[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-274820-105":53,"doc-detail-274820-en":127},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":120,"head_meta":122,"extra_data":124,"updated_unix":126},105,"en","how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter","How to Ask for a Reference Letter","","Straightforward guidance for graduate and job candidates seeking a professor’s recommendation. It explains how to choose appropriate referees, when to approach them, and what to communicate initially so professors understand the purpose, fit, and deadline. The document details what materials to provide—transcripts, CV, drafts, and forms—and how to support the process with clear contact information, a covering letter, and optional add-ons such as writing samples and reminders.",{"@graph":63,"@context":119},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter/274820/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter/274820.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Theodora","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-02","2026-09-15",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",13,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105,111,115],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"How should candidates choose which professors to ask for a reference letter?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"Choose referees based on how well you did in their courses or as a TA/RA, how well they know you and how current that knowledge is, and whether their reputation carries weight with the selection committee.","Answer",{"name":112,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":113},"What should candidates provide to a professor when requesting a reference letter?",{"text":114,"@type":110},"Provide an unofficial academic history with explanations for anomalies, an updated resumé or CV, drafts of any statement of interest or research proposal to be submitted, and any forms the professor must fill out.",{"name":116,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What is appropriate etiquette after submitting a reference request?",{"text":118,"@type":110},"Inform the professor whether the application was successful, and if more letters may be needed, send yearly updates on progress. A detailed kind follow-up email can also be helpful if you choose to express extra appreciation.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":121,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":123,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":125,"site_id":56},274820,1790221836,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":128},{"doc_id":125,"user_id":129,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":101,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":73,"language":136,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":137,"faqs":138,"seo_title":139,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":140,"read_time":9},687197207919,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/a000253d6f5f7c60be?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1779446848396160552","How to Ask for a Reference Letter  \nStraightforward advice for job candidates in search of a professorial recommendation  \nby Adam Chapnick  \nIt is one of the most critical steps in a graduate student’s path to permanent academic employment, yet ironically it’s also one of the most mysterious. Asking a professor for a letter, or more likely many letters, of reference can be stressful, and rarely are students instructed on proper etiquette. Fortunately, the process doesn’t have to be intimidating.  \nThe first thing to keep in mind is that the vast majority of professors understand that writing letters of reference is part of their job. Even better, most take pride in being able to help their students succeed in their academic careers and understand that students might not know how to best approach them. Some even go so far as to post instructions for students seeking letters on their websites. But if yours doesn’t, here are some helpful tips on how to get the references you need.  \nWho to choose and when to approach them  \nNot every professor will make the best referee, and some are better for certain applications than others. Although there is little specific research on this issue, anecdotal evidence from academics who have experience on selection committees suggests that you should choose referees based on three criteria (in order of importance):  \n• How well did I do in the professor’s course(s) / how well did I perform as a TA or RA?  \n• How well does the professor know me and/or my work and how up-to-date is that knowledge?  \n• Will the professor’s reputation carry weight with the selection committee?  \nSince professors are asked to rank their students’ past and future abilities in any letter of reference, it makes little sense to solicit a recommendation from someone who cannot say that your work stands out. Convincing letters also give the reader a sense that the professor knows the student well. More recent knowledge is therefore more credible. Finally, a professor who is well known to a committee is particularly credible. Aim to create a list of potential referees five to six weeks before the letter is due and make sure that your list includes at least one or two more names than you need (in case professors are less impressed than you are with your record or simply are not available to write) .  \nThe moment you’ve decided who to approach, find out whether any of those professors have reference letter policies. If they do, follow their directions. If not, approach your professors in the way that you are accustomed to dealing with them. If a potential referee has always been slow to respond to e-mail, then make an appointment to speak in person. If you know that a professor prefers to work from home, a well-written e-mail is appropriate.  \nWhat to say and what to give them  \nIn your initial approach, make sure that each professor:  \n• knows who you are;  \n• understands that you are seeking a strong reference;  \n• knows why you would like a letter from them specifically;  \n• understands that you face a deadline.  \nFull disclosure up front should prevent a reluctant yes. And when it comes to letters of reference, an unenthusiastic recommendation can be worse than no letter at all.  \nBe prepared to provide any referee with a package of information about you immediately.  \nIt should include:  \n• an unofficial copy of your academic history (transcripts) along with an explanation of any aberrations (low grades, missing years, etc. );  \n• an updated resumé or CV;  \n• a draft of any statement of interest or research proposal that will be included in your application;  \n• any forms that the referee will be asked to fill out.  \n• Fill in all of your personal information, along with as much of the professor’s as possible, in advance;  \n• an additional sheet with your personal contact details;  \n• a covering letter that reiterates who you are, the program or position that interests you and why, when the letter is due, what the prof","cbCaicelZBmy9AUZ","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaicelZBmy9AUZ","pdf",22719,"English","# Who to choose and when to approach them\n# What to say and what to give them\n## Initial approach requirements\n## Information package to prepare\n# Thank you etiquette","[{\"question\":\"How should candidates choose which professors to ask for a reference letter?\",\"answer\":\"Choose referees based on how well you did in their courses or as a TA/RA, how well they know you and how current that knowledge is, and whether their reputation carries weight with the selection committee.\"},{\"question\":\"What should candidates provide to a professor when requesting a reference letter?\",\"answer\":\"Provide an unofficial academic history with explanations for anomalies, an updated resumé or CV, drafts of any statement of interest or research proposal to be submitted, and any forms the professor must fill out.\"},{\"question\":\"What is appropriate etiquette after submitting a reference request?\",\"answer\":\"Inform the professor whether the application was successful, and if more letters may be needed, send yearly updates on progress. A detailed kind follow-up email can also be helpful if you choose to express extra appreciation.\"}]","How to Ask for a Reference Letter | PDF",1789483204]