Letters of recommendation

[pontifex]

Several managers in my company have offered to write letters of recommendation (henceforth LoRs) for me since I've been laid off.

I don't know how LoRs work. When do I ask for these? Do I just get one and make copies? Do they write one for each job I apply for? When do I send the LoRs to prospective employers? How many LoRs is it appropriate to send to a prospective employer?

 

[spidey07]

Oh hell yes get as many as you can. It makes it even better if you write them for them saying how great you are and then just ask them to sign it. 2 or 3 short paragraphs are fine of a few sentences each. Real simple - 1st paragraph statement, 2nd paragraph meat/examples, 3rd paragraph closing and how they highly recommend you.

 

[pontifex]

i think i must be near a high magnetic field because none of my meters is giving me an accurate reading.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Oh hell yes get as many as you can. It makes it even better if you write them for them saying how great you are and then just ask them to sign it. 2 or 3 short paragraphs are fine of a few sentences each. Real simple - 1st paragraph statement, 2nd paragraph meat/examples, 3rd paragraph closing and how they highly recommend you.

This. It is not sarcasm.

Get letters now. Write 'em yourself and have the managers sign. Copy and use when applying to new jobs.

 

[pontifex]

I write it myself? I thought they wrote it... I have no idea how to write a letter of recommendation or what to write.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: pontifex
I write it myself? I thought they wrote it... I have no idea how to write a letter of recommendation or what to write.

So what kind of job did you lose....head chef at McDonalds??

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: pontifex
I write it myself? I thought they wrote it... I have no idea how to write a letter of recommendation or what to write.

By writing it yourself you make it so all they have to do is sign it. If they agree with it they will. That way they don't have to do any work making it real easy to just hand a pen and ask for it to be signed.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: pontifex
I write it myself? I thought they wrote it... I have no idea how to write a letter of recommendation or what to write.

So what kind of job did you lose....head chef at McDonalds??

your mom didn't mind what job i had so why do you?

 

[daveshel]

I don't think they play much of a role these days. Most of the jobs I've gone for in the last 12-15 years are very specific about the types of materials they will accept in support of an application and I don't know how I could have made use of LoRs.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: daveshel
I don't think they play much of a role these days. Most of the jobs I've gone for in the last 12-15 years are very specific about the types of materials they will accept in support of an application and I don't know how I could have made use of LoRs.

You leave them with the interviewer along with your references list all in a nice folder with extra copies of your resume.