1. Presented by: Dr. Allen E. Lipscomb, PsyD, LCSW
Requesting Letters of Recommendations and Building Network Relationships with Faculty
Presented by:
Dr. Allen E. Lipscomb, PsyD, LCSW
Friday, May 11th

2. Agenda Overview of letters of recommendation
Good vs. great letters of recommendation
Tips for getting great letters
Tips on how to form network relationships with faculty
Q&A

3. Letters of Recommendations
What purpose do letters of recommendation serve?
Types of recommendations

4. Purpose of letters of rec.
A letter of recommendation is “expert testimony” regarding the ability of a person to perform a task. The tasks may include performing a job, succeeding in graduate school, or profiting from a particular experience (such as foreign study/travel).
Note: Everything in the letter supports the act of making an informed recommendation.

5. Informed Recommendations
An informed recommendation is no small matter for the letter writer.
Graduate programs, for instance, make very clear they need letters which comment on a student’s likelihood of succeeding in graduate school.
Recommenders must be confident of the applicant’s ability or they are unable to write convincingly.
There is some risk to professional credibility if the writer consistently writes letters for applicant’s who are not qualified.

6. Levels of Confidence Four levels of confidence:
1) Strongly recommend (writer is very confident of the applicant’s ability);
2) Recommend (writer is confident);
3) Recommend with reservations (writer is somewhat confident, but has specific areas of doubt);
4) Do not recommend (writer does not believe in applicant’s ability to succeed).
Applicants should not ask writers who cannot support them at the first two levels of confidence to write letters on their behalf.

7. What kind of letters are there?
1) “field specific/expert” and
2) “character/non-expert”
The “field specific” letter writer is an “industry expert” within the applicant’s field
A “character” letter is usually written by someone who is outside or on the applicant’s industry. This person comments on other traits the applicant possesses that should lead to success.
A “character” letter is still an expert’s testimony; in this case, the expert comes from outside the applicant’s intended field. Character letters often come from volunteer or work supervisors, internships, outside professors.
2 Basic Types Rec. Letters

8. Sometimes…
Very often, academic programs ask the applicant to provide 2-3 letters from field specific experts and 1 character-type letter. Or they may ask for 2 academic and 1professional/work letter of recommendation

9. Sample Letters Review the good and outstanding letters. Discuss:
What makes the outstanding letter more effective?

10. Good Letters vs. Great Letters
Indicate strong academic performance
List positive qualities of applicant
Make general recommendations
Demonstrate that the writer knows the student well
Indicate understanding of the letter’s purpose
Give specific examples of the student skills and experiences relevant to the opportunity

11. Tips for Obtaining Great Letters
Network to build strong relationships
Pick the most strategic recommenders:
Academic vs. professional references
Alignment with program/scholarship goals
Give advance notice

12. What’s wrong with this email?
Requesting the Letter
What’s wrong with this ?

13. Tips for Obtaining Great Letters
When making a letter of recommendation request, include:
Description of program/job/scholarship
Exact wording of what should be covered in the letter -> skills, qualifications and accomplishments to be highlighted
List of specific, relevant experience: class projects, research, papers and grades for faculty; responsibilities and accomplishments for supervisors
Resume, cover letter or personal statement used to apply
Deadline and specific submission instructions
Name and address of letter recipient

14. Tips for Obtaining Great Letters
Communicate via one trail/thread
Be timely and responsive to additional information requests from your reference
Drafting your letter and sending it to the recommender
Show thanks!
Keep in touch

15. Why faculty may say “No”:
If they feel that they cannot be emphatically positive in support of a student
If they recall little more about a student than the recorded grades
If they think that they are not the best person to write a letter
If a student approaches them in a highly unprofessional manner
If they simply do not have the time or material to write a good or great letter for a student.
If they feel as though you are not a good candidate for the program (scholarship, job, internship, etc.).

16. Remember
Ask for a recommendation letter from people who know you and your capabilities, i.e., former employers, teachers, coaches, community or corporate leaders, influential colleagues—people who have known you a long time. Relatives are not a good choice. Three recommendation letters are enough.
Be sure to give them enough time (3-4 weeks, if possible) to write the recommendation letter.
When you talk to them, state your goals and suggest what they might write to help you achieve those goals. Coach them to be specific; general praise is a waste of space. Don't be shy. A recommendation letter is a sales letter to sell you. Now is the time to brag!
Follow up your request for a recommendation letter by writing a review of your conversation. Give suggestions for your recommendation letter. You may need to put words in their mouths. When you send them the follow-up letter, be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Then, feel free to contact them in a couple of weeks to confirm that they are aware of your deadlines.
Once you receive your recommendation letter, send a thank-you note. Tell them about your success and how they helped you.

17. Why students might not ask:
The student feels uncomfortable asking the professor (this is especially true for students of color compared to their white counterparts)
They don’t want to inconvenience the professor; don’t feel “worthy” to ask; culturally you don’t ask because it wasn’t something that was modeled, encouraged or supported
What else…

18. How to Build Networking Relationships with Faculty

19. What stops you? Fear of putting yourself out there
Fear and discomfort around speaking up in class and outside of class
Not knowing how to initiate contact
What else…?

20. How to Build Networking Relationships with Faculty
Every interaction is an opportunity to network. Stay in touch with former employers, professors, and personal contacts who have connections that might be helpful to your career. Develop new contacts and research career opportunities by asking.

21. Continue
Faculty often give talks on their current research, or commenting on contemporary events in the field. These open talks are advertised on department mailing lists or on flyers posted around campus.
If you see something that interests you…go! As an engaged audience member, you can ask questions or approach the speaker after the lecture to follow up. If you are really interested, ask if that professor has office hours that you can attend in order to continue the conversation.

22. Tips for Networking Seek out faculty with similar interest
Seek out faculty with areas in which you would like additional experience/knowledge
Read faculty bios on website, social media (i.e. linkedin, IG, twitter, etc.)
Ask about research opportunities, apprenticeship, mentorship, projects, etc.

23. Closing

24. Questions?

25. Thank you!
Allen Lipscomb, PsyD, MSW, LCSW Assistant Professor Department of Social Work College of Social and Behavioral Sciences