Announcements  Operation Smile Club —TODAY after school (bring cookies or drinks)  French Club —Thursday  GSWLA Academy Night —TONIGHT 6pm  Care By Community —OpSmile & Noble Teens will be running the meal in February…see me or Ms. Murray for items we need donated  Raking Volunteers Needed —Saturday 12/19 Field hockey & Gymnastics teams are raking yards around Tallwood from 8-1. Contact Ms. Platte me via to confirm they will help by Friday. They need to bring a rake, gloves and lunch.

Today’s Agenda  Finish Cover Letters (30 minutes) —  Upload your ROUGH DRAFT to Edmodo (if you haven’t )  Type your FINAL DRAFT and upload it to your PORTFOLIO  Letters of Reference (20 minutes)  Dos & Don’ts of requesting a reference  Make your “Long List”  Make your “Short List”  Request Letters (30 minutes)  Write letters of request to your “short list” people

Reference Letters

What is it exactly…? A reference letter is not just “fluff…” A well written reference provides the reader with information that isn't found elsewhere (your resume, cover letter, etc). It is a detailed discussion from the writer’s perspective of the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you unique and set you apart from “the rest.”

Who to ask… Reference letters should always be gathered from a variety of sources: -Former employers or volunteer coordinators -Teachers, counselors, coaches -Mentors, clergy -Friends of the family

Asking for a Reference— DO’s  Ask someone who will be positive and thorough in your reference letter.  Ask someone who has known you long enough to honestly speak to your character, work ethic, skills, etc.  Provide a copy of your resume so the writer can include additional information about you as a candidate.  Present your request in person (if possible) or by mail.

Asking for a Reference The best letters are written by someone who know you well… o Knows your work and work habits o Can describe your work positively o Has a high opinion of you o Be able to favorably compare you with your peers o Be well known in the field o Be able to write a positive letter o Is able to evaluate your academic performance, discuss personal characteristics and capacity to work with others o Can discuss skills and evaluate your level of professionalism

Asking for a Reference— DONT’s  DON’T ask for reference letters from only one “aspect” of your life—for example, from 3 of your coaches, or 2 of your former English teachers  DON’T wait until the last minute and expect them to write it overnight! They have lives too!  DON’T ask for reference letters from someone you know won’t give a glowing reference— quantity ≠ quality…

Asking for a Reference— DONT’s  DON’T ask for a reference from someone you have only know a brief time and/or only know socially.  DON’T your request (unless absolutely necessary—i.e. they live out of the country  DON’T push for a positive response. o Some will decline your request for a letter of recommendation. Accept it and move on! o He or she is doing a favor because the resulting letter would not help…and may even hurt.

Asking for a Reference— The “Long” & “Short” Lists  Make a list of 10+ people you would consider asking for a reference.  Group them—i.e. coaches, teachers, etc.  Rank each group (consider which would give you the most “well-rounded” references for each).  The top 4-5 are your “Short List”  Prepare a letter FOR EACH and deliver them! (Don’t just “drive by” them—but, don’t have a 20 minute meeting to drop off the letter either…)

TIPS Try to arrange it so that the letters complement rather than merely echo one another.  Have one you know will write about the quality of your academic performance and diligence.  Have another address your oral communication skills, leadership abilities, moral character and personality.  Have one talk about your work habits, your motivation, and what you contributed (such as to an organization where you volunteered).