A Letters of Recommendation or a Reference Letter can be viewed as firsthand accounts of you as a person, a worker, or a professional. It is extremely important that your Reference Letter or Letter of Recommendation accurately depicts who you are and paints you in a positive light. Not all hiring managers request these, but if they do, it can make or break if you receive a job offer.

We have listed a few important components to a Letter of Recommendation or Reference Letter that you should have before sharing with a hiring manager or prospective employer.

1) Have someone with credibility write your letter

Although your friends or family may know you best, when writing a Letter of Recommendation or Reference Letter, it is valuable to have someone outside your close circle with credibility write it. Letters of Recommendations or Reference Letters are “expert declarations” of who you are as an individual. Someone like a professor, teacher, former employer, client, or other person of credibility as these will resonate more with hiring managers.

2) Give your writer plenty of time to write

The worst thing you could do is ask someone to take time out of their busy schedules to write something about you but give them very little time to write it. Writing these letters take time and thought. Provide your writer with as much time as you can give them.

3) Don’t hesitate to communicate with your writer

Firstly, you should have a good relationship with your writer. Secondly, feel free to have a discussion with them about what you think would be best to include in your letter. They will most likely want to help you and want to showcase your talents, skills, and personality in the best way possible, but it is perfectly acceptable to communicate with them to include everything you would want them to.

4) Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Although your writer has credibility, you should always proofread what they have written. Poor grammar or simple mistakes can affect a hiring manager’s perspective on you and your Letter of Recommendation or Reference Letter author.

A Letter of Recommendation or Reference Letter are powerful tools that help hiring managers fully assess a candidate. Having a great letter can differentiate yourself from the crowd. Remember, have a great credible source, give plenty of time for your author, communicate, and proofread. If you accomplish all four, you have better positioned yourself than many of your competitors.