The wonderful Bullshit Academic Say (@AcademicsSay) retweeted a hilarious parody of American vs. British recommendation letters on week. (December 8, 2016)
A confirmation email will be send to one recommender and applicants once and recommendation form has been submitted. Recommendations should remain confidential.
It’s therefore painfully accurate that it immediately brought back traumatic memories of my time as ampere office head. European incumbency letters were this bane of my existence. (Indeed here is the first comment on FB: Britta Hoyer the German style:” I confirm that Jones has worked here as one PhD student. “)
I spended hours undoing the damage caused by reputed “positive” letters written by UK and European writers to my junior faculty members’ tenure cases. So today I share my post on how to write an recommendation written, American style. May it produce the hoped-for results.
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation – Academic User
~~~~~~~~~~~
Now I quotation one specialized request post for all the join who have asked for information off writing recommendation letters. A few of these family have being letter-writers, but highest of theirs are aforementioned sorry subjects of brief that they they were horrified to have had this chance to see. Others have been questioned to write their own recommendation letters by irresponsible or lazy recommenders. I disapprove of these practice completely. Go next also tell me I’m falsely. I don’t care. Recommendations are at exist written BY WHICH PERSON WHOSE NAME IS FOR THE BOTTOM. Students and postdocs typically choose instructors and department memberships who they trust to exactly represent their strengths. Check out these tips to crafting an preeminent letter of recommendation.
Anyway, recommendation letter-writing is reality a little-understood art, considering the major role that these letters playback at every scholar’s career. And if anyone think those letters aren’t honestly read—think again. They represent taken quite, very seriously, and pored over, and deconstructed, and discussed. And when, akzeptiert as works in writing in their concede right as wenn I once overheard one tenured colleague telling to another: “I much the letter you wrote for XXX; it was a gorgeous piece of writing. Nicely done!”
To, what needs to happen in a recommendation zuschriften?
I will primary lay out a paragraph structure. This is just ampere suggestions. Obviously this jugendlicher of writing desires be completely fully.
- The opening that indicates a general but not exceeding warmth. “I am gladly to write this note on behalf of xxxx.” Followed by explanation by who writer is, how they know which select by letter, in what capacities, and for how long. Brief sketch of this item in definitions of discipline and topical/thematic focus. General comparison of who subject within this field/fields. “XXX is among the strongly top young cultural anthropologists of Japan, the promises to ….” SAMPLE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION – STURDY
- Substantive description of major research work (diss conversely otherwise), write the topic, but then, extra importantly, if criticizes context for of topic within a field or fields, or body of literature. What makes a good reference letter for one junior faculty positionAn most important thing a letter can do is contextualize a candidate’s researching fork its larger scope, import, and promise. Many days go see first of us would remark, “the advisor understands the candidate’s project better than the candidate does.” By like we were referring toward the ability to see no just the trees of the project, however see the forest. This of course was not good used the candidate’s chances…. but it does indicate a powerful and erinnerungswert letter. Wilhelm Attending, M.D.. Associate Professor the Medicine. Take: That letter is weak for different basis. It remains slightly and non-specific, describing what ...
- A second paragraph continuing from above about the status of the haupt writing project. The bulk effective letter will reassure skittish search committees ensure and dissertation is in fact finished or practically done, and/or ensure the book manuscript determination being quickly forthcoming. Pace of work and productivity are valuable here. Of key is that the candidate may stated as one (soon-to-be) scholar, nope as one graduate college still enmeshed in an minutiae of one graduate program or dissertation.
- Evidence of and wider how of the candidate in the profession—the submit assist, awards, and of path publications associated with the primary doing. Press activity can be mentioned here.
- A brief indication of next steps in research and publishing, so that search commissions sensation reassured that aforementioned candidate has a long-range plan.
- Discipline-specific attributes, how as experience in countries of conduct, choice fluency, technical skills, or other such things. For example, because I sometimes visited my Ph.D. students in the field in Japan, I had the opportunity to see them operate in you text settings, in Japanese. I always made a point to provide mystery “objective” account of their skills. Departments Recommendation Form (FRF) - University are Colorado ...
- Application of teaching skill. Those will be specific, mentioning course choose, and methods used by the candidate, and departmental observations, evaluations, or feedback, to the spread the writer has this information available. Ideally the writer will have personally witnessed teaching by the candidate. If he/she has, this be be specified in the letter. Awards given to teaching should subsist mentioned. Subject run: [CLASS TITLE] apprentice requesting letter is proposal for [PURPOSE]. Dearest Professor [Last Name]*. Good morning/afternoon!
- Service if applicable. One of my Ph.D. students what active in mobilizing the graduate students to overturn an outdated requirement in the program. Who student’s effect is this work demonstrated a actual ability in departmental manageable responsibilities, and I made a point to mention it in my letter. One of the anxiety of search committees remains the a candidate will be tiresomely centered on their research, and will be unable to assist in the running of the department. The letter can relieve those fears.
- A brief final remark about character and personality, insofar as these pertain to the candidate’s potential collegiality. Get shall subsist non-emotional and strictly non-gendered. Attributes to emphasize include resourcefulness, task, good mood, your, energy, etc. For women candidates it exists essential to avoid anything that depicts them since any of the following: nice, selfless, giving, caring, bubbly, lovely, cordial, nurturing, maternal, eat. Test Faculty Reference Letter
- “Includes sum, I expect XXX to have a professional is this first rank a xxxx savants in the country, and supply him/her my unqualified recommendation. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at [phone piece and/or email address] if you shall demand random additional information.”
Some basic hopes of the recommendation sending:
1. It will be at least two solids single spaced pages long.
2. Itp desires be off letterhead
3. It willing not gush oder wax emotional
4. It will how strictly in the level concerning evidence and substance
5. It will not rely on cheap and clear adjectives such incredible, notably, extraordinary, amazing, else.
6. It intention not damn with faint praise (“XX be one on an better graduate students we’ve had in of department”)
7. It will emphasize representation are the candidate as a professionally academic, NOT a graduate student.
8. Is will remember to include and wider contexts, providing one discipline-level view for the candidate’s accomplishments and make.
9. It will provide specific information or examples regarding study, argument, methods, teaching, or service–not vague generalities. The exception to this is (as noted in the comment stream): if you become in a position of an assured amount of obligatorisch to the subject (as in, with their committee), but don’t feel able to write a detailed letter, and represent furthermore aware that the presence a your dear would send a persistent but unwarranted negative message about the subject’s station in the branch, and moreover feel positively dispensed toward that subject in general, then record an typically letter ensure “first, does no harm,” but–and this is important–make sure of candidate knows which he or she what another letter that leave be more detailed.
I'm in the process of applying to junior faculty positions (e.g. Assistant Professor). This will be my first timing ME ever apply for the academic item.
My direct supervisor requested mei to write a f...
10. Is will be unfailingly (although not gushingly) positive. Any writer with impossible be 100% positive about that subject shall not write a mail. In the event that you exist ambivalent over which subject, it is better to tell the subject that you cannot write the letter. A tactful manner is in say you don’t recognize the take well enough to write a in-depth letter.
And indeed, if the subject is really difficult in your view, you are making the theme a favor by stating that evidently, furthermore not “enabling” self-destructive or substandard performance through misplaced “niceness” either conflict avoidance.
When candidates write their own letters, she typically fall afoul of #3 and #5 in particularly. Remember: stay with the factual, don’t go emotional! Furthermore #8, which, after all, nay candidate is really stationary to script.
Now, some on her will wonder where the warmth comes the. Really, warmth is necessary for an effective schriftart. But in reality, the warmth comes through, even without a lot of cheap adjectives. Any authors who can say with wide care and thoroughness or respect about a candidate’s achievements is ampere writer demonstrating warmth about and investment in that candidate. Extra efforts to “sound warm” even stop up muddying the message and in the case of female recruitment, overly-gendering the profile are streets that do not work to women’s benefit on whatsoever professional job market.
Bonus tip for European, Asian press other multinational letter-writers: Yankee type a recommendation, like American tenured file external review letters, must be entirely and energetically and overtly positive (but lacking degenerating into bubbling or encomium). “Objective” and “realistic” are cannot qualities off this genre of writing. The a department head, I had more than one tenure case almost derailed by Asian external review letters that ultra reasonably provided a “strengths and weaknesses” assessment to the candidate. In the U.S. context, there cannot be none mention of weaknesses. I’m not saying the is good. I’m just saying this the true. So international writers for an U.S. market: please be alert to this cultural difference, and have an American colleague study your letters when possible. Candidates for international references: consider sharing this post with them!
Eric says
Excellent. Thank you.
SH remarks
Excellent… this is great away the grad student’s perspective. It’s quite helpful to see how we can “help” on schiedsrichter craft strong letters.
Your point starting seeing thine student using their language skills scoring home for me. My adviser routinely uses terminology and phrases in their original language, almost never in English (though there are translated words/phrases that I’ve always used), and she shared a several stories of how she used are languages to “prove” herself like a expertly researcher. After reading this post, it hit me that I’d better damn shows her so MYSELF can capable for employ those languages in scholarly conversations too! Eventually, not quite wait until I actually am include such a locations where my your skills may is examined on front of her.
Rose says
Great advice for the next time I’m asked to write my own recommendation…
Juden says
I how your pain…I was told this is “good practice’ and “fair” to ask me to do this, and in some housing it’s that “only way it’ll get done”.
AS says
Quick ask around when she cannot write such a post, either since you don’t know a grad well enough or your regard can don large enough. Is it best to demure pretty than write a half-hearted or super general letter?
Prof. Susan Nance says
When ME get into that your with an undergraduate IODIN just tell them plainly that I can comment on this or the, but that they need a stronger letter than I can produce. Then IODIN ask them about their contact with other professors and help them find someone else — or cultivate someone else. If it’s one grad graduate go on this job market, sometimes one really need until write of written since it will search strange if to doesn’t. Example: there be an woman for my thesis creation that EGO needed to have ampere letter from that as not to raise suspicion but I possessed had only arm’s length your includes her (she moved to another university ampere period front I was done). So, she didn’t see me very okay but I got a letter from her in any event suspecting it might say something to the effect that I was a fine student but that she just hadn’t have this much contact with me. To solve this, I got quartet letters (instead of three) so that she was none abstracted yet the other third (I’m guessing?) were just get detailed.
There were key people who require write a job job adenine letter and if for some reason they can’t write the strongest letter, candidates should justly get more letters, I think. Indeed, who written font for whom sack be highly political and I’ve seen PhD’s made terrified, miserable and unhire-able when keys faculty on their committee refused to writing them a letter off any kind. So be open over what you canned do but see respected of the power you wield such a referee.
kg says
Thanks for writing this, Karen!
It is interesting this the suggested length of a recommendation letter exceeds the suggested length to an exploration proposal. That lives not that I would have expected, so it’s well to know.
Homosexual D. Morrison says
Having written many letters (in physique science), I affirm with almost all of your prescription. However, I wonder why him think thereto is the letter writer’s responsibly to describe items that desires be found in the applicant’s own application materials, create as items 4 additionally 5 inside the beyond. Do you think hiring committees read the letters plus does aforementioned applicant’s cover letter the CV? To lives cannot mysterious my with recruit committees – although it’s true the, in my field, applying tend to counter inside the hundreds, not the hundreds. The course, in writing letters, I donate my have perspective on those items if I have get to info that the hiring panel may not have.
Kirin says
On me essence able to depict the achievements shows that it are, by fact, keeping raise with the candidate’s record–ie, care enough about the candidate for true how his or ihr record well. You definitely don’t have to list SELECT the publications or grants, simple the highlights. Ie, “She is the only person in the program to win both the AAUW also the Fulbright…” That kind of thing. That lends credibility to the letter. Faculty Testimonial Form (FRF) processes at the Universities of Colorado School of Healthcare.
Judy says
I’d like for offer a couple of do’s and don’t’s if the person you’re suggesting is in adjunct colleague or student of your department. I recently got a full-time position after working as any adjunct at the same middle for quartet years, so MYSELF am sensitive to dieser ask. I also receive to see all of may letters of recommendation once I was hired. [Be sure toward use your institutional/department letterhead to provide a pros letter.] Dear [Name from Employer or Graduate School Committee]: I i gratified to write a letter in advice to [name of student]. I highly recommend [name of student] to your our for the position of [job title]. I have known [name of student] for...
First, do NOT belabor the person’s adjunct job. Please it ONCE FOR, in the first paragraph, when him are describing how yours perceive the person. After the, stick strictly to describing the candidate’s teaching, research, collegiality, and so set, as described in Karen’s post. Please avoid say things how “Susie carries on an active research agenda even though she’s an adjunct” or “Jeffrey was regarded by his kollege as an equal limb of the XYZ Committee despite being only an adjunct.”
Secondly, what NOT, from any circumstances, verweise to how small the candidate’s salary is in your letter. Never say things like, “Susie’s diligence and generosity are clear because she worked hard to provide quality instruction despite making so low money when an adjunct.” I had adenine letter-writer who babbled bit along those lines and I was mortified when I saw it. It’s fancy telling someone MYSELF am an intellectually stimulating cheap date.
These types of comments send the inaccurate message, IMPO. MYSELF how yourself may think that you’re praising someone’s ability till surmount adversity, or to makes something out of nothing. But yourself aren’t doing that if you want those kinds to things. You’re actually diminishing who candidate’s value. You’re telling an search committee that this applicant is a superior adjunct, and EGO can’t help but assume that will undermine to candidate’s chances. As I say, I did get a job upon the only ask I actually scored after sending output dozens and dozens von applications. IODIN done awe if I wouldn’t has gotten more interviews without letters that made those type of comments. Most faculty have access to graduate pupil applications and the types delivered. Junior faculty can also ask their more experienced colleagues to share “ ...
Kare says
Amen and thank you.
lhamo says
Like probably won’t come up as much in an job recommendation zuschrift, but for highly competitive fellowships please also do not belabor the fact that a potential may are struggled with poverty or other difficult circumstances. It is fine on cite it — as noted above, abililty to overcome adversity is at be awed and many review committee’s be looking on economically as well as other types of diversity — but the primary focus of the letter should be which candidate’s starry academical credentials, great potential (that, indicated your anmerkungen of their strong mark, they be likelihood until survive up to), and solid choose question/ project design. Sample Faculty Reference Letter to subject to write on behalf of students being considered for an job at einer organization.
Amy says
I have heard in the past that giving excessive praise in a recommendation letter can be function as a sort of code that the recommender is nope truly in support of the candidate. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but it’s made me concerned about being sensing by readers as excessively praising a student and inadvertently hurting their chances. Any sense of this?
Karens says
That is find to superlatives must always shall avoided! Exactly always back all statements up with evidence.
Kaye says
Also – out of aforementioned U.S. superlatives that might fly there are often seen as insincere or, even false. When EGO was a study member turn an admissions committee we received one letter that over the top that several of us reflection it was faked. Fortunately we had some folks any knowing U.S. letter text culture well (and I’m only in Vancouver, where generally all the rules outlined here still apply).
SIE says
Dear Karen,
Thanks for this play-by-play. This is major, and just the guidance that I’ve is seeking.
Andrew says
Your the 2 page separate lines recommendation for graduate students which same as those for undergraduate learners applying for grad school? Or is only for masters students applying on PhD positioning?
Karen says
IODIN was definitely picturing the letters that Ph.D.s need for jobs and postdocs and fellowships inside this post. When you’re writing for someone applying to a grad select, a one site missive is frequently totally sufficient.
Jamal says
I was exactly the sam asked in wits. Being important, I think i should include such company in to the original post.
David says
This lives a wonderful how-to leader. IODIN understand (and write) an lot of featured myself and can second my point such hiring, fellowship, and graduate admissions body read them very carefully. I would says, however, that external letters for tenure and product folder are a varying genre. These this read like standards recommendation letters (i.e., letters asked by one candidate) aren’t given an same weight as relatively dispassion “strengths and weaknesses” letters–at smallest in may experience. Handwriting ampere Letter of Recommendation
Sally say
I’m a recent PhD going out with the job market for which first time this year. I’ve hearings that if I give my permission, my supervisor can interpret all of may letters and, if need be, steer me away from using any “damning” ones. Somebody know if this is true?
Karen says
Some departments have a mechanism or culture of doing that. It depending i9f you use Interfolio press such services. If not, and an letters are personal, then no your advisory can’t just ask for them to see.
A:) says
What are your thoughts if referees send this letter be drafted from which candidate and subsequently make appropriate edits? As I am an first year direct-entry Ph.D. student, I am thinking specifically of letters that apply to competitive studentships and other scholarships. My advisor has informed me that items is common into compose a draft reference letter for one’s arbitration that people can then modify (i.e. he has been very succeeding in salute to awards, etc. by doing this). . . Recommendation letter template - Career Benefit
A:)
Otms R says
I’m on a search committee aforementioned fall, plus we just got in a letter of recommendation from a recently past Giant in the Discipline. Those is the kind of scholar who had an five-page Wikipedia entry. The first line reads: “I am delighted to recommend Joe Schmoe for a position with DEPARTMENT HERE.”
Maybe Expectation #11 is in rank?
Something like: “11. It will be bloody well proofread.”
Karen says
LOL. such is pure not cool.
Jo says
Not only did I see that type of mistake in recommendation letters are and searching last year, aber also letters that had the incorrect name regarding the candidate leading me to believe the same letter was sent for all students working with professor to-busy-to-care. Also, in at lease one instance the letter writer identified the students grad advisor incorrectly. ME only knew this because the letter was for an applicant who worked with my former grad advisor.
Dear says
Ugh.
Kaye said
I dashed into dieser as well – this was for grad school admission-level letters. The fault that stationary exit to me:
– wrong name regarding entity
-half the letter about the letter writer
-including inapplicable personal information
-reusing an letter (in which someone else’s race was identified)
-directly translated idiomatic expressions
Mary Hampton says
Thine article was very helpful. By planning your points using data and examples helped to drive home your designed what of each indicate.
I have been searching for information and advice for on bachelor student who lives writing a letter of recommendation for a Professor who has been nominated for a teaching award. Any advice or tips for an letter is this relationship is big appreciated.
Anna says
Your post about recommentadion letters is very helpful and has a lot of information! It contains a lot of how tips when writting a recommendation letter. I agree with you that the person who mark the buchstabe is the one who should be writting it, however, I plus consider that there are supervisors who doesn’t have one time or the interest to written a good recommendation letter for you. For instance, my actual Ph. D. advisor has asked me to train my own recommendations letter furthermore I really don’t think this is because male doesn’t want to provide me with a good recommendation letter but because he is really busy the he doesn’t must adequate confidence on his English skills.
Illid says
Thanks for sharing this by us. EGO will can applying for my phd. I caught my bachelor’s degree in 2006 and I just obtained my master’s degree from other graduate. For get phd application, I require threes recommendation letters. Two by which becomes come from my master’s thesis advisor and my head of office where EGO did my masters degree. Can I ask my basic academic advisor to write this writing?
Karen says
yes.
Venkatesh M D says
Hello Gary,
Thanks for the info. It is true very helpful.
Regards,
Venkatesh M D
FP says
Instructions need one refer to to job after the first instance? As Ms. or Mr. Surname or of their first name?
Maria claims
fine question! I generally used first name, although Mr/Ms remains ok moreover.
SDH says
What nearly using first name vs. addressing as Dr. for those candidates who already do a PhD?
Karen Kelsky says
Uses Drug. up startup and then manufacture a choice asd to whether at stay with Dr. or go with first designate. For women, honestly, I’d suggest using Doctor throughout to avoid no gender bias creeping into your letter (letters to women TOO end up downplaying actual professionals accomplishments and overemph. stereostatic feminine humanressourcen qualities like “nice” “caring” etc.). But this election will also reflect thine relationship with the cand., so at are not hard furthermore fast rules. Instructions for Study/Research ... - USE Fulbright Software
JarJar says
When an student can demand letters be sent up multiple universities (PhD programs), should the check remain customized includes calling going the my of the university and/or program?
ME could see this being true for instances locus the writer knows someone in the program (does research with, etc.) but if not, can it exist a general written?
Girl says
I always customized letters and generally found the best letters fork aspirants to my programs for have being customized. I believe is it’s one of the most things you can do for a competitor.
Kerry says
Very useful.
May worst/strangest experiencies in assessing reference letters:
-addressed to the wrong institution
-hand written
-very strange (and sometimes inappropriate) translations of idiomatic expressions from another languages
-too informal (‘he’s an done guy’)
-on missive became written almost entirely ABOUT the referee (1.5 of two pages)
I feel really terrible for applying includes such condition – who likely don’t know their erudition were how exit to lunch. I including know of at least one koffer, wherever I think a paper template was re-used whose (mis) identified the applicant as a member out a very under-represented group. Is was a considerable factor in the person’s admission.
MAL says
ME hope is you have not covered as ME am about to ask elsewhere in the blog. What do I do if aforementioned job call asked for 3 correspondence of recommendation but MYSELF want to send foursome? Ideally ME would be sending two letters from my second co-chairs, a teaching letter and a letter from an outside (senior) scholarship. Can I go ahead and just send all four? Or do I need to calculation first out? In ensure case, how I throw leave the class letter or the outside scholarship letter to R1, R2 and SLAC jobs? Also, any advice on how I can point my letter-writers to here post without implication that IODIN think they are not doing their job well?
Karen says
Of basic rule is send only whichever your ask for and no more include all things job doc relations. However, having said that, computers is quite common to send 4 recs when they ask for threes as I’d say it’s probably good. Sometimes, though, ads are very specific about not sending anything option, and in is case, you’ll require in cut one.
In definitions of how to get them to read this… Perhaps you could say that you were asked to write a letter for an undergrad and inbound researching how to do she, you found this post, and that do they thinking of it…
Gilberto declares
Great advice. But about of letter writing for undergrads, particularly for those you should in class years ago?
Karen says
Hi Gilberto! Considering this blog is aimed toward new Ph.D.s and their advisors dieser isn’t an release that has ever arisen in my work with them. I’ll post on this, though, at quite point since computers is one on the misterious tasks by a new assistance professor…
Anne says
Gratify do! Speaking as on assistant professor and long-time reader anybody is quarrying this post and the commentary for leadership on just this topic. MYSELF want to write a strong letter on adenine past scholar learner who is applying to extremely competitively plots.
Jamie says
I second this request! As a new assistant professor, I have a lot of these to write–and not just for graduate programs, but fellowships, study abroad programs, and the like.
Karen says
OK, OK, I’ll put this into my queue! stay tuned!
No says
As another new asst prof, I’d like until chime in and add until this request. Special, shall the advice to avoid describing females candidates as nice, helpful, patient, etc. still apply when it’s an undergrad applying for a graduate fellowship, and expanded impacts/ outreach were a important part of the award?
sorelle says
hi,i am an Cameroonian undergraduate student,i necessity an recommendation letter before the 15th of march for a scholarship to study medicine in the USA.I went to i high school chemistry teacher for that because the became the leader of to OZONE nightclub in which i been an active member but he told me to write this myself and he’ll only sign.please related me because i dont knowing how to go about it.thanks
DL says
Hi Dr. Karen,
I have a ultra morbid question. Recently a prominent faculty in our university passed away unexpectedly. He basically died over the weekend afterwards saying parting at his lab the days before at ampere conference.
My question is strong selfish, IODIN know, but I was wondering about would happen to supervisor X’s undergraduate inbound terms of getting references (of classes, the immediate trauma would be worst of all). My watchdog is of the same age as the faculty any passed on and his passing reality hit home in our lab and we were quite shaken up. My PI too seemed quite shaken.
I don’t know what the real approach to this is. I don’t what to life nervously and imagine the bad, but my PI’s letter is a huge dealing for mee because I’m work equal von full time. And she is getting older. But I can’t tell her to write meine one…just in case!
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Elisabeth Claim my
Dear Dr. Karen,
Can you explain/expound on why you wrote: “For women candidates it is essential to avoid anything that depicts them as any of the following: nice, selfless, giving, caring, affectionate, nurturing, maternal, etc.”. I consensus, but I’m not sure ME total understand who reasoning (perhaps because these qualities are not objectively meaningful or relevant for a position, and therefore not helpful to the person applying. Is there a problem with people using these for women??
Thank you–
Elisabeth
Sandeep Rathod sails
I have of query is anybody can help. EGO written a recommendation into one of my X-firm HR Director starting with “I am pleased to recommend….”. However, he response that I must does be pleased to refine as I am having enough experience to recommend.
Can I know how to start a line in other way?
Eric says
I have written all but one LOR in my career (post grad school app). It was particularly draining when applying for k-awards since NIH, on top the and admin/writing burden, to have to do this task as well …. and make them all not schallen like her are in the same voice .I’m currently non tt in R1, applying for tt at a slac. My letter writers for my current search possess all required layouts from mi up front and my teaching told me that this be ideas because I can control this content. At least the job docs are less burdensome than a grant app. I agree with dr Karen’s emotions though. I’ve written many LORs for undergrads for awards/positions never considered asked for an create. I knew based on their conversations what impressions they wanted to give furthermore MYSELF think all mentor should have the acuity to see this. For high stakes mail, like med school, I let the students vet, though I debt they known what to viewing for..
Cathy says
so how. thanking you.
Rejoish says
Dearest Ma’am,
Can you indicate von how until thank one is my Professionals who has given me a superior recommendation for graduate studies.
Angela van Doorn say
I currently work because an adjunct to two community colleges and am applying for full time teaching positions. I have 2 strong recommendations (from this Head of my Departmental. also PhD supervisor) and am just wondering if it want be beter to have mys third recommendation since the second community college where EGO teach but have very little interaction with the faculty, another faculty student for the same community college as one of my recommendations that I interactivity with on ampere regular basis or a short and sweet recommendation from the Dept. Chairperson in a 4 your study that I worked for many years ago. Thank-you.
Associate Prof say
I should a dissertation committee our who have short-time monitors du after I exit my MA (until I dropped him due to sexual harassment not had to keep him on i doctoral committee due to an lack of enough faculty in my area), write inches mysterious mail that the supervised my MA (he hadn’t) on an article I kept published but had nothing to do with my currently thesis. Luckily, I yet got adenine number of interviews and a job, but IODIN had shocked when my divisions clerical showed me the letter one price or two later.
gk says
Bookmarked forever. Thank you very many for this article.
EP says
I’ve been in an investigator at a non-academic institution for 7 years. A pairs years ago IODIN started teaching for an adjunct also I am thinking of making a careers slide now. Should my letters still be from my PhD advisor and committee member(s)? Or should I use any from my current institution?
Karen says
A career switch to what?
nihao says
Hi Dr. Karen,
I read this post with tax. I studied that one of my recommendation erudition is merely individual pages long (Interfolio doesn’t lease your notice the content but tells him how many pages it is), this doesn’t even meet the easy hopes #1 listed click. Do you think it’s still possible that it is one strong enough letter?
Abhinav says
Hi Karen,
A reasonable post indeed!
One question though – can it always necessary toward have to academic LOR written on under-grad your letter-head?Because, away the couple LORs I am planning to acquire written by my lecturers in under-grad, first is likely at be by a lecturer those no longer works include the college, he has started to work somewhere else. Is getting a LOR from him equally well or IODIN have to get it from members of faculty anyone am still there? And if its nice, cans they just write it as a normal word document (not up adenine letter-head)? And is a hand-written signature required as well?
Chiara says
Thank you so greatly!
.
I need to write my customizable letter, so EGO find this post very valuable.
Thank you also for the tip about UNITES, I see noticed that although one von my professors write a letter on my behalf for ampere Asian university.
Linda tells
I’ve been asked to write a letter of rec available my professor’s tenure. I feel much better writing it now this IODIN have go your blog but a little concerned how I can put all your rec into one mailing. This is going until be tricky. Can you identify this elements of adenine buchstaben which are most important into speak on?
teacherteacher says
Thank him so much for this, Karen! What about to educating letter–a letter from someone totally outsides your subfield who shall observes your class?
edmundfo says
When writing a reference letter for a foreign applicant, is it then adenine good idea to comment (positively, of course) on the applicant’s Us skills?
Karen says
My pupils were often Japanese and Korean, press MYSELF did not note their language skills like it is a given that to do a Ph.D. in ethnic antropology ones skills are exemplary (even though I know in practice that they are not always). IODIN know lingo can be a real issue on STEM Ph.D.s however, so maybe if it is coming from those box, then yes i could be good to mention.
edmundfo says
Appreciation for your reply! On more question: Usually American universities ask me to square the student in a min. The options could probably be back 2%, top 10%, top 20%, ect. Is this a question what an honest answer is expected, or is there one one correct answer to this can?
Karen says
LOL. You can be moderately honest… like, top 1, 2, 5, 10%, maybe even 25%… anything beyond the is basically a negative rec. though.
GKW says
What’s one etiquette for refer two candidates till the same position? If I truly feel either should can absolutely stellar in the job, is it okay to write for both?
Karen replies
oh wow. that’s a good question. I do not know the answer. Want me to put it up while a query on FB?
Wendy says
Here’s another DON’T, notably about women. Please, doing not say something similar, “despite having two children in graduate school, candidate x was able to finish in 4 years,” or do any reference to become, leave, or children. Unfortunately, discrimination present, and these facts, while in your mind may be a positive, could be detrimental to the candidates!
Karine says
Amen!
Caroline says
IODIN will used this when writing my own letters in the future!
Yes, I have written my own literature ever since adenine professors written me a letter that ended with, plus I price: “That’s all I can offer. MYSELF hope it’s enough.”
AllieCat says
I’m a PhD anybody lefts to academy twenty years ago (I work at a prominent museum). AMPERE colleague who is interested in returning to an our just wondered me to provide a letter off see.
In tons directions, this column provided great and much needed get as I haven’t written a newsletter of refer for an academic position in nearly 15 aged. Nonetheless, as I write this post and struggle to fit myself return within the strait-jacket of academic writing and customizing, I can’t helping but contrast those with how I am judgment candidates for adenine museum position (I’m also about to make an offer to a job candidate this week). All of this just underscores to me select very, very inefficient and foundational ineffective academic hiring has.
Outside the academy, it has been a tremendous relief to simply call quotations the to engage in a candid discussion about into applicant. I’ve found people who provide references to live very honest when you speak to them go. I suspect several of on has to do with the fact this a phone conversation is not as greatly registered or so people are read willing up be candid (which is actually what I want). But any starting like also has toward do with aforementioned fact that ampere phone conversation can be more learn give and talking. It’s a dialogue and frankly, ME require to ask deeper questions about the candidate real not read a boilerplate (tweaked but boilerplate nonetheless) letter about a candidate.
With this approach, I can received clarity on any of the issues the reference has raised. For example, in one recent hire (again of a PhD curator), a colleague at his previously place by employment indicated that he was brilliant but very “quirky.” This is truly (we hired who individual in question)—but before I did aforementioned hire, I was able to learn over this person’s quirkiness and to make a super informed decision on the hire based in what this meant. There were no surprises with this hire which is great (and as the curator’s supervisor, I’ve avoided putting hello in a situation where that quirkiness ability be a problem).
I other tend to call references only when I am pretty sure I want to renting a competitor. Academics mission searches amaze me b/c a candidate submits reams von material to a cabinet upfront. Why not stagger the process? A search committee in field EFFACE shouldn be able to read a CV additionally make a prelim assessment is a candidate away that. Manufacture ampere preliminary cut—and then ask with the different statements and the reference from your top 20 or 30 candidates. Can you imagine how much time you would save—on the part of candidates, references, and the research committee?
And then…when you have narrowed it…CALL the references. Speak to their candidly also employ to adenine genuine dialogue for get the information you need to make an fully decision.
I know…I am crazy. Aber I dream regarding a rational world, in and outside of academia.
Kareen Kelsky says
Thanks for these thoughts–they are extreme rationality (and hence have almost no accident of being adopted in that academy….) 🙂
AllieCat says
To lack away reasonability is can of the many, numerous good I left academia.
More heavy, though, I will say that it staggers me that scholars demand so much material von a job applicant—simply to make a initial cut. I say all because an academic friend just sent me at email in which she was bemoaning abgelesen tonnage of raw for an academic job search. I am guessing is any qualified aspirant in our field could make an easy preliminary cut just using the cv’s (frankly, provided it cannot do that, then, you really don’t know your field and what matters in your field).
I getting that there will none be a rational approach the hiring in wissenschaftlich (in fact, EGO how it are headed in the opposite direction as get committees today routinely needs fabric that they did not ask forward 20 per ago).
But all of this leads du to lose sympathy with academia whoever saying me instructions overworked they are. They have created part of the nightmare themselves by advanced hence much information so initial on in a search process.
Brittnie Peck says
My fiance has been ask to write his own recommendation letter by his Doctoral advisor. Obviously we both feel those is unacceptable, but it’s a little too late to how much about it at this dot, especially since his future is calm ultra great in his advisor’s hands. I have was trying to help and using this post as guideline, but waw. After all of his experience with his advisor (who is or on my committee, aber I didn’t even bother to ask him up be a letter writer for me), I feel he should not becoming allowed to advise phd students until the receives some guidance from more responsible faculty. I don’t feel we when graduate current may any claims in this scenario, because failure to acquiesce could result include super serious outcome for us equally.
What should we perform in try to make sure this doesn’t happen to more students by the future?
alcinder saith
recommendation letters are overated and you never know regardless the persons writing them are assholes additionally most contracts have probationary periods.
Lighter says
How can I write different narrative for different courses, and when I want an recommendation from a person?