Asking for a letter of recommendation can be a tedious, long, and sometimes just plain annoying thing to do. Alas, it is a thing required of those entering the field of TEFL, though not for all jobs. Originally I asked for letters of recommendation for the EPIK program, which requires that you submit two with your application. Now, I have them for future jobs and specifically tailored for TEFL.
First things first, letters of recommendation (to be referred to as "LR" hereon in) are valid for two years. That means, if you are looking for a job at the end of school in a few months, you can jump on getting LR right now. Here are a few tips for asking and getting your LR:
1) Ask the right people.
You can't ask just anyone. LR need to hold weight and show that you can be trusted and useful to a company, and not have that recommendation come from your Mum. It is always best to stick with people higher-up, such as your supervisors, bosses, managing partners, department heads, and so on. This can be difficult because you might not know them very well and LR need to show your skills, positive personality traits, and relevant experience. This means: NETWORKING!!!
I know, it is a terrible word that we who are entering the workforce have to deal with. Is it oft times stressful? Scary? Intimidating? Yes. But it will be worth it. I personally never thought of myself as a networker, if I may employ that as an actual term for one who networks, but I have. I worked as a file clerk in a law firm before I left on an 18-month volunteer mission for my church in England. When I came back, I went straight back into university to finish my last 6 classes. I realized: hum, I really need to get a year-long job after I graduate so I can set myself up for grad school and really deciding what I want to do. I had stayed in contact with the office manager at the law firm and I emailed her and asked if we could meet up for lunch during the Christmas holidays (this was about 4 months before I was set to graduate). During our conversation, I casually slipped in that I was looking to work for a year after my graduation. She perked up and said that the firm might need someone for a year to help catch things up. She talked to the partners and in February, I had a job offer. I was hired to start working a week after graduation (needing to move back to Colorado from Utah) and help out the office staff. I am now 9 months in and it has been a great experience. Is what I do (a legal assistant) something that I want to do the rest of my life? Nope. But it is valuable work experience. It was not only nice to come back to Colorado, but nice to work with most of the same people and integrate myself in with the staff members that had changed since I here the first time. It is crazy to look at the calendar and realize that my time is almost up, but I am grateful that I was able to have a network and be set up for a job before I graduated.
Therefore, NETWORK. It will bless your life.
Now, back to the real reason of this point: get to know the right people. Offer to help out, be willing to learn, showcase your skills, and learn new ones. The higher-ups will notice and appreciate it. They will be willing to write you a letter if you ask for one.
A word to the wise: DO NOT ask co-workers, family members, or friends. These LR will not be taken seriously and can harm your chances of being hired. LR from religious leaders are acceptable, granted that you submit one from someone that you've worked for.
Just be wise.
2) Ask early.
Never wait until the last minute to ask someone for a LR. It is bad form and just plain rude. The people that you ask are busy: they have work duties, personal lives, families. Be courteous and ask a few months in advance of when the letter is needed. Send reminders but don't be pushy. They might not get it to you until the week you need it, but they will be grateful that you gave them advance notice.
3) Give them a list of the traits that the company you are applying to is looking for.
That means, don't have the person write you a letter which highlights your teaching skills if you're applying to be an engineer. LR are crafted not only to highlight your skills, but are specifically directed towards a certain position.
For example, when I asked the teacher who serves as my volunteer supervisor, I told her what I was applying for and what qualities they were looking for. I asked her to highlight my ability to teach, deal with a classroom, and work with multicultural classrooms. This is not being cocky, but helps the person know what they can focus on in the letter.
4) Make sure the referrer includes ALL of his/her contact information.
Just because someone wrote a letter expounding upon all of your good qualities, doesn't mean that the person is going to listen. More often that not, the company to which you're applying will want to follow-up on that letter for two main reasons: 1) to make sure that it is legit, and 2) ask any additional questions or request clarification. It is important that the referrer includes all of their contact information, which includes:
-Name and title
-Email Address
-Phone Number (usually the office or cell)
-Address
It is also highly recommended that the referrer prints the LR on official letterhead and signs it in ink. Not only does this look more legit, it just is professional and good form. The person can mail you the LR (at your expense, if possible) and then email you a copy.
5) Thank the person who wrote the LR.
It takes time and effort to write a LR. It is not something that the person just cranks out, signs, and slaps on a stamp to send it to you. The person whom you ask (a majority of the time) likes you and wants to make sure that they show you in the best light. Send them a thank you: email, call, even a note. I am fond of sending a note in the mail. Who doesn't like to get mail? Be kind and express your gratitude.
As you collect your LR, it is also wise to get one or two more than is required for the job. That way, if something happens, you know that you have a back-up.
Enjoy getting those recommendations!
First things first, letters of recommendation (to be referred to as "LR" hereon in) are valid for two years. That means, if you are looking for a job at the end of school in a few months, you can jump on getting LR right now. Here are a few tips for asking and getting your LR:
1) Ask the right people.
You can't ask just anyone. LR need to hold weight and show that you can be trusted and useful to a company, and not have that recommendation come from your Mum. It is always best to stick with people higher-up, such as your supervisors, bosses, managing partners, department heads, and so on. This can be difficult because you might not know them very well and LR need to show your skills, positive personality traits, and relevant experience. This means: NETWORKING!!!
I know, it is a terrible word that we who are entering the workforce have to deal with. Is it oft times stressful? Scary? Intimidating? Yes. But it will be worth it. I personally never thought of myself as a networker, if I may employ that as an actual term for one who networks, but I have. I worked as a file clerk in a law firm before I left on an 18-month volunteer mission for my church in England. When I came back, I went straight back into university to finish my last 6 classes. I realized: hum, I really need to get a year-long job after I graduate so I can set myself up for grad school and really deciding what I want to do. I had stayed in contact with the office manager at the law firm and I emailed her and asked if we could meet up for lunch during the Christmas holidays (this was about 4 months before I was set to graduate). During our conversation, I casually slipped in that I was looking to work for a year after my graduation. She perked up and said that the firm might need someone for a year to help catch things up. She talked to the partners and in February, I had a job offer. I was hired to start working a week after graduation (needing to move back to Colorado from Utah) and help out the office staff. I am now 9 months in and it has been a great experience. Is what I do (a legal assistant) something that I want to do the rest of my life? Nope. But it is valuable work experience. It was not only nice to come back to Colorado, but nice to work with most of the same people and integrate myself in with the staff members that had changed since I here the first time. It is crazy to look at the calendar and realize that my time is almost up, but I am grateful that I was able to have a network and be set up for a job before I graduated.
Therefore, NETWORK. It will bless your life.
Now, back to the real reason of this point: get to know the right people. Offer to help out, be willing to learn, showcase your skills, and learn new ones. The higher-ups will notice and appreciate it. They will be willing to write you a letter if you ask for one.
A word to the wise: DO NOT ask co-workers, family members, or friends. These LR will not be taken seriously and can harm your chances of being hired. LR from religious leaders are acceptable, granted that you submit one from someone that you've worked for.
Just be wise.
2) Ask early.
Never wait until the last minute to ask someone for a LR. It is bad form and just plain rude. The people that you ask are busy: they have work duties, personal lives, families. Be courteous and ask a few months in advance of when the letter is needed. Send reminders but don't be pushy. They might not get it to you until the week you need it, but they will be grateful that you gave them advance notice.
3) Give them a list of the traits that the company you are applying to is looking for.
That means, don't have the person write you a letter which highlights your teaching skills if you're applying to be an engineer. LR are crafted not only to highlight your skills, but are specifically directed towards a certain position.
For example, when I asked the teacher who serves as my volunteer supervisor, I told her what I was applying for and what qualities they were looking for. I asked her to highlight my ability to teach, deal with a classroom, and work with multicultural classrooms. This is not being cocky, but helps the person know what they can focus on in the letter.
4) Make sure the referrer includes ALL of his/her contact information.
Just because someone wrote a letter expounding upon all of your good qualities, doesn't mean that the person is going to listen. More often that not, the company to which you're applying will want to follow-up on that letter for two main reasons: 1) to make sure that it is legit, and 2) ask any additional questions or request clarification. It is important that the referrer includes all of their contact information, which includes:
-Name and title
-Email Address
-Phone Number (usually the office or cell)
-Address
It is also highly recommended that the referrer prints the LR on official letterhead and signs it in ink. Not only does this look more legit, it just is professional and good form. The person can mail you the LR (at your expense, if possible) and then email you a copy.
5) Thank the person who wrote the LR.
It takes time and effort to write a LR. It is not something that the person just cranks out, signs, and slaps on a stamp to send it to you. The person whom you ask (a majority of the time) likes you and wants to make sure that they show you in the best light. Send them a thank you: email, call, even a note. I am fond of sending a note in the mail. Who doesn't like to get mail? Be kind and express your gratitude.
As you collect your LR, it is also wise to get one or two more than is required for the job. That way, if something happens, you know that you have a back-up.
Enjoy getting those recommendations!
