In case you’re planning on leaving your current job, you is likely to be apprehensive that asking for references shall be awkward. It would involve talking to someone you’re about to go away behind, or reconnecting with former colleagues you’ve not communicated with in years.
Nonetheless, there’s a right method to go about things that may leave all parties satisfied. You’ll not only receive a reference, but additionally maintain strong skilled relationships for the longer term. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the way to ask for a letter of advice or reference.
What’s a reference letter or letter of advice?
Once you receive a job offer from a brand new company, their HR department will typically request references out of your past employers. This can be a common practice to substantiate that you simply’ve worked at past employers for the time period you’ve claimed and in the proper role.
Alternatively, it is advisable to offer insight into your work ethic and performance through the shape of a advice letter. These should come from someone who can speak positively about your abilities and performance. These are referees.
Within the letter of advice, your chosen referee should discuss the next:
- The time you worked together
- Your characteristics
- Your key skills
- Any contributions you made to significant projects
Who can provide a reference for a job?
Now we’ve established what a reference is, it’s essential to decide on someone appropriate to put in writing it. In most instances, an HR department will have the ability to supply the relevant information, so it’s best to contact them. Do you have to be unable to contact them, a former manager might have the ability to assist, though in most larger organisations it’s common practice for HR to handle this solely.
Who might be your referee for a letter of advice?
In case you want or require something more detailed that indicates your suitability for the role, it’s higher to ask someone who can vouch on your professionalism or capability.
Remember that this cannot act instead of an official reference – at larger employers, the below referees won’t have the ability to put in writing on behalf of the corporate.
So as of preference, these are your best options to ask for a letter of advice:
A current/former manager
Anyone you’ve reported to in your profession to this point can share insights. They’re a chief authority on this matter and their opinion shall be invaluable to the hiring manager.
As a rule, it’s best to ask someone who has managed you as recently as possible. After all, this might be awkward when you’re currently leaving their supervision for pastures recent, but we’ll come onto the way to ask for a letter of advice later.
A current/former colleague
Perhaps you’re disinclined to debate your upcoming exit with management at your existing company. In some cases, employers may consider a letter of advice from a colleague, though it could carry less weight.
A current/former professor or teacher
In case you’re firstly of your profession, it’s alright to ask someone who’s taught you lately.
Friends/acquaintances
In some instances, a friend who holds an expert position (for instance a legal, medical or education skilled) could also be permitted to supply a personality reference. Nonetheless, this ought to be a final resort unless specifically requested by your prospective employer.
Methods to ask someone to offer a letter of advice or reference
Unless you’re reaching out to an HR department or friend, you may find it awkward to have this conversation. Here’s the way to ask for a referee to put in writing a letter in your behalf.
Don’t go in cold
Warm up the conversation before diving into things. If it’s someone you’re working with currently (ideally a manager), be sure that your relationship continues to be amicable. Alternatively, reconnect with any potential referees whom you’ve not spoken to for some time.
Be clear on what you’re asking from them
Once you’re able to ask, be direct and specific. For instance:
“Can I ask for a favour please? I’m currently within the strategy of starting a brand new job and I wondered when you’d be willing to supply a reference/letter of advice for me? I believe you’d have the ability to supply accurate insights on our time working together at [Company].”
In case you’re talking to your current manager, this shouldn’t be how they learn that you simply intend to go away. As a substitute, it should follow on from an earlier conversation after you’ve handed in your notice.
Don’t make it an obligation
It would sound strange, but your objective here is to keep up a robust relationship. Even in case your chosen referee can’t provide anything now, they may have the ability to supply a superb letter of advice or reference in future. Acknowledge that they will decline for a lot of reasons. For instance:
“After all, I understand when you’re unable to supply something.”
Prepare them
If someone agrees to be your referee, it’s best to make it as easy as possible to offer a reference. Provide them with details concerning the recent role and employer, plus any key skills or relevant experience to focus on if it’s for a letter of advice.
Show gratitude for any references
Keep your referee up thus far with proceedings and make sure you thank them. In spite of everything, you may ask for an additional letter of advice in a number of years!
Final thoughts on asking for a letter of advice
Keep in mind that this can be a natural a part of the method in changing jobs. Your chosen referee could have needed to undergo this themselves, just as you are actually, and can probably have written references or letters of advice before. With that in mind, hopefully making your request doesn’t seem so daunting.
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