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Lists materials to share and supports drafting an effective self-prepared letter.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/","Template",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/","Letters",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/references-and-recommendation-letters-career-guide/274786/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/references-and-recommendation-letters-career-guide/274786.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Anda","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-29","2026-09-15",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",13,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What is the difference between a reference and a letter of recommendation?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"A reference provides contacts who can describe your work and character, often through email or telephone. 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A list of references is a list of people (often former supervisors or professors) who know about your work and can offer more perspective than an interview can about what you are like as an employee. Potential employers may contact references by email or telephone.  \nSELECTING A RECOMMENDER/REFERENCE  \nHow do you choose whom to ask for a letter of recommendation or reference?  \nRemember that a recommendation anyone makes for you puts the reputation of the recommender on the line. Select someone:  \n􀂾 Who knows your relevant skills, abilities and experience.  \n􀂾 Who you have kept informed of your progress over some period of time (holiday greetings, periodic email updates/check-ins) .  \n􀂾 Who you believe agrees with and will support your chosen course of action.  \nMAKING THE ASK  \n􀂾 Particularly for letters of recommendation, make sure they have advance notice and enough time to prepare a good letter of recommendation. (Keep their calendar in mind as well as your own-holidays and exams/grading periods are not good times for writing letters of recommendation.)  \n􀂾 Send an advance email or make a brief phone call to if they can write you a letter of recommendation or be listed as a reference. Make it comfortable for them to either say yes, noor maybe while maintaining the relationship.  \no Tell them what is involved with this specific opportunity. (i.e. listing name and contact information; talking to an employer; writing a letter of recommendation; filling out anon-line recommendation form) .  \no On-line recommendation forms are the least flexible and often most time consuming.  \no Explain the expectation clearly to them such as \"You will receive an email from XYZ asking you to log on to ABC website and fill out a form. I will send you a hard copy of the form so you can see what is required.\"  \n􀂾 If needed, be open to having a further conversation with them about your qualifications and interest in this opportunity.  \nRECOMMENDATION LETTER PROCESS  \nThe general rule is to MAKE IT EASY for the person to whom you are sending your request fora reference/recommendation. There is a good chance, especially if they are a professor, that othe","cbCaifJ3pv0j8kYV","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaifJ3pv0j8kYV","pdf",851616,"English","# Overview\n## Selecting a Recommender/Reference\n## Making the Ask\n## Recommendation Letter Process\n## Information to Provide to Your Recommender\n## Drafting Your Own Letter of Recommendation\n## Recommendation Letter Outline\n## Sample Letter of Recommendation","[{\"question\":\"What is the difference between a reference and a letter of recommendation?\",\"answer\":\"A reference provides contacts who can describe your work and character, often through email or telephone. A letter of recommendation is a written reference that offers detailed information about your character and work ethic.\"},{\"question\":\"How should you choose a recommender or reference?\",\"answer\":\"Select someone who knows your relevant skills and experience, who has been kept informed of your progress over time, and who agrees with and will support your chosen course of action.\"},{\"question\":\"What should you provide to your recommender when requesting a letter or reference?\",\"answer\":\"Provide supporting materials such as your resume and related documents, process specifics like deadlines and links, and a clear explanation of why you are applying and how your goals align with the opportunity’s requirements.\"}]","References and Recommendation Letters - Career Guide | PDF",1789482922]