Reference Letter Etiquette by:Jack McGarry
A former associate recently emailed and requested
a reference letter.
Let me preface by saying, I like helping former
coworkers, they are the best source for job and
sales leads. Plus it is just nice to help out
friends and coworkers - call it good karma.
Here is how his request for a reference letter
went:
Hi,
Hope you are good. Say, I am trying to get a new
job at ABC and need a reference letter. Would you
be so kind to put something together for me? You
know, that I worked for you and what sort of job
I did. It would be a big help.
Thanks,
I did not respond to this request for a reference
letter and do not plan to.
Why? Because I am a jerk? Hardly.
Let's ask a few question.
Former co-worker, how long has it been since we
worked together? Spoke last? Seen each other?
What have you been doing since? Been in prison?
Run a Ponzi scheme? Been fired numerous times?
How good of a job did you really do when we last
worked together? Be honest. Do you feel confident
in your past work to request a reference to me?
Rather than criticize, here is a better way to
get a reference letter from a former employer.
First, pick a former coworker you actually knew -
not the supervisor listed on an organization
chart you saw once.
Next, phone them. Letters and email are nice, but
voice time is better. Ask for an appointment.
Better yet, ask them to lunch.
When you speak with your contact, both on the
phone and in person, ask them how they are doing.
Ask if they recall working together.
Tell them truthfully what you want from them - "
Bob, thank you for your time. I am back out
looking at a new position and could really use
your help. Do you think I could include you as a
reference for my next position?".
(Notice - you are not asking for a reference
letter, just a reference!).
Next, tell your contact exactly what you have
been doing since you both last worked together.
Where you have worked, what you have done - tie
in how important your experience the gained while
working together was to what you have done.
If your contact agrees to write you a reference
letter, ask as nicely as possible for an expected
date to receive the letter. "Say Bob, I know you
are busy. I would not expect that letter until
next Tuesday or Wednesday if that helps" is a
good way to state your thoughts.
Once you receive the reference letter, "THANK
YOUR CONTACT" - most people never do this. They
are too busy trying to get a job to remember a
simple thank you.
Finally, offer to return the favor to your
contact is any way possible. Whether it be
through a reference, sales opportunity, or job
opening.
Remember, your former boss, co-workers or
customers have no obligation to provide reference
letters. Also, email may be acceptable for many
forms of business correspondence, it is not
nearly as effective as in person forms of contact.
About the author
Jack McGarry is a technology writer, sales professional and entrepreneur. Besides authoring Marketing Me! Jack authors several other sites and hosts a womens social networking site. Jack's blog is available at
http://marketingme.blogspot.com
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