Are you looking for a letter of recommendation for a job, a graduate school or a business venture? The best way to approach to ask for it is to make a request to that person.
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Method for Asking for Letter of Recommendation
The following method should be used for asking for a letter of recommendation from a professor:
Make an Early Email Request
Try to make the email for request for the letter at least five or six weeks earlier than the day on which the letter is to be sent. You should not wait for the last moment. Remember that the professors have a busy schedule and they will not be responding promptly to your email.
Select a Suitable Person
Choose a suitable and appropriate professor for this purpose. Before choosing one you should know that the professor knows your name and you have taken several courses with him where he has given you good grades so that he will recommend you well in the letter.
Properly Address the Letter
Although it is an email but you need to address the professor in an appropriate way by his first name. In other cases you can also use his suitable title. This will make a professional look of the email to be sent for recommendation letter.
Writing the Subject Line
In the subject line of the email, write the words “recommendation for (your name)”. This gives the professor an idea about whom the recommendation is to refer too and will also make him recall what kind of student you were.
Beginning Paragraph
The starting paragraph of the email should instantly state what you require form the professor. You should write in the first line that this email is intended for the purpose of seeking a letter of recommendation from him. Do not keep the professor guessing what the email is about.
Mention the Relation With Professor
In the next paragraph you need to highlight the reason why you have chosen him for the recommendation letter. Tell him briefly about yourself and why you are interested in the particular job or academic program that you are seeking.
Mention What is Required From the Professor
The third paragraph should be used as a chance to point it out to the professor what exactly you require from him in the letter and what element should he be focusing on. Tell him about the information that he is not aware of about you and which you wish to be a part of the recommendation.
Ending the Email
End the email by telling the professor about the ways for following up. Tell him about the deadline for the recommendation letter to be sent for the job or academic purpose and how he can send it to him stamped or signed. You can also visit him personally to collect the letter of recommendation. This will create a good impression as you are showing interest in meeting your professor in person.
