Would you Like a Letter of Recommendation/Reference From Me?
Good reference letters take time – please make requests with AT LEAST 2-weeks before the application deadline.
STEP 1: Email me to request that I can provide a recommendation
STEP 2: Complete the reference request information form
Congratulations in taking the first step of applying for an opportunity!
I want to help you succeed in your application(s) for fellowships, internships, graduate programs, jobs, and anything else you dream of! By filling out the linked form, you help me write an accurate, supportive, detailed, and targeted letter (or verbal recommendation) – and that’s the best kind. You also help me keep track of deadlines and details, which is important: I write a large number of letters each year.
- Complete the form for each recommendation or reference you are requesting.
- Make sure that your last name is part of the name of each file that you send me. I tack on my name and a date formatted year-month-day, because then the versions will be easily sorted by freshness – e.g., “jobdescription_Martin_20180301.docx.”
- Start your applications early. Often I can’t do anything until the application system sends me an email, which means that I don’t know what the application requires of me – a freeform letter, a letter addressing particular questions, or answers to particular questions in text boxes, etc.
- Send me all of your application essays or statements, well in advance of your deadlines (2 weeks minimum), to help me write the best letter possible. If time allows, I will also provide you editorial and substantive comments on your materials.
- Please refrain from telling me how much time it will (won’t) take to write your letter (as in “you should be able to use most of what you wrote in my other letter, so it shouldn’t take very much time to write this one”).
- I try and create all letters to be gender neutral – using “the applicant” or “the candidate”. This can reduce implicit or unconscious bias in the review of recommendations.
- Have fun, express yourself, focus, work hard, get as much advice and feedback as you can, and ALWAYS spell-check and carefully proofread!
And remember: the more you practice, the luckier you get.
