Charles Langston:Here's how to ask for a letter of recommendation (and actually get a good one.)

Before entering your dream job or Charles Langstongetting into the school you’ve always wished for, you may be asked to provide a (or a few) letters of recommendation. 

A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a way for employers or admissions to learn about you from an outside perspective, such as from a teacher, coach, boss, or someone that knows a lot about you and your character. 

These letters of recommendation are supposed to outline what makes you unique and describe the type of person you are, including the things you are good at and enjoy doing. 

While it may feel intimidating to ask someone to brag about you, there are a few ways that you can go about it and be successful. Continue reading for tips and tricks on how and who to ask for a letter of recommendation.  

How to ask for a letter of recommendation? 

Before diving right into the actual request, there are some things that you can do to prepare yourself and the person you are asking.

Step 1: Figure out the best person(s) to write your letter

Carefully think about those in your life that know the most about you and your character. You can’t ask any family members for a letter of recommendation, so think of those that know you well and can speak to your character and education.

Outside of family friends, letters from coaches that you worked closely with, a manager or boss that you spent a lot of time with, or a professor or teacher that saw the time and effort you put into your schoolwork. 

When choosing who to ask, don’t focus too much on the title of the person you're considering asking. While you may know someone who is a top professor at Harvard, if they don’t know much about you, it won’t help you at all. 

Additionally, it is best to ask for your letter in advance. Three to four weeks before the letter is due is when you should ask for it, and never less than two weeks. Those you ask have their busy schedules and need time to write. Plus, if you ask early, it shows that you care about what you are applying for.

Step 2: Provide your resume upon requesting a letter

While the person you ask probably knows a lot about you, they aren’t going to know exact details, such as your accumulative GPA or how long you spent at a job. 

Providing a resume will help your recommender show off your personal accomplishments, alongside their feelings for you. Coursera recommended including this information:

• Courses you’ve taken with this teacher and the grade you received if asking from a school official 
• A couple of your top qualities and attributes, along with examples of how you have demonstrated them
• Overall GPA, testing scores, top academic accomplishments and awards
• Extracurricular activities or volunteer work
• Work experience and duties held
• A short section explaining your goals for the position or program you are applying for

Step 3: Ask the person or people you have chosen in person

It is always best to ask someone for a favor in person because it shows that you care. When you ask for a letter of recommendation, explain why you are wanting this position and your goals so that they have a better idea of what you are applying for. 

Additionally, tell the person you are asking why you chose them, whether that be you admire their work or care about their opinion. This will show the recommender you are taking this process seriously while throwing in a compliment. 

Step 4: Follow up and say thank you

A week or two before the letter is due, check in with your recommender to see if they need any additional information from you. If they don’t need any information, it might be a good reminder for them in case they have not started yet.

You can also give an additional thank you when checking in because you can never say thank you enough. Once they give you the letter of recommendation, you should write a handwritten thank you letter to the recommender.

Not only is it a common courtesy to thank someone for the favor they did for you, but it will show the writer that you are thankful and it will keep you in their good graces for other future requests. 

Just curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How long does alcohol stay in your system?" to "How did Elvis die?" to "What to bring to a job interview?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you