals who can speak to the following:
1. Your academic aptitude and performance (faculty advisor or another faculty member from whom you have taken a number of courses).
2. Your work ethic and performance (an employer or supervisor of a current or recent job).
3. Your personality and character (someone who has known you over a period of time --home pastor, coach, high school teacher, family friend, youth group advisor).
* Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you have the right to read your recommendations after they have been written. However, there is a place provided on the recommendation form where you can sign, waiving that right. Past experience shows there is very little difference in what a person writes whether the waiver is signed or not.
* Identify 3-5 individuals who you believe can speak positively about your qualifications, experience, or character.
* Ask these people if they can provide a positive recommendation, would be willing to serve as a reference, and will write a letter of recommendation. This should be done at least one month before you would like your file to be complete.
* Provide the references with the following:
-Copy of your resume
-Self-addressed stamped envelope to the Career Development Center
-Recommendation Form (letters of reference on business stationary are appropriate as well; some people prefer not to use the forms)
-Guidelines for Writing Recommendations
* Two or three weeks following your request, contact the Career Development Center to determine if the letters of reference are in your file. It is your responsibility to ensure that your file is complete.
* Write a thank you note to the individuals who have completed a letter of reference.
Provided in the "Writing Recommendations" link is a guide you may print and give to those who will be writing recommendations for you.
