Please submit this online and bring a hard copy to class on Wednesday, February 26.
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation from a Professor (or Former Employer)
1. When asking for a recommendation, open a request by highlighting for a professor something from his or her class that you enjoyed, or a specific skill that you developed, or particularly memorable class discussions, etc.
2. Tell your instructor specifically which job or internship you will be seeking. If you are applying to several jobs in one field, then specify the type of position, such as entry-level marketing, accounting, or programming.
3. Tell the instructor specifically how what you learned in his or her class is applicable to the job or internship for which you are applying. If you are seeking an internship at NetApp, for example, make sure to describe the specific responsibilities you would have at NetApp if you were hired. Link these responsibilities to specific skills you developed in the class.
For example, in our class, we will analyze a variety of business situations and learn to communicate complex ideas effectively and appropriately to both general and specialized audiences. We will develop skills to communicate in a diverse world. We will analyze print and electronic sources for integrity and content. We will learn the importance of selecting the best medium and format. We will strengthen our grammar and punctuation skills while drafting and revising proposals, blog posts, memos, letters, short and long reports, and oral presentations.
If you were asking me for a recommendation, I would want to know which of these general skills are relevant to the job for which you are applying.
4. Give examples of specific assignments that helped you develop one or more skills required for the job. For example, if the job requires strong analytical skills, you might discuss your analysis of GAP’s challenge to overcome negative publicity when a subcontractor violated GAP’s child labor policy...