Why you should ask for a letter of recommendation

Job searching is not an easy path, we all know it. Many people like you are looking for a position similar to your preferences, which is why you must stand out from the rest.

Sometimes, for this, it is not enough to have a good resume. Knowing how to write a good cover letter is important to accompany your CV and also to have a good personal brand, but what about letters of recommendation? Do you know what it is and how it will help you to have them?

A letter of recommendation is the written statement from your company about your skills and work within it. Your personality may be your best asset, as it is also addressed in a letter of this type.

Many job search portals talk about the need for letters of recommendation. This is the case of Adecco: they also explain the reasons why you should request one. We also want to help you do it correctly, so we are going to explain what to take into account when asking for it.

The most important points that should appear in a letter of recommendation are:

• City / country and date on which it is written.
• Name of the worker to whom the letter is written.
• Description of the relationship between the person writing it and the worker.
• Positive aspects about the worker's work (also about their way of being).
• Details of the person writing the letter (i.e., the recommender).

In summary, a letter of recommendation is based on identification, context, recommendation, and closing. Easy, right? But, asking for one might not be so easy! Here are some tips for requesting it so you can show it off in future jobs.

Choose the right person

It's obvious, but don't ask for a letter of recommendation from someone you fought with like cats and dogs during your time at the company. We want to be recommended and for the writing to be sincere. That's why you should make sure that the person you ask for the letter has a good view of you.

Approach a superior, preferably, and have them write from a point of view that is as objective as it is real. It is very important to choose the right person because they will talk about your work and yourself. Above all, it should be someone who deals with you on a daily basis and sees how you face different situations day after day.

Request it via email

The relationship you have with the person you are going to ask for the letter of recommendation is likely to be very trusting, but it is always better to request it via email because, in addition to being a more formal request, you can provide them with the information you consider relevant.

This email should be based on the following points:

• Who you are (not only your name, but also some traits about you).
• Request the possibility of them writing your letter of recommendation.
• Why you need this writing (to access a master's degree, for a new job...).
• Don't forget to thank them for the time they've invested in reading it (and, hopefully, writing it too).
• Attach your CV so they have it on hand.

Do it at the right time

This point is somewhat related to the first one. You have to request the letter of recommendation from the right person and at the right time. What does this mean? When you ask for it, make sure that the relationship you have is still good. You should also request the letter at a neutral time, that is, when they are not thinking of firing you or you are not in a trial period.

As we were saying, requesting a letter of recommendation is important for people to speak well of you (without lying, of course!), since it will be the document that your future employers will read and may rely on.

If they tell you "no"… go for another!

Of course, it can happen, even if it is not usual. You are almost convinced that they are going to write it for you and bam! they say no. What do you do then?

It's not the end of the world, don't worry. I'm sure there are many more people in your work environment with whom you have a good relationship and can write you the letter of recommendation without any problems. Try with other colleagues / superiors until you find the right person.

The most important thing in this type of request is that you have performed your duties as well as you could (or do so from now on, if you have the opportunity) and that your attitude towards any situation is always positive. Don't forget it!

Who knows if your next letter of recommendation will be presented to one of our coworkers? At Aticco, synergies are created between people from totally different worlds and in this way fantastic new projects arise. Ask us about your new coworking space and we will recommend the best option for you or your company.