Tutorial Letter for asking a Reference Letter

1. HOW TO ASK FOR A
LETTER OF
REFERENCE ?
HOW TO ASK FOR AHOW TO ASK FOR A
LETTER OFLETTER OF
REFERENCE ?REFERENCE ?

2. A letter of reference can open many
doors. If someone recommends to you
means that you have done it well in your
previous work and this, for the future
employer, is a very valuable information.AA letterletter ofof reference
reference can open
can open manymany
doorsdoors.. IfIf someone
someone recommends
recommends toto youyou
means
means thatthat youyou havehave donedone itit wellwell inin youryour
previous
previous workwork andand thisthis,, forfor thethe futurefuture
employer
employer,, isis aa veryvery valuable
valuable information
information..

3. INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS
1. If it asked before leaving a work in a company or
leaving the University.
1.1. If it asked before leaving a work in a company orIf it asked before leaving a work in a company or
leaving the University.leaving the University.
1.1. Decide who you want
to ask for a
recommendation or letter of
reference: Someone who
knows you well and who is
familiarized with the work
that you do.
1.1.1.1. Decide who you wantDecide who you want
to ask for ato ask for a
recommendation or letter ofrecommendation or letter of
reference: Someone whoreference: Someone who
knows you well and who isknows you well and who is
familiarized with the workfamiliarized with the work
that you do.that you do.

4. • 1.2. Approach the
person that you have
chosen to write a letter
reference for you.
1.2.1. The better
thing is to ask
him/her personally if
it would be ready to
write to you a
recommendation.
1.2.1. The better
thing is to ask
him/her personally if
it would be ready to
write to you a
recommendation.
1.2.1.1. If the person knows
you well and believes that
you have done a good
work, the response surely
will be affirmative.

5. 1.2.2. Provide suggestions
to him/her about what you
want that the
recommendation
approaches.
1.2.2.1. Remind
him/her the
special projects in
which you were
involved and the
concrete obtained
achievements.
1.2.2.1. Remind
him/her the
special projects in
which you were
involved and the
concrete obtained
achievements.
1.2.2.2. Offer
the details of
your future
plans in order
the reference
can reflect them.
1.2.2.2. Offer
the details of
your future
plans in order
the reference
can reflect them.

6. 2. IF YOU LEFT THE COMPANY2. IF YOU LEFT THE COMPANY
OR THE UNIVERSITY SOMEOR THE UNIVERSITY SOME
YEARS AGOYEARS AGO
2.1. WRITE HIM/HER A LETTER2.1. WRITE HIM/HER A LETTER
ASKING FOR A REFERENCEASKING FOR A REFERENCE
LETTERLETTER

7. In the first paragraph.
1.You must introduce yourself
and inform him/her that you
know each other ( it is possible
that he/she doesn´t remember
you, if you give him/her your
name.
2.Explain why you value his/
her opinion about you and your
competence.
3.Explain the reason of the
letter: that you request a letter
of reference.
In the first paragraph.
1.You must introduce yourself
and inform him/her that you
know each other ( it is possible
that he/she doesn´t remember
you, if you give him/her your
name.
2.Explain why you value his/
her opinion about you and your
competence.
3.Explain the reason of the
letter: that you request a letter
of reference.

8. In the second paragraph, make
clear the position of the work
you are applying for because it
will help him/her to write the
letter.
In the second paragraph, make
clear the position of the work
you are applying for because it
will help him/her to write the
letter.
In the third paragraph,
suggest some key points
that he/she could remark
if he/ she considers so.
1.Choose your most
relevant achievements
for the positions or the
employment you are
applying for.
In the third paragraph,
suggest some key points
that he/she could remark
if he/ she considers so.
1.Choose your most
relevant achievements
for the positions or the
employment you are
applying for.
In the last paragraph,
1.Be grateful for his/ her time
2.Insist that you are really
interested in his/ her letter and that
he/ she is free to add what he/ she
considers suitable.
3.Invite him/her to contact with you
for any doubt. Provide a telephone,
e-mail or address.
In the last paragraph,
1.Be grateful for his/ her time
2.Insist that you are really
interested in his/ her letter and that
he/ she is free to add what he/ she
considers suitable.
3.Invite him/her to contact with you
for any doubt. Provide a telephone,
e-mail or address.

9. REMIND

10. Send the request of the letter ofSend the request of the letter of
reference at least two weeks before thereference at least two weeks before the
time in which you need it.time in which you need it.
DonDon´´tt forget to include the curriculumforget to include the curriculum
vitae and the information leaflet about thevitae and the information leaflet about the
position you are applying for reference,position you are applying for reference,
together with your letter.together with your letter.
When you receive the letter of reference,When you receive the letter of reference,
send a thanksend a thank--you letter.you letter.

11. **This shows gratitude andThis shows gratitude and
professionalismprofessionalism
** It might influence a positive opinionIt might influence a positive opinion
about you if any future employer contactsabout you if any future employer contacts
him/her to ask for some references.him/her to ask for some references.